Merry Christmas!
Whether you are celebrating this day or another holiday, I hope it is festive and that you are with those you love. This time of year often brings a mix of experiences and emotions. Plans, decisions, family dynamics, moments of connection, quiet reflection, loud laughter. Many people feel more than one thing at once today, and that feels honest.
Earlier this month, I invited you to look at faith through a simple lens:
Faith is the agreement you keep with yourself.
I recently rewatched Love Actually. It is my favorite holiday film, and it tells a story about love—love that is actually all around. Love that shows up in both perfect and imperfect ways. Love that is awkward, steady, unfinished, hurtful, generous, and restrained. Love that lives in the details of everyday life.
That view of love mirrors how I think about faith.
Faith shows up in the choices you keep making. In the people and things you continue to care about. In the agreements you honor with yourself and others, day after day, with full schedules and uncertain moments. Faith lives in how you show up for what matters to you.
Faith shows up in similar ways. In the choices you keep making. In the people and things you continue to care about. In the agreements you honor with yourself and others, day after day, with full schedules and uncertain moments. Faith lives in how you show up for what matters to you.
A Christmas Day Practice
Take a moment today to pause. Let yourself settle into where you are. Then ask yourself:
What from this year still feels true to me and worth carrying forward?
What feels complete enough to set down, perhaps once and for all?
Let the questions sit with you.
Personal Reflection
This reflection is inspired by the practices in Take a Shot at Happiness. More than thinking through the year, you are invited to take your Christmas Day practice a step further.
Photo Op
Sometime today or this week, notice something that reflects what has stayed with you from this year. It may be familiar or easy to overlook. Take a photo of it as you find it. Let the image represent what continues to matter to you right now.
Action Opportunity
Look at your photo. Let it bring to mind what it reflects for you now. Write one clear sentence naming what you are choosing to carry forward as this year comes to a close and why. Save your sentence with the image in your Take a Shot at Happiness App.
There is more to explore. ⬇️
My latest Best Holistic Life article, a recent podcast conversation, the Take a Shot at Happiness App, and my transformational travel journeys are all here to support your wholebeing in mind, body, and spirit.
This is the final Take a Shot at Happiness newsletter of 2025. Thank you for spending part of this year here and for your openness to seeing a different perspective.
Whatever today holds, I hope it offers a meaningful moment.
With love,
Maria
P.S. 💖 Know someone who may benefit from considering their faith? You are welcome to share this reflection.
If you are that friend, welcome — you can sign up to receive these reflections each month:
P.P.S. 💖 My Insight Timer meditations — live and recorded — offer space to reconnect with what supports you.
