Happy Holidays?

The holidays are an interesting time. For some, it can be a joyous time, full of excitement, family reunion, and celebration. For others, it may be filled with sorrow, loneliness, or struggle from many different places. People all over the world celebrate many different traditions during the winter months. It is easy to get enveloped in your tradition. In the States, it is even easier to become inundated with the holiday commercialism and mirth.

A few years ago, I broke my oath to avoid the Black Friday tradition and began working for a retail company. I still don’t know if I would enjoy the consumer side of this commercial holiday, but I quickly discovered that working the retail side of this day is one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever been blessed with. I share this not to say everyone should rush out and start working retail. Rather, I have reflected upon this as an author. The things we do to support our writing, the choices we make to pursue happiness in our lives, and the people we impact with our writing are components of who we are and what shapes our lives. Making these decisions deliberately and with intention can help to ensure joy and prosperity not just for ourselves but for those we impact.

Prosperity is another funny word. I would argue that prosperity has nothing to do with money. Prosperity has everything to do with joy and love. My most recent book is my first children’s book. I would love for it to find great success. I think very highly of it. However, I work with several young mothers. I intend to give away many copies of this book, knowing it will result in a loss in sales, but also knowing it will bring prosperity to me and those around me. When I first published this book. I had hoped to see great sales, to find amazing success. I had great aspirations. Wow, my sites were set high. It was the holidays after all, and my timing was perfect. But I had no marketing budget and no time to push the sales. But I want to share my tale. I think people should enjoy Vermont and its people. I believe more than anything else that it is a story worth sharing.

So I share this holiday thought with you. Choose your path to prosperity with intention. Decide what prosperity will and should look like in your life. Is it about money, joy, kindness, sharing, or some other virtue? Define it, pursue it, and live it. Live deliberately and find joy through these holidays. Happy Holidays to you.