5 Values to Keep in Your Heart

We can probably agree that the holidays, and life in general, have become more about ourselves than family or friends. What a sad realization that is. To change that, I’ve compiled a list of values everyone should keep in their heart, not just now, but throughout the new year to make it a year of compassion.

Here are the five values to keep in your heart for the holidays:

1. Time.

It’s the simplest and most heartfelt gift you can give to another person—time to spend with one person or a group of people. Whoever those people are, whether it be family and friends or strangers, time is the greatest attribute you have to offer. We all need to not only find time, but to have time.

And if we don’t have the time, we need to make the time.

Make the time to call them and tell them you’re thinking about them. Make the time to go to their house or their event or invite them to yours to be in their presence and soak it all up. Soak up every last second of your time with them, because you never know if this time is the last time. Make the time and don’t put it off. Find what is important to you, and find the time to show others.

If creating time in your heart seems like a big task, then this next point on the list is for you.

2. Selflessness

It’s defined in the dictionary as “concern more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own.” This might be the hardest value to have in one’s heart. In a world where selfishness rules all, thinking of others before yourself seems almost impossible, but if you’re wanting to better your heart, a little sacrifice is due. Think of others and have that burning desire to care for them, that need to see their wants and needs above your own, and I promise all of your days will be fruitful and beautiful.

3. Generosity.

Generosity is what keeps the things we own from owning us. We must have generous hearts in all that we do. Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” If you have ever given something to someone who could not repay you, then you know the depths of generosity. Giving is like medicine for the soul. It soothes and comforts. It’s always in style, it never brags, it doesn’t hold records, it simply heals all it comes in contact with. There is no greater feeling than a happy heart full of generosity.

4. Forgiveness.

I truly believe that one of the most courageous decisions we will ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting our hearts and souls and come to peace with all terms. Forgiveness is something we must have in our hearts, for without it, we cannot have love. And what is a heart without love? I personally challenge you this holiday and this new year to look within, find the things harbored in your heart, and set them free. Be released from your anger, released from your greed and selfishness. Released from your hate and all your grudges and give complete, transparent forgiveness. Even if we thought we could never forgive, set that feeling free and do not let it take over your new heart. We must live in the now and forget the past.

5. Love.

Lastly, we must have love in our hearts. Love for all people and all things. A love for ourselves and others that is so loud it drowns all the sadness in this world. A love so wide and strong that it overshadows all the bad things of this Earth and radiates from us. To have in your heart time, selflessness, generosity and forgiveness, is to have love. If you make the change to keep all these values within your heart, love will come easily.

Find these values and practice them.

Call your loved ones you haven’t seen in some time and ask them if they have any time to spare to talk with you face to face.

Find room in your heart to care about others more than you care for yourself.

Give with the most generous, pure heart.

Forgive and release every ill thought within your soul and love with all the love you can muster.

And most importantly, have the best Christmas and the most positive new year with your new and improved heart.