The holiday season is traditionally a time when the good will of men, women, and children abounds. Since my childhood, Thanksgiving and Christmas have always seemed to bring out the best in me and those around me. It was the time of year that moved us to show more kindness and generosity toward one another, and that’s a wonderful thing! During Thanksgiving, I appreciated the blessing of being able to come together with family and friends to celebrate the many things we were grateful for in a festive, jovial atmosphere filled with lots of delicious food. For me and my family, Christmas was a highly revered day filled with gifts and the good cheer that went with acknowledging Jesus as the giver of all the goodness in our lives.

As I reminisce about past holiday celebrations during these strange and chaotic times, I’m especially grateful to God for His abundant love, grace, and mercy through the years. As I see people in our nation and throughout the world experiencing unprecedented suffering and sorrow, I realize that it’s more important now than ever to hold on to what is good — good thoughts, good people, and good deeds.

It’s imperative that I maintain control of my thoughts because every action begins with a thought. Good actions begin with good thoughts! I’m convinced that by embracing all the good that is available to me (even good memories), the stressors around me lose their deleterious effects on my spirit. This shift in focus helps me guard my mindset and emotional well-being, so that I am positioned to contribute to the greater good. I’m mindful that one key to living an abundant life is to think on “… whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report…”(Philippians 4:8 NKJV)

It’s easy to think that the more I pour into my own satisfaction, comfort, and well-being, the happier and more fulfilled I’ll be. However, as I mature spiritually, I realize that I’m always at my best when I’m making a concerted effort to do more good for the benefit of humanity, especially during the holidays. I’m taking inventory of what is good in my own life and I’m finding tangible ways to let that good emanate from me into the lives of others.