As the year comes to a close, it’s time to pause for moment and take some time embrace the wisdom that the holiday season brings. Each of these quotes and reflections below reminds us of what really matters in life. Keep reading to check them out!
Year-End Reflections & Quotes to Help You Embrace the Wisdom of the Season
Before the craziness of the holiday season really begins (which happens right around the time Santa makes his way down 34th street on Thanksgiving), I’m trying to take a breather and spend some time in quiet reflection (or at least as quiet as it gets with kids and a dog).
The theory is that by thinking about what Christmas really means to me, and what I have to look forward to in the new year, I’ll feel more “grounded” once things start getting crazy. Here are some of my favorite reflection quotes that I think capture the things we really need to think about as 2023 comes to a close. They’re not in any particular order, aside from the very last one. I hope you enjoy them!
Becoming a Child Again at Christmastime
Laura Ingalls Wilder encourages us to tap into the nostalgia of childhood, to let the memories and love of family shape our lives, not just during the holidays but throughout the entire year every year.
The Magic of Generosity
The holiday season is not just about receiving but about the joy we get from giving and making a positive impact on others. I think this is one of the most important reflections that remember.
Finding Warmth in Unexpected Connections
Sometimes, it’s the friends who are like family that truly make our hearts burst with joy, especially during a season where some of us may not get to spend time with our loved ones who are far away. After all, we can’t choose our DNA relatives, but we can choose our friends.
Honoring Christmas All Year Round
Charles Dickens reminds us that the spirit of Christmas shouldn’t be confined to a few weeks. Let’s try to carry the joy, kindness, and love of the season throughout the entire year.
What if Christmas means a little bit more?
In a world often bustling with consumerism, Dr. Seuss’ classic Grinch story tells us to think about the true essence of Christmas. Beyond the material, it’s a time to discover the depth and meaning that lives within our hearts.
A Gift Beyond Material: Presence Over Presents
“My children ask me each year “What do you want for Christmas?” After thinking about it, I decided to give them my real answer. I want you to keep coming around. I want you to ask me questions. Ask my advice. Tell me your problems. Ask for my opinion. Ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life. Whatever. Tell me about your job. Your worries. Your classes. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me or laugh at me. I don’t care, hearing you laugh is music to me. I want you to spend your money making a better life for you. I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas I say “Nothing, because you’ve already been giving me my gift all year. I want YOU.”
This heartfelt message to adult children reminds us that the true meaning of this season isn’t material gifts but the gift of presence, and the joy that comes from simply being together, laughing, sharing, and creating lasting memories. . I think every parent can relate to this no matter how old your kids are.
The People in Our Lives Make All of the Holiday Madness Worth It
This Christmas quote beautifully acknowledges the chaos and challenges that accompany the holiday season. In the midst of these stresses, it reminds us that the people we care about, and who care about us, are worth all of the effort and inconveniences.
A Season of Joy and Sorrow: Be Kind and Generous
This quote reminds us that everyone has different experiences during the holiday season. Some are joyfully preparing for visits with friends and family. Some are are struggling to get through their first holiday without a loved one. And others still are facing the heartbreak of preparing for their last moments together. Be kind and compassionate to everyone because you never know who is going through a hard time.
The Simple Joy of Winter
There’s just a special kind of bliss in taking a stroll through a winter wonderland! The crisp air, the scent of pine, the soft crunch of snow beneath your feet, and the glistening landscape transform an ordinary walk into a magical experience.
If Kisses Were Snowflakes…
This super simple yet cute quote may not be one of the deepest reflections on the surface, but it’s a good reminder to shower the people we love with affection while we can! That’s really what the holidays are all about- not showering people with stuff, but with love.
The New Riches: Finding Joy in Happiness
Inner peace is the new success.
Health is the new wealth.
Kindness is the new cool.”
This is one of my favorite reflections for the New Year. Forget money, forget trying to be #1 in your job, forget things, and forget trying to be “hip” all of the time. Happiness truly IS the best way to be “rich.” Finding peace is the true measure of success. Being healthy is better than being financially wealthy. And most important of all, only kind people are truly “cool.”
Karma’s Unseen Hand
The idea of karma reminds us that our actions have consequences
In this season of reflection, consider the impact of your deeds. Remember that the universe has its own way of serving what is deserved. If you’re a good person, you have nothing to worry about! If you’re not, well, there’s still time. Check out my post on things to do that make you a better person.
Embrace New Beginnings
There’s strength in acknowledging that starting over is not a setback but a chance to build a stronger, more resilient foundation. Consider the possibilities that come with each new beginning, allowing the season to inspire hope for a brighter future.
The Good Life: Smile, Dream, Laugh, and Be Grateful
In the pursuit of a good life, this wise quote encourages us to find joy in simplicity, appreciate the present, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we often overlook.
Make Next Year a Year of Change
With the dawn of each new year, we each get a fresh start. A blank slate. A chance to change whatever we want to change. Make this the year you embrace ALL of the opportunities for growth and improvement that come once the clock strikes midnight.
I think the bottom line, and the one thing all of the Christmas reflections have in common, is that it’s not the THINGS we buy or the amount of money we spend on our loved ones; it’s the love we give and the time we spend with them. The underling theme of the New Year reflections is pretty clear, too: don’t look back. Look ahead, look forward to change, and be kind to yourself. Happy holidays!
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