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:
Joe: How a Homeless Man Changed My Life
I Found My Holiday Spirit…and You Can Too!
Daily Word Prompt: Inheritance
I am with you . Let us get that magical feeling back . It is so inspiring to help others in any way we can . The world definitely needs more love and joy
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Yes! I think we should spread kindness throughout the year. But, there is something about Christmas that makes me feel the need even more. I little gesture can make a big difference! Thanks for your comment 🙂
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Wonderful ways to celebrate! Wishing your family a Merry Christmas!
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Thank you! Have a Merry Christmas yourself as well!
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I love every word of this. It really is about finding magic.
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Thank you! I remember as a kid how I waited ALL year for Christmas! It was the best time of year! Since I’ve become an adult, some of that wonderstruck feeling has evaporated. I’m finding that, by helping others gain a little Christmas magic, it’s helping me regain the magic myself!
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Yes. It is amazing how that works for us.
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That is so awesome that you and your kids do all those wonderful things for people! I’m sure that everyone appreciates what you guys are doing!
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Thank you! Sometimes, I step back and I just see so much pain and sadness in our world. I figure, if I can do the little things like this, it may just bring a little bit of happiness back into someone’s life who needs the reminder they are special, loved and appreciated!
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You’re welcome!
I will definitely say that you are doing that for sure! I think that you went above and beyond!
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That wonderstruck feeling is found in giving to others… that is the beautiful theme of your post, I believe. Giving…so much joy in that. Thank you for this. Huge hugs!
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Hugs 🤗
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It is good that we start from an early age to teach the kids that Christmas is not all about receiving presents, its about celebrating the birth of our Christ by helping each other through sharing and caring. I am sure that I’ll be on here again but if not Merry Christmas to you and the family.
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Yes! It’s so easy to get caught up in the gift getting/giving. I want to keep the tradition of giving (of our time and love) going strong.
Thank you! Merry Christmas to your family as well!
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totally late to the part on this post, but totally loved it!
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Never too late 😉 thank you!
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Well said “Wonderstruck Momma”! Seems like all the Wonderful Technology has numbed our Sense of Wonder – time to re-vitalize wonder and curiousity and childlike joy in each of us. I like what you said about acts of kindness – anyone can do that!
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Kindness never gets old! It’s the perfect gift we can share with anyone!
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Exactly! May you have an awesome and meaningful Christmas and continue to sprinkle much pixie dust via your wonderful blog during the coming year!
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Thank you so much! You as well!
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