Wellness Wednesday

Being wonderstruck….

Wonderstruck can be defined as experiencing a sudden feeling of awed delight or wonder.

This past Sunday, my pastor John Burgess gave a great sermon about being wonderstruck. It’s left me thinking all week about things in life that no-longer leave me feeling “wonderstruck.” The things I once found jaw-dropping and yet now, I over look them.

I couldn’t help but relate this to Christmas.

I want to be able to look at Christmas with wonderstruck eyes like I did as a child…like my children do.

But, I struggle to do so.

I want to appreciate the splendor of the lights decorating my island.

I want to not worry about offending someone by wishing them a Merry Christmas.

I want to not feel pressured to make it the “perfect Christmas” like I posted about here: I Found My Holiday Spirit…and You Can Too!

I want to not worry about the bills that are going to show up in January as a result of “Black Friday.”

I want to not worry about the new unwanted weight I’m noticing on my waist (I haven’t even baked cookies yet!?!?!)

Most of all, I DO want to be wonderstruck again!

Part of the problem is simply just being an adult. But, I’m going to do my best to be done “adulting” for a bit and just enjoy all Christmas brings!

I’m going to refocus the rest of the holiday season.

I’m going to focus less on the things crowding my mind currently and focus more on the magic that is Christmas.

It’s time to move on to the fun part of Christmas-doing our random acts of kindness around the community.

I’m going to shift gears towards serving others.

To me, that is what Christmas is about. Celebrating Jesus’s birth. What better way to celebrate than to be His hands and feet by serving others!

I am a big believer that giving to others with a cheerful heart is one of the most rewarding feelings ever.

There are so many ways to serve all year. The need is even higher during Christmas! Here are a few things we do to give you some ideas:

We start each Christmas season by gathering up new toys and packing up boxes to donate to Operation Christmas Child. I meant to blog about this to help spread the word. But, I didn’t get a chance to since we had a lot going on with my father-in laws passing. But, we DID make it a priority to participate. It’s an organization I feel very passionate about. Each year since my little man was 2 or 3, I’ve had the kids choose toys to pack a shoebox full of to give a child who is in need this Christmas. We typically do a few boy boxes and a few girl boxes. If this is something you are interested in participating in, click here for more information: Operation Christmas Child

We have the annual Wreaths Across America event this weekend where the kids and I are volunteering to lay wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers. I’m REALLY looking forward to it and have been for a while. Here I blogged about our experience last year: Honoring and Remembering

We also have a batch of blessing bags we are ready to distribute at the park to some of our local homeless. If you aren’t familiar with blessing bags, I talk about them in my blog post here: Joe: How a Homeless Man Changed My Life

Tomorrow is baking day! We are going to bake cookies for everyone on our block as well as our mailman, teachers, school volunteers and librarians. It’s a very busy day of baking (usually takes us a few days). But, I think it’s important to get the kids involved in serving others and experiencing first hand the joy that comes when we can witness our faith through our actions.

Kindness sees no religion.

Kindness can be expressed to anyone whether they are celebrating Christmas or not.

It is my hope that they will see something different in us. That the recipients of our Christmas Child boxes, cookie gifts and blessing bags will feel the love we put into them and realize that this love comes from the one we are celebrating.

Maybe this will spark a desire for them to feel the same fire we feel. Even if it doesn’t, I pray it brings a smile to their face. I pray it gives them a feeling of love they may not be feeling otherwise. Who knows? Maybe they are experiencing their first holiday without a loved one like we are. But, lets face it, God’s love and a little chocolate can go a long way in providing some much-needed comfort when we need it!

Doing these simple acts of kindness helps put that wonderstruck feeling back into Christmas.

Serving others reminds there is more to Christmas than gifts and attending holiday parties. Knowing that I am impacting someone’s life for the better and spreading a little joy during a season that leaves many of us feeling burnt out, is such a gratifying feeling.

I may not be able to leave my kids a big inheritance. But, I do want to leave them with the desire to help others.

Does your family do anything to serve during Christmas? I’d love some new ideas! Drop a comment below!

Friends, let’s try to be WONDERSTRUCK this Christmas.

Let’s focus less on the things distracting us from experiencing the magic Christmas can bring us. Let’s not let it prevent us from spreading a little joy and love to others.

Mele Kalikimaka my friends!

With Aloha,

Lacy

Featured Blog Posts:

Honoring and Remembering

Joe: How a Homeless Man Changed My Life

I Found My Holiday Spirit…and You Can Too!

Daily Word Prompt: Inheritance