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Inspiration

The holiday spirit all year long

inter solstice, a milestone people have cel- • Get others involved: Invite friends and family to
ebrated for millennia, signifies the returning participate in acts of giving, such as sponsoring a
of light to the world with the passage of the family in need or collecting donations for a local
W year's shortest day. Different cultures and charity.
religions have various names for this period and distinct
interpretations of its meaning, some giving it more sig- • Support small businesses: Do at least some of your
nificance than others. People who enjoy the giving spirit holiday shopping at small, local businesses. This
buy presents for one another and host festive gatherings can help strengthen your community's economy
decorated for the season. We, in the payments business, and provide livelihoods for local entrepreneurs.
are busy supporting merchants during what is the busiest
shopping time of the year for many. • Foster understanding: Engage in conversations
that promote understanding and empathy, espe-
In this hectic time, which can make or break a merchant's cially with those who have different beliefs or back-
entire year, it's easy to lose sight of the real good will and grounds. Seek common ground.
generosity underlying the holidays. People pull out their • Practice gratitude: Reflect on the things you are
cards and smartphones to make payments in various grateful for and encourage your loved ones to do the
forms. Sales associates pack up purchases and hand them same. Gratitude can help foster a sense of content-
to shoppers with as big a smile as they can muster despite ment and goodwill.
long lines and long days on their feet. And behind the
hubbub is a genuine hope for peace and good will, some- • Strengthen your bonds: Spend quality time with
thing that can seem unattainable. your loved ones and participate in community
events and gatherings. Building strong connections
Individually, most of us are not likely to have the power can contribute to a sense of peace and goodwill—
to bring people together on a grand scale. However, when and your overall health.
it comes to our individual spheres of influence, we can
spread good will farther than we might think possible. • Take care of yourself: Nurture your own well-be-
Here are some ideas: ing so you can be a source of positivity and support
for others. Mindfulness and self-care practices can
• Practice kindness: Show kindness and empathy to help reduce stress and promote inner peace.
others in your daily interactions. Smile, offer a help-
ing hand or simply listen to someone who needs to You're likely already doing some of these things or taking
talk. other equally beneficial actions not included in this short
list. But just imagine the ripple effect we could have if we
• Volunteer: Find local volunteer opportunities, such consistently engaged in small acts of kindness and com-
as helping at a soup kitchen or participating in a passion throughout the year.
community clean-up. This can make a significant
difference in the lives of others.
• Donate: Donate what you can to charities and orga-
nizations that support causes you care about. Many
organizations run holiday donation drives for food,
clothing, toys, and more. Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
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