Feature: Embracing the Season with Purpose

By Timothy A. Edward

Are you getting ready to greet Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer? As the festive season draws near, it is a good time to pause and reflect - not just on the holidays, but on how we live, work, and care for ourselves and others.

The Calendar that shapes our lives

Our lives are ruled by the calendar. It helps us celebrate, remember, and mark special days, events, and seasons. It also reminds us that time waits for no one. This truth applies to businesses too. In the business world, we are called to add value wherever we are placed, making ourselves indispensable to our organisations and communities.

Hidden cost of modern living

While we strive to be valuable and productive, modern life brings its own challenges. Among the working population - especially in the business community - there is a growing trend of stress, depression, and hypertension. Experts call stress a silent killer. When it stays in our system for too long, it can lead to many health problems.

Need for balance

To reduce stress, we must aim for a balanced life. This means caring for our physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. A gap in any one of these areas can lead to stress and distress.

We need to live a full, balanced life - physically, professionally, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and with time for leisure and pleasure. Many of our parents and grandparents knew how to do this well. But modern life often pulls us in too many directions. That is why we must take strategic steps to protect our well-being.

Talk it out and reach up

When you face challenges, talk to someone you trust. Do not bottle it up. Self-talk can help too. And talking to God - sharing your worries and burdens with Him - can bring deep peace and comfort.

Season of joy and stress

This season can be joyful, but also stressful. Year-end targets, house cleaning, shopping for gifts, and meeting friends and relatives can all add pressure. Even joyful gatherings can sometimes be tense. When tempers rise, remember: kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healing to the body.

When the holidays feel lonely

While many celebrate, some may be grieving a loss, going through a breakup, or feeling the sting of rejection. Loneliness and sorrow can be overwhelming. In such times, draw close to God. Believe that He is closest to you when you feel most alone. That faith can become your lifeline.

Time, priorities, and the gift of presence

This season reminds us of the importance of family and friends. We all have only 24 hours in a day. So, we must set priorities and track how we spend our time. Balance between work, family, and personal space is essential - not just now, but always.

Make time for yourself and your loved ones. Pick up a hobby. Do things that bring joy - listen to music, play an instrument, enjoy a card game, or sing together. These simple pleasures can greatly reduce stress.

Preparing for the year ahead

Soon, 2025 will end and 2026 will begin. Let us take positive steps now to prepare ourselves - physically, mentally, and spiritually - for the year ahead. They say the best time to prepare for a storm is when it is calm. So, enjoy this season, but also get ready for whatever lies ahead.

Gifts may fill our homes this season, but let us not forget: life itself is one of the greatest gifts we have received. Commit your work to God, and your plans will be established. Always pursue what is good - for yourself and for others. If we can train our minds to focus on what is good, uplifting, and worth reflecting on, then we can believe that 2026 will be one of the best years of our lives.