Spread Light This Christmas: Small Actions with a Big Impact

The other day, as I went for a walk, I caught myself smiling widely at one of the houses adorned with string lights wrapped around trees and bushes. My smile grew even bigger when I passed a giant inflatable Santa swaying back and forth in the strong wind. It reminded me of the magic of Christmas – how small things can create joy and warmth. That smile stayed with me, and I came home filled with new energy.

Christmas is a meaningful time for many – a holiday that stirs both positive and negative emotions. We want to buy gifts that make our loved ones happy. We want to meet friends and family, some of whom may be visiting for the holidays, people we don’t often see otherwise. Many of us attend Christmas concerts, and it feels like more people than usual carry a special kind of energy during this season.

Regardless of what makes Christmas special for you – a holiday with strong traditions or a chance to create something new – it’s often a time for reflection and being present in the moment.

At the same time, not everyone loves Christmas. Perhaps you’re one of those who feel there’s just too much presents and Christmas music and are simply counting down the days until December is over.

My Personal Christmas Journey

I’ve loved Christmas since I was a child – the carols, the Christmas decorations, and all the festive traditions. But as I grew older, the importance of gifts began to fade. Nearly 20 years ago, I decided to shift the focus toward what we truly appreciate about one another and less on the presents. I wrote personal letters to everyone I shared Christmas with, describing what I loved about each person.

It was a rewarding exercise for me, highlighting everything I valued about them, both big and small. When the letters were handed out and read, I saw a sense of appreciation for the words, but also a touch of awkward silence. I realized that while this was meaningful to me, it couldn’t replace the gifts and the shared ritual of unwrapping presents for others.

Still, I’m glad I did it, and it’s okay that we value different things. What I held onto was what I love most – seeing the light in everyone I celebrate Christmas with, no matter how we choose to mark the occasion.

The Light We Share: Small Acts That Make a Difference

We are influenced by others, whether we like it or not. A smile, a stern look, or a head bowed over a phone – everything leaves an impression.

An experiment in Stockholm’s subway illustrated just how much we affect one another. A group of students passed the platform and smiled at everyone they passed. Observers stationed at each station exit noted the mood of people coming up. There were noticeably more smiles after the smiling students had been on the platforms. When the students went down with angry expressions and encountered the same flow of people, a significant drop in mood was observed. The result? We are deeply impacted by others!

This Christmas season, you can be one of those who spreads the goodness of the holiday. Take the time to smile at someone, thank the cashier with warmth, greet the bus driver, call your elderly aunt to wish her a Merry Christmas, or tell a colleague you appreciate working with them.

Visualizing Light and Comfort

Every small kind act ignites a spark in someone else. That spark, in turn, can spread – perhaps through a simple smile that reaches another person.

Think about all the people carrying this light within them, whether it’s big or small. For many, the light shines brighter at Christmastime. It’s out there, ready to be shared and to create a ripple effect. Close your eyes and imagine this light surrounding you, filling you like a warm hug.

Picture yourself bathed in this light, wrapped in its glow. Let it seep into every cell of your body, filling you with care, love, and hope. Did you know your brain cannot distinguish between what you visualize and what actually happens? When you imagine the light, your brain sends signals to your body as if it’s truly happening.

Just as anxiety and worry paint a bleak picture, this positive visualization can fill you with calm, comfort, and joy.

A Bright Christmas Wish for You

I want to end by sending light to you, wherever you are. Thank you for being here and for being exactly who you are. Thank you for the light you bring into the world – simply by being you.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Terés Salmi