Passion Struck with John R. Miles - How Do You Express the True Spirit of the Holidays? w/John R. Miles EP 232

Episode Date: December 23, 2022

In today's special episode, I share how the true spirit of the holidays is all about spreading joy, love, and compassion to those around us. Whether through gift-giving, acts of kindness, or spending time with loved ones, the holiday season is a time to come together and celebrate all that is good in the world. What I Discuss About the True Spirit of the Holidays The spirit of the holidays is often thought of as a feeling of joy, love, and generosity that is associated with the holiday season. It is a time of celebration, coming together with loved ones, and expressing gratitude for the good things in life. The holiday spirit can be expressed in many different ways, including through gift-giving, volunteering, and spreading cheer and joy to those around us. Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://passionstruck.com/express-the-true-spirit-of-the-holidays/  Brought to you by American Giant and Omaha Steaks. --► For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to: https://passionstruck.com/deals/  --► Prefer to watch this interview: https://youtu.be/qQW0rdIftmM  Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally! --► Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnRMiles Want to find your purpose in life? I provide my six simple steps to achieving it - passionstruck.com/5-simple-steps-to-find-your-passion-in-life/ Did you miss my interview with Wharton Professor and New York Times bestselling author Jonah Berger? Listen to episode 227 on how the great catalysts remove the barriers to change. ===== FOLLOW ON THE SOCIALS ===== * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_podcast * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnrmiles.c0m  Learn more about John: https://johnrmiles.com/ 

Coming up next on the Passion Struct Podcast, The Holiday Season is the time of year that is filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness. It's a time to come together with loved ones, exchange gifts, and spread cheer. But for many people, the true spirit of the holidays goes beyond just the superficial trappings of gift-giving and festive decorations. It is about expressing the values of connection, compassion, gratitude, and giving back. Welcome to PassionStruct. Hi, I'm your host, John Armiles, and on the show, we decipher the secrets,

tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself. If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guest-ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become Passion Struck.

Hello everyone and welcome back to Momentum Friday, an episode 232 of the Passion Struck Podcast. And thank you to all of you who come back weekly, but listen and learn how to live better, be better, and impact the world. And if you're new to the show, thank you so much for being here, or you would just like to introduce this to a friend or family member, and we so appreciate it when you do that. We now have episode starter packs both on Spotify and the Passion Struck website, and these are collections of our fans' favorite episodes that we organize into convenient topics if any new listener are a great way to get acquainted to everything we do

here on the show. Just go to passionstruck.com slash starter packs were Spotify to get started. In case you missed my episodes from earlier on in the week, we head on Family Therapists, Vanessa Bennett and John Kim, and we discuss their brand new book, It's Not You, It's Me. I also interviewed James Belp III on the power of hope in overcoming global poverty. Lastly, I wanted to acknowledge our fan of the week, Jose Estes, who writes, incredible episode. I just finished listening to the episode with Jonah Burger, and by far it is one of my all-time favorite interviews. It was obvious that John

genuinely had an appreciation for Dr. Burgers' work, and it was clear that he had done his research and had read the book. They both took deep dives and discussing why we change, and Dr. Burger gave some great examples. I love how John interviews his guests, which makes it great to listen to, and it has significantly inspired me to expand my understanding of behavioral change. I can't wait to listen to it again, and to more and more John's episodes. Jose, thank you so much for that review and thank you to each and every one of you who gives us ratings and reviews each week. They go such a long way in helping us expand the reach of this podcast, its popularity, but most importantly, grow the community who comes in weekly to hear inspiration and tidbits on

connection, meaning, commitment to improving ourselves, and so much more. Now, let's talk about today's episode. Holidays are a special time of the year for many around the world. They offer us a chance to celebrate, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the year that has passed. Decorations, parties, delicacies, gifts, and time with friends and family, characterize the holiday season. Beyond these external attributes, it is a significant season that brings joy, love, hope, and given.

However, the holidays also hold a much more profound significance, as they provide an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to focus on what truly matters. One of the primary reasons the holidays are so important is that they give us the opportunity to spend time with our loved ones. Whether through gift-given, holiday dinners, or simply spending time together, the holidays provide an opportunity to strengthen our relationships and create lasting memories. This is particularly crucial for those who might not get the chance to visit their loved ones as frequently as they would want, because of their hectic schedules or distance.

The holidays can also provide a welcome respite from the pressures of daily life. It's easy to get sucked into the daily commotion, whether it's brought on by job demands, school, or other obligations. The holidays provide us an opportunity to stop. Take a deep breath and then resume our activities. However, not everybody gets to partake in all the good things that the season brings. Due to one reason or another, ranging from a misconception about the point of the celebration to being unappreciative of the blossoms, one has received in the year, it could be religious

beliefs or for health reasons. In light of the Yuletide season, today's episode will be a special one who inspires your hearts and bring to your minds the importance of the season. In it, I will enlighten you on ways that you can express the true spirit of the holidays, so that you can fully partake in its joy and the blessings that it brings. Thank you for choosing PassionStruck and choosing me to be your host and guide on your journey to creating an intentional life now. Let that journey begin. [♪ Music playing in background, the music begins to play in background, the music ends. So I'm going to start today's episode out by talking about what is the true spirit of the holidays. The holiday season should not be about materialism or consumerism.

While gift-giving and exchanging presence is a common tradition during the holiday season, it's important to remember the true meaning of the holidays and that it's not about accumulating material possessions. The holiday season is truly about togetherness, appreciation, and the joy of loving and giving to one another. It is about practicing kindness, selflessness, forgiveness, and betterment inside ourselves. Without these essential components, the holiday season would be a one-time event without enduring significance. The true spirit of the holidays is also about connection and compassion. It's about reaching out to those around us, whether that's through acts of kindness, or simply spending quality time together. It's putting aside our differences,

uniting as a community, and realizing that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. So if that is the meaning around the spirit of the holidays, what are some hindrances to us partaking in the goodness of the holiday season? There are a variety of factors that can hinder an individual's ability to participate in the holiday season fully. Some of the most common hindrances include financial constraints, the expense of presence, decorations, and holiday festivities may rapidly increase during the holidays, making it a pricey time of the year. For those who are struggling financially, the burden of these costs can be a significant hindrance to fully participating in the holiday season. Second, time constraints. Holidays can be a hectic time of the year for many

who are balancing jobs, school, as well as other obligations. It may be difficult for already overburden individuals to find time to participate in the holiday customs and rituals. Third, physical distance. For those unable to be with loved ones due to geographical distance, the holiday season can be difficult and lonely. This can be especially true for those who are unable to travel or participate due to health or financial constraints, Fourth, emotional challenges. A holiday season can be extremely challenging for those who are dealing with grief, depression, or other emotional challenges.

The expectations and traditions of the holiday season can be overwhelming for those who are struggling, making it difficult to participate in the festivities fully. Fifth, cultural differences. For those with different cultural backgrounds, a holiday season could be a time of cultural conflict or disconnection. This could be especially true for those who have recently immigrated or live in diverse communities

where holiday traditions may differ. Many factors can hinder an individual's ability to participate fully in the holiday season. It's essential to recognize these challenges and be understanding and supportive of those who are struggling during this time of the year. So now let's go over some ways to express a true spirit of the holidays. The holiday season is a joyful festive time. When people come together to celebrate, it's a time to attend holiday parties, give and receive gifts and

spread cheer. But for many people, the true meaning of the holidays goes beyond the outward appearances of gift-given and festive decorations. So how do you express the true spirit of the holidays? Here are five ways. First is to spend quality time with loved ones. Making time for the people who matter most to you is one of the best ways to embody the true spirit of the holidays. Whether it's through holiday dinners, gift exchanges, or simply spending time together, connecting with others is a crucial aspect of the holiday experience.

Second, give back to your community. Another way to express the true spirit of the holidays is to find ways to give back to your community. This can take many forms from volunteering at a local charity to simply offering a helping hand to a neighbor in need. The third way is by practicing gratitude. The holidays are a great time to give thanks

for everything that we have. Take some time to reflect on the things that you're grateful for and express your gratitude through words or gestures of appreciation. Fourth, show compassion. The holiday season is also a time to show compassion, as well as kindness to those around us. Whether it's offering a warm smile to a stranger or reaching out to a friend or loved one who may be struggling, small acts of compassion, and go a long way in spreading joy, as well as positivity during the holiday season. Fifth, find joy in simple pleasures. Last, but not least, the holiday season is a time to rejoice in life's small joys. Whether it's spending time with a loved one baking cookies or going for a peaceful walk in the cold, take some time to slow down and enjoy the moments that make you happy. Overall, there are many ways to express the true

spirit of the holidays. We may embrace the deeper meaning of these particular festivities and make the most of this special time of the year by spending time with loved ones, giving back to our communities, cultivating appreciation, displaying compassion, and finding the light and life's simple pleasures. In the words of Oprah Winfrey, I love the holidays, and what I love about them is the opportunity to pause and to reflect on the blessings of the past year. It's a time to be grateful for all the good things in our lives, and to look forward to the year ahead with hope and optimism.

It is critical to appreciate this particular time of the year and remember the celebrations, deep remaining, which is one of appreciation. It only takes a minute to be grateful for everything that we have and to acknowledge the people and experiences that make our lives enjoyable and meaningful. It involves showing gratitude towards others, whether in speech or deed.

In addition to the personal benefits of the holidays, they also positively impact society as a whole, as people unite to support one another. And those in need, the holiday season is frequently linked to deeds of compassion and goodwill. The feelings of camaraderie and compassion might encourage people to continue their deeds of kindness throughout the year, as well as contribute to the development of a more optimistic and inclusive society.

During this holiday season, be thankful for the people and circumstances that have made your lives enjoyable and fulfilling. Celebrate the current moment and look forward to the future with optimism and hope. So go on and fully express the true spirit of holidays. Not just this season, but every day afterward. Happy holidays from the PassionStruck podcast, so all of you, and thank you so much for listening. I hope you all enjoyed the show. I wanted to thank everyone who wrote in this week, and especially those who listened to today's episode. A link to the transcript will be in the show notes. Videos are on YouTube at both JonR Miles as well as passion struck clips. Please go check them both out and subscribe.

EverTiser deals and discount codes are in one convenient place at passionstruck.com, slash deals. Please consider supporting those who support this show and make it free for our listeners. I'm at JonR Miles, both on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also find me on LinkedIn. Next week we're doing something special to celebrate the end of year. We will be doing two episodes that are on the best of 2022. One will feature some of my personal favorite guests, and the second one will focus on experts

that we had on this year from the fields of behavioral science, neuroscience, and health. So please tune in for both of those as well as my special year end message. Remember, we rise by lifting others, so share the show with those that you love and care about. And if you found this episode useful, please share it with somebody else so that they can

go into this holiday season with love and joy. In the meantime, do your best to apply what you hear in the show so that you can live what you listen. And until next time, live life, action struck.