The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

Christmas means different things to different people. For many, it is about the hustle and bustle, the long checkout lines, the wrapping of presents, trimming of the tree and entertaining family and friends.

Many others, like business owners, see it as their last opportunity this year to turn a profit and they delight in selling more stuff to the many free spending shoppers.

On another side, there are those for whom the meaning of this season is more reflective. They see it as a time for gratitude, introspection, and opportunity to reaffirm what they believe and to evaluate how they lived over the past eleven months.

Then of course, there are those struggling. They find it challenging to find meaning in this season and may even ask - what’s the point? Having been there and done that, they are emotionally dejected and somewhat disenchanted. Their quest is how to sift out a glimmer of hope amidst the heavy stress they’ve endured throughout this year.

Indeed, these varying perspectives on the way people see this season are very real and for many persons hope can seem like an elusive element.

Even so, while you may be tempted to just lump yourself into one group or another to define meaning this Christmas season, it is important to recognize that what matters most is your personal meaning. For this reason, you must find the courage to come to terms with what you feel within yourself about this season.

After all is said and done, it is my view that Christmas is not about the presents, money, struggle, profits, food, the stress, or even the fun. Christmas from my perspective is really about something deeper, more magical, and meaningful.

I believe that it is a time to take a broader look around you to find something special and spiritually wonderful about yourself, your life, and about those special people in your circle of love.

It is a time to not just give thanks or show your appreciation of others through the exchange of material giving but to connect with people in a real, heart to heart kind of way. It is a unique opportunity to understand who you really are and acknowledge your untapped potential.

This season is truly an awesome occasion to come to know the ever-present presence of God, to reaffirm your belief and to polish the foundation of your faith. To believe in yourself and to trust and accept that have something worth believing in.

More than this, this season is a time to recognize that despite the many setbacks, struggles and difficulties you may have faced this year, you are still alive and you are still here. You still have a chance to change your perception and change what is possible for your life; to seek self-understanding and to commit to live your life with more meaning.

As you contemplate today’s question, give yourself permission to make real changes and to set meaningful goals to improve your life. Consider what you changes you would like to make and what you are willing to do differently in order to make those changes.

Make today the day that you take the lead to live your life with more meaningful and move with more purpose. I wish you a meaningful Christmas and a purpose-driven 2014.

Now is the perfect time to shift your life paradigm.

If you are interesting in doing goals differently in 2014, please send email to goalsdifferently@gmail.com.

• Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach, Leadership Expert, and Host of the Radio program – Men & The e-Factor. Questions or comments can be sent to email coaching242@yahoo.com or telephone 429-6770 or visit www.taketheleadbook.com or snail mail to P.O. Box CB-13060.