Seasons Change, Our Need for Connection Remains
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I… I will be here
-Steven Curtis Chapman, I Will Be Here
The holiday season can be a time of connection where friends and family get together for parties, dinners and other gatherings. Everywhere one goes there are reminders of the season…
decorations, music, and all the magical twinkling lights. For many this season brings excitement and joy, giving one something to look forward to.
Since graduating high school I have lived anywhere from one hundred to thousands of miles away from home (even across the Atlantic). I have moved often, and even now I live quite far away from my family. During years where making a trip home is just not in the budget, I find myself experiencing some sadness and longing to be near loved ones. I miss everyone getting together, seeing my parents, siblings, aunts, cousins, grandparents and old friends. I miss sledding and the snow-capped mountains. This isn’t the first of these years, and it won’t be the last.
So, I have had to come up with ways to lessen that longing for connection with those who know me best. We are building our own traditions for our home here in Florida. Over the years we have reached out to others who don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with, as well as to friends who are going through difficult times. We volunteer and participate in local holiday events. We are learning that connecting with those who are near (our friends, coworkers and church family) brings new meaning to the season. Building new connections is our holiday tradition.
The holiday season means something different for everyone depending on each person’s experiences and current circumstances. Creating meaning that brings hope and comfort during the holidays can be a challenge. As the lights twinkle and the music plays and the hustle and bustle is all around, the realities that some face can seem too much. As seasons change, our need for connection remains. There is a song I love by Steven Curtis Chapman called “I will be here.” The song beautifully sums up what it means to be there for another. “Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear… when laughter turns to crying…through wining, losing, and trying… …I will be here.”
If you know someone struggling this season who may need a helping hand, a loving touch, a conversation with a friend; reach out to them. Let them know they are in your thoughts. Maybe have them over for dinner, or drop by for a visit. If it is you who is struggling and you are looking for connection reach out to others, let someone know what you need. You can also contact a professional counselor to help you reach out and maybe even build new connections in the process. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services in Orlando today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced mental health counselors.