By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC
During this holiday time, the lyrics of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” made famous by Bing Crosby, always remind me of going home to my roots in Michigan. The song talks about a person being counted on, having snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. All those aspects of the holiday with my family in the North resonate with me.
Mom would always “plan on me” to come back home to be with the family. She would always cook lots of good Italian food to celebrate this special holiday. I still can see all the beautifully wrapped presents under the tree, and I am gently reminded of the long lines, many trips to the various stores and the effort Mom put into making the holiday special for all of us.
But this year, as we gather together to celebrate the holidays, let’s not just focus on going or being home for the holidays — wherever that might be for you — and all the festive cheer but also on the incredible opportunity this season presents to become the best version of ourselves. This time of reflection and renewal is a perfect moment to examine where we are, where we want to be and the steps we need to take to get where we need to go.
The holidays can be a time to look inward. What are the areas of our lives where we want to see improvement? Do we want to be more in the here and now, more compassionate or more health conscious? Let’s use this time to set obtainable goals, for the New Year and beyond.
While giving gifts to others is a beautiful tradition, remember the most important gift we can give is self-care. Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body and spirit. Whether it’s a long walk, a relaxing bath or simply reading a good book, prioritize your well-being.
And what about our circle of friends and creating meaningful connections with others? We do that with our close family and friends, but how about expanding that circle through networking and joining interest groups? What if, amid the festivities during this time of the year, we made a conscious effort to connect deeply with our loved ones and reach out to new folks who could enrich our lives even more? Put away the distractions, maybe even put your phone in your purse or pocket, listen attentively and share meaningful conversations. These moments of connection are what truly matter during the holidays.
We all know that every positive change starts with that first step. This holiday season let’s commit to making small, sustainable improvements in our lives. Whether it’s eating more healthfully, practicing mindfulness or reaching out to someone who needs support, every action counts.
Also, as we transition into the New Year, let’s not see it as only a fresh start but as a continuation of our new path to becoming the best version of ourselves. Let’s carry the spirit of the holidays — the joy, the generosity, the commitment to self-improvement — with us throughout the year.
Let’s start a new tradition of celebrating the potential within each of us to create a brighter, more fulfilling life, one positive choice at a time.
Key points to remember:
1. Focus on being thankful and self-reflection.
Use the holidays to appreciate what you have and identify areas for personal growth.
2. Prioritize self-care.
Make time for activities that rejuvenate you, both physically and mentally.
3. Cultivate meaningful connections.
Foster deeper relationships with loved ones through quality time and open communication.
4. Take small steps for an eventual big impact.
Commit to making small positive changes that can significantly improve your life.
5. Bring the spirit of the holiday forward.
Let the holiday spirit of generosity and self-improvement guide you throughout the year. As you drive to that next Christmas celebration, should you hear that Bing Crosby song on the radio, make sure you count on yourself to come home to who you really are. May that song’s snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree remind you that you are your greatest gift. When you realize that, then sharing all the love and goodwill with family and friends will make coming home to who you really are that much more special in the New Work World and beyond!
Mary Ann Faremouth
Mary Ann holds a CPC (Certified Personnel Consultant) credential, was certified by the Board of Regents of the National Association of Personnel Consultants in Washington, D.C., and was awarded an Advanced Communicator Bronze, Advanced Leader Bronze Awards by Toastmasters. She cofounded Jobs: Houston magazine in 1997. Mary Ann maintains affiliations with professional organizations, including oil and gas, financial, construction, IT, and structural, mechanical, and civil engineering. (www.faremouth.com)
Mary Ann’s award-winning first book Revolutionary Recruiting has been listed by Book Authority as Number #1 Best 100 Recruiting Books; #1 Best Seller, Non-Fiction, Amazon (2019); Top 20 Recruiting books, Recruitics; Readers’ Choice finalist (2019), Houston Literary Awards; Best Non-Fiction (2018), Best Cover (2019), and Best Self-Help (2018), Authors Marketing Guild. Her books support individuals and corporations, tap into each candidate’s unrealized potential to find the right person for each job, maximizing both employee satisfaction and the employer’s bottom line. Mary Ann showcases her expertise of the recruiting world on a monthly podcast for The Price of Business and weekly articles for USA Business. Her new workbook, Revolutionary Reinvention, was recently released on Amazon. Mary Ann lives in Houston, Texas.
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