Make your holiday bright with those things that matter most in life

The holidays are upon us! When people say “I can’t believe how FAST this year went by” it seems like such a cliché. But it’s not. Time is filled with swift transition and if you don’t stay engaged with your life, it will pass you by. It’s easy to disconnect and we all do it. Trials can knock the wind out of us and leave us sad, disappointed and paralyzed. But at the end of this year I want to encourage you to push through and get back into the business of your life.

Which leads me to this. The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for singles who feel like they’ve spent yet another year of fruitless dating. Yet another year without a family of their own. And it can feel lonely and hopeless – like you’ll never have a family of your own – when you see all the activities and messages of the holidays are centered around family, togetherness and having the perfect party, gift or gathering. But if you love God – no matter where you are in your life – the holidays are the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people you have in your life who love, support and want what’s best for you. Because the truth is that it doesn’t matter how many material things you have or how comfortable your life is. When you’re single the quality of your life and your relationship with God are greatly impacted by the quality of the community that you place yourself in. The Bible tells us that God places the lonely in families. So we’re going to make sure that this is the holiday season that you make bright and live with the things and people that really matter in this life.

So here’s what you can do to make sure that you make the most of this holiday season if you’re single:

1)      Reach out to friends and family who love and care about you: There’s nothing worse than dealing with what I call the Peninah’s of the world. You know…the ones who make sure to nag you every time they see you by asking different variations of the questions “Why are you still single?” So reach out to friends and family members who have demonstrated that they accept you no matter your marital status and who even try to connect you with other singles – because they want nothing more than to see you happy.

2)      Participate in group activities: But make sure they’re things that will help you enjoy the traditions of the holiday seasons of your culture, but that also welcome you no matter your marital or relationship status. This will keep you from being depressed about what you don’t have.

3)      Host a dinner: If you can’t cook, hire a caterer! Or if you’re on a budget ask other friends to help you host a pot luck dinner where you all can fellowship and enjoy each other’s company. The point is to do something kind and thoughtful for the people who have helped you, loved you, loved you and ministered to you during your best and worst moments of life.

4)      Enjoy the down time: The holidays are marked by slowing down and disconnecting a bit so that people can enjoy their families and have a break. So when you have down time alone without your friends and family, make sure to reflect on all of the good things that have happened to and for you this year. Don’t focus on negative things while you’re alone. Turn on some praise and worship music and sing like no one but God can hear you. Speak positively over your life while you pray to God in your alone time. And thank God for what He’s done and will do in the future.

If these tips inspire you to try new things this holiday season, that’s even better. Just make sure to make the most of wherever you are and to show appreciation for the people you have in your life. That’s what this special season is about, and that’s how to make it bright and filled with what matters the most in this life.

Bio:

Afi Pittman is an author and radio show host. She is also active duty Navy and has traveled the world and lived abroad. Her company, Author of Faith Enterprises helps today’s single Christian woman to “live right, love life and find Mr. Right”.

Link: http://www.authorofmyfaith.com/home