Make every day the most, wonderful time of the year!

So, the holiday season is upon us! From the Black Friday sales to the perfect Christmas gift, the parties, shopping, and decorating in between—even just thinking about the upcoming tasks leaves me with a familiar mix of anxiety and worry about whether I’ll manage to get everything done. But then I take a moment to pause and remind myself…

Yes, this is the most wonderful time of the year, but only if I’m fully present to enjoy it each day.

As a child, the magic of Christmas was palpable everywhere. The twinkling lights, the snowfall, and the green tinsel Christmas tree we proudly adorned with ornaments—it was all so enchanting. Letters to Santa, milk and cookies left out, and the sheer joy of descending the stairs to find a mountain of presents under the tree—it was an experience that filled me with immeasurable happiness.

Now, as an adult, a parent, and reflecting on my childhood experiences, I realize that the magic of this time of year transcended those superficial elements. Sure, I still get caught up in the allure of those twinkling lights, but I’ve come to understand that there’s much more to this period of the year. As a child, I took my family for granted and didn’t fully appreciate the effort and coordination that went into making everything happen so seamlessly.

Life is a precious gift, one that can easily be taken for granted. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and the commercialized reminders of how ‘wonderful’ this time of year is. But if we don’t pause and celebrate the true gifts that make not only this time of year special, but each and every day, we miss the greatest blessings of all—the realization that every day is a wonderful gift to be cherished, acknowledged, and appreciated for the beauty it brings us in every moment.

Mark Twain once wrote, “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life,” and ultimately, that’s what makes life truly wonderful. It won’t be perfect; there will be struggles, sadness, joy, and even pain. But the fact that you’re still here, present and able to experience life’s beauty, is something to celebrate every single day.

So, today, I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself, “What makes this the most wonderful time of the year for me?” Have you been swept away by the magic that surrounds you, or have you been able to pause and truly appreciate the beauty that this day has brought your way?

For me, it’s the simple fact that I’m alive. I’m surrounded by loving family and friends, and today, I get to pause and enjoy watching my Buckeyes play THE game. I feel the exhilaration of each and every play, and that’s what being alive is all about!

Shine bright, my friends!