Holidays are a time of joy, connection, and gratitude—but let’s face it, they can also get complicated, especially when we fall into the trap of expectation. We may wonder who will invite us over, who will give us gifts, or who will notice the extra time, effort, and energy we put into making everything special. This year, what if we made a conscious to approach this season with a heart wide open—not waiting for others to give, but actively looking for how we can serve?
There’s a beautiful freedom in giving without expecting anything in return. When we shift our focus from what we might get to what we can give, we tap into a joy that expectations simply can’t offer. Imagine the joy of surprising a neighbor with a homemade meal, leaving an anonymous gift for someone who’s struggling, or lending an ear to a friend who just needs to vent. When we give like this—purely, sincerely, and wholeheartedly—we’re not waiting for gratitude or payback; we’re pouring out love simply because the world could use more of it.
And yes, sometimes people might take advantage. Others may not show appreciation. Some might not even notice. But we’re not doing this for applause. We’re doing it because we’ve decided that our purpose this season is to serve, to love, and to be a source of light. Instead of worrying about how our kindness will be received, let’s focus on the joy of sharing it.
So, this season, let’s give back without reservation. Let’s choose to serve from a place of love, expecting nothing, but giving everything we can. In that humble posture of selflessness, we may just find that the true gift of the holidays isn’t what’s under the tree—it’s the peace and joy we carry within us when we let go of expectation and let our hearts give freely.
