Values: Family, the Holidays, & More
The holiday season can bring a mix of emotions—joy, anxiety, loneliness, or pressure. No matter what you're feeling, you're not alone. Many people are experiencing similar emotions during this time of year.
As we navigate the holidays, it’s helpful to remember our core values, which help ground and guide us. These values often require sacrifice and intention, but they’re worth upholding. Learning from the values of others can also help shape our own.
John Mark Comer, in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, emphasizes the value of simplicity and slowing down. In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. By embracing simplicity, we can set boundaries, prioritize rest, and focus on meaningful relationships, rather than the stress of gift-giving or busyness.
Similarly, Jefferson Bethke's Take Back Your Family challenges us to reframe the value of family, urging us to invest in strong family relationships. For those who may not have a close immediate family, community can fill that role. Forgiveness is another key value, especially around family dynamics during the holidays.
Values like faith and generosity also stand out during the season. Faith can be expressed in personal practices like prayer, while generosity comes to life through acts of service—whether donating to the homeless or giving to those in need.
Try this:
Discovering your values and holding true to them can be very helpful over the holiday season.
What are the values that you want to live by?
Review the image below and take note of all the values that stand out to you. After this, narrow your list down to 3-5 values that you most desire to live by.
Taking time to reflect on the values that matter most to you can be especially helpful during the holidays. Once you identify your top values, create action statements to help you live them out—whether it’s "finding joy in all things" or "being present with loved ones." These values can help you stay grounded and purposeful, no matter the challenges the season may bring.
