Preparing with Perspective for the Holidays.

Heather Halsey Dye

3 days ago

3 min read

Shining a light on the lens of your personal outlook.

Perspective is our version of reality, it shapes our experiences and lets us see the world as if we look through life with our own personal filter.

In what ways can you adjust this personal filter to experience the most

beneficial view of your holidays?

As Thanksgiving draws near this year, the season for traveling, gathering with loved ones, sharing meals, exchanging gifts and faith-filled events has begun. Holidays are a season ofcoming together but also often a season of seeking support in spaces of loss or separation.With togetherness, we find an encouraging opportunity for us to slow down, and createspace for love, gratitude, and connection.

An authentic perspective on holiday gatherings also acknowledges the emotional complexity and diversity of viewpoints that all individuals coming together hold. This authenticity supports the reality of both good experiences and difficult experiences occurring during the holidays. Embracing both true joy and the potential stress of confronting loss during the holiday season allows you to experience the holidays with genuine self-compassion and emotional honesty.

Perspective on focus.

To focus on light (or close objects), the human eye relies on a mechanical process called

accommodation.

As you shift your focus to something closer, the eye lens becomes thicker and rounder. This

adjustment allows light to be refracted properly, so it lands on the retina, the inner wall at the back of the eye, creating a clear image. We also know that some people need assistive supports like eye glasses, contacts, or other means to simulate sight due to vision impairments that cause difficulties in sharpening their view.

Consider how this process the eye uses for focusing on light is similar to the lens we affix to our personal life experiences. We also accommodate daily by shifting emotionally, spiritually and psychologically to experience the world around us. This shifting supports a clearer perspective. People sometimes use the phrase "shining a light on" to express the way in which accommodating releases clarity in an enlightened manner. In preparing for the season of gatherings, this may mean changing plans, offering favors, or adapting circumstances to make things easier or more comfortable for yourself or someone else.

Shining a light.

Light is not something we earn or chase. It is something we remember, allow, and embody. Light isn’t just something we notice. It’s something we cultivate, it is an extension of understanding through perception.

How can we prepare our personal perspective for the holiday season?

• Connecting with your sense of purpose, meaning, or inner peace can provide grounding during busy or emotional seasons.

• Reflect on what helps you feel connected to something larger than yourself, including nature, art, faith, or quiet time, and make space for it.

• Acknowledge the reality that holiday celebrations aren't always perfect. It’s okay to feel the weight of holiday expectations or the discomfort of family dynamics. Recognizing this helps us accept the imperfections of the season while still appreciating its deeper meaning.

• Practice gratitude daily, even in small ways, to focus on what nourishes your spirit.

• Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices or prayer to center yourself amidst external demands.

• Consider volunteering or giving back in a way that aligns with your values and brings a sense of fulfillment.

• Participate in faith, religious or spiritual traditions that are personally meaningful or interpersonally connecting