"The Most wonderful time of the year"

Around late October through December, we start to hear the phrase, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. I’m almost positive that phrase all started with the famous song by Andy Williams. I have heard many people–even a prominent political figure–recently say that this is the season of giving, the season to count our blessings, to create blessings and be grateful. Well, I don’t believe in waiting for a certain time to express these sentiments anymore. I’ve learned regardless of the circumstances that it's very beneficial to my spirit to exercise a grateful heart. I've acquired this knowledge through much adversity, and having lived near the poverty line to understand that there is great power in generosity. 

True short story, one Christmas when I was little, we didn’t have a lot of money (my dad was usually gambling it away) or any Christmas gifts. I think I was about 8 years of age. There were five of us kids. My mom had a friend who must’ve known we didn’t have much and she gave us a huge box. It was filled with toys, and I can’t remember what else. All I know is that it was the best Christmas. Her generosity changed our young lives, even if for only a moment. I believe in counting my blessings every day, because somebody somewhere has it much worse. Like our houseless neighbors that reside in tents, and various places. We live in a time where being mindful of these things is not always simple to do. We’re so inundated with content, the list of what you may see on a daily basis via various social media platforms is endless. Innumerable amounts of people posting their clothing hauls for a trip, new cars, perceived happy family pics, how their business is booming and so forth. It can leave a person wondering, how can I obtain that? 

If you spend time wallowing in comparison, trying to figure out how to obtain what you see, or what you heard about someone else having, you may miss the opportunities in front of you. Opportunities for what, one may ask? Opportunities to be grateful for what you have right now, and not bypass the moment to be generous with what you have, if you’re able to do so. I’m certain that I don’t want to be the person so focused on getting the “bag”, or so focused on obtaining whatever it is that demonstrates the perception of “winning", that I miss a moment to be a blessing, or the fact that I am alive is a blessing in itself. Which should cause me to be grateful, right? Hopefully, you can see where I’m going with this. Imagine making a positive impact on someone in the month of May, when they needed it most, instead of waiting to be generous during the months of November and December. 

How many people, mom’s, dad’s, or senior citizens trying to purchase food for themselves or family that was short on cash could get help? Imagine being that person stepping in before someone had to go to the food bank, or had to leave their groceries behind.… Can you imagine everyday citizens of the global community, those that could do something, would actually do something? No, I’m not leaving myself out here, I am a global citizen as well. By the way there is absolutely nothing wrong with needing a food bank, I’ve been there myself before. Thank God for food banks and institutions that work year round to be a blessing to households that experience food insecurity.

As a global community member, I hope as a society we can stop waiting until the last quarter of the year to spread kindness, generosity, to be grateful, or for it to be “the most wonderful time of the year”. When possible, as individuals let us create these opportunities year round, in an effort to foster a more beautiful world individually and for the global collective. 


Humanely,


April Etuk
Lovely Coils 
Founder & Owner