The holidays are here!

And I wish you a spirited holiday.
No, not alcoholic spirits, or supernatural spirits.
I refer to spirit as a verb that is:

to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action

Spirit is important . . . an early life lesson for me.

I grew up in a large family with the last name of Noel. Very Christmasy, isn’t it?
We had little money and a dad who often worked the holidays meaning we had to wait…and wait…and wait to open gifts in a very cramped home.

But there was spirit nurtured by my mom which made us seem rich. In my too short years with her, she shared her spirit daily, and especially at the holidays, which taught us:

The spirit of what you do matters.
How you treat others counts.
What you give is significant.
Your actions are more important than your intentions.

Pretty good life lessons, aren’t they?
Not just at the holidays but all year round.

So, as we begin the long holiday weekend, I wish you . . .

 Joy to be with those you love
Peace in your heart and mind
and
Spirit that is positively contagious