With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, it’s easy for the true meaning of this sacred season to get lost as we strive to plan perfect parties, purchase perfect gifts and festoon our homes with perfect Christmas decorations. Despite the best of intentions, all of this striving can distract from the true reason for the season. Sometimes the best parties are those impromptu family gatherings around the kitchen table; the best present really is simply our presence; and the best decorations are those that nature provides – freshly fallen snow, icicles glistening in the sun, the stars that light up a crisp night’s sky, snow-capped evergreens, and deer and chipmunks scampering about.
If you’re like me, you probably find yourself in perpetual motion, constantly working to achieve something, to make the world a better place. While there is certainly merit to that and a time and place for it, this holiday season, I invite you to join me in slowing down a bit and experiencing moments instead of getting so wrapped up in trying to create them. Look around you and take it all in. Appreciate all you have, and instead of focusing on the things we all want – and convince ourselves we need to be happy – think about all the ways to brighten others’ days that don’t cost anything more than our time. Visit an elderly neighbor, build a snowman with our kids, go sledding or ice skating with our friends, bask in the glow of the fire with a spouse, tell grandkids stories about the “good old days,” or just go for a walk and appreciate the beauty of the day.
One great way to appreciate this beauty is by taking a hike in one of our wonderful Missouri state parks. On Jan. 1, 40 state parks will be hosting a “First Day Hike” event as a part of a program series sponsored by America’s State Parks. Head over to Knob Noster State Park at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day for a walking tour of the woodlands