Cheer
I've never been a fan of cheerleaders. Not them personally, but the big bows, the pom poms, the big smiles, the high voices...it all seemed a bit fake to me. I couldn't understand how you could just turn on that much cheer, that fast. Ah, but then I learned that sometimes you have to smile to keep from crying. You have to make yourself focus on the goodness of God to truly have a cheerful heart and a spirit of thanksgiving. I've learned that when you count your blessings they outnumber your woes. I've learned that cheer is contagious. I've learned that God loves a cheerful giver. I've learned that I have more than I need, so giving shouldn't be hard. In the words of Lil Duval, "I've got a lot to be smilin' for." And if you think about it, you do too.
Xenial
It's holiday season. Fall decorations are on sale. Turkeys can be preordered. Holiday menus are being planned. Party invitations are being sent. It's all about hospitality. As you prepare your homes to entertain guests, make sure that you prepare your heart. Make sure that you have a xenial spirit. A xenial spirit is a hospitable spirit, one that is giving, loving and kind.
"Hospitality is not about inviting people into your perfect home, it’s about inviting them into your imperfect heart."
Gratitude
I always try to instill an "attitude of gratitude" into my girls. I want them to appreciate everything they have, and to understand that there are people who are less fortunate than them. I want them to say, "please" and "thank you." I want them to be aware of world events without them having a fear of the world. I want them to know that you give out of the kindness of your heart, and not with an expectation of receiving something in return. I want them to know that but by the grace of God, it could be us. It is recognizing that "it could have been me." Rather, "it should have been me." Gratitude is taking the time to count your blessings.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." -Melody Beattie