It’s the most wonderful time of the year! More than likely you sang that first statement, but if you didn’t, rest assured this time of the year is unlike any other. The Thanksgiving leftovers have ran out (hopefully), and for those of us in school, finals have left and we have survived them (hopefully). Now it’s time for us to reflect, relax and talk about the important issues, like what the best thing about Christmas is. Now before you come up with your own answer, maybe sharing mine might offer a different perspective not often considered. My favorite part of Christmas, and the holidays at large, is the one gift that life gives at this time every year, the gift that keeps on giving for – hope. The holidays offer time to truly sit back and appreciate the year at large, its ups and downs, but more so, the hope of the future possibilities. Just think about it, everyone around the world for one period of time every year is hopeful and active in manifesting their hopes and dreams for the future.

Regardless of the varying circumstances and hardships we experience, hope truly makes this the most wonderful time of the year. Now, the best part of this hope-filled season is that we truly all feel emboldened to change our lives and the lives around us for the better. Now think for a moment about how you feel right now. You want to share that feeling of jolliness because nothing is better than everyone around you sharing the same hopeful joy that is within you right now. If I’m wrong, then maybe this season isn’t your favorite. But I assure you that embracing the hope blossoming all around you will give you something you cannot get in any wrapped present. The other day, I was walking home and I bumped into someone. She dropped all of her things, then, as I helped her pick her things back up she randomly asked me what I wanted for Christmas. When I said I was not sure she responded saying, “Well young man, I hope that you are blessed with the sense of hope that gives you the power to change someone’s life, because hope is the root of all change and we all need hope more than ever”.  As we went our separate ways, it felt as if that very sense of hope flooded my heart, and in that moment I realized that the gift that keeps on giving is the exchange and nurturing of hope within each and everyone of us. So I hope you all enjoy the holidays. I hope you all look towards the new year with all the ambition, motivation, and love it takes to make it to another Christmas; and when confronted with what you want most for this holiday season, know you already have it, because hope is what gets us to this point every year and every Christmas so we can continue to have our hope renewed and ensure all of our futures become even brighter. Don’t forget to maintain and share hope, it’s my favorite part of the holidays, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving.