Passions in the Festive Season
Living with passion is a key element in the PATH to true wealth; and it is the first area I discuss in my book. Passion may bring up images of artists immersed in their creative processes, or new lovers strolling in the park holding hands. This indeed is passion.
However, I am speaking about pragmatic passion, where we do things from the heart. Doing more of what we love generates passion in our lives. They are things we do because we want to do them; such as taking care of our family, or indulging in a favourite activity.
The opposite end of this spectrum is fear, where we do things out of obligation, then we are not doing them because we want to do them, we are doing them because we should do them. These socially imposed should dos can take up a lot of our resources and decrease our overall quality of life and wealth.
This is especially timely to think about during in holiday season, where there are traditions and expectations that can create a lot of stress and detract from the joy of the festive season.
What can you do this season to increase your passion and move from experiencing fear (or stress and overwhelm) to love? Just take out a should do and replace it with a want to do. This sounds very simple, I know. And if you are feeling ambitious, then you can eliminate many should dos and add in multiple want to dos.
Watch the Poster Come to Life
Click to Step Into the Story
For my should dos, I am giving up my self-pressure to send Christmas cards. I actually love this tradition, and would compile a large mailing list and mail friends and family cards every year. It made me feel ‘on top of things.’ But as our life became more complex, so did this task; the post got more expensive (about £120) and it became more time consuming (two long evenings). In addition, now we have social media as a replacement for posting cards.
As for what I want to do this Christmas to make it a little more special, I have given this some thought, and I have decided to add in baking cookies. Cookies? Yes, it is a small thing I know.
I got the idea when I saw some delicious cookies in a downtown shop the other day for £6 each. I thought: I could make cookies like that! I can make two dozen for about £20 worth of ingredients. In an afternoon, I can joyfully bake the equivalent of £288 of those cookies.
I remember my parents baking cookies every holiday season and then giving them out to friends and guests during the Christmas time ‘visiting’ ritual we had in our small town. I also have fond memories of baking cookies with my daughter when she was younger. So, this is the ritual I plan to bring back into our Christmas this year.
Now your turn: what should dos would you like to eliminate this Christmas? What want to dos would you like to replace them with to make this festive season memorable?
About the Author
Dr. Cora Pettipas, CFP is an award-winning global financial strategist, bestselling author, and creator of the Compass Star PATH system. Through her writing, speaking, and financial planning work, she helps individuals build Passion, Abundance, Time, and Health into their lives.
Learn more about Dr. Cora Pettipas by clicking here.
Continue Your PATH Journey
The Peacock and the Beaver is part of the Abundance Pillar of the Compass Star PATH to True Wealth System (Passion, Abundance, Time, Health), which explores money mindset, mindful spending, financial choices, and the difference between looking wealthy and building lasting wealth.
You may also enjoy:
The Cinderella Complex
What dreams have you been saving for “someday” while life keeps you busy? Like Cinderella, many of us become so busy meeting expectations that we never make time to create the life we truly want. We tell ourselves we’ll pursue what matters most after the next promotion, milestone, or life event. Discover how paying yourself first, with both money and time, can help you nourish your passions, support your goals, and begin building your own happily ever after. The magic is in the preparation. Even miracles take a little time.
The Lion in the Mirror: Become Who You Truly Are With The 1-1-1 Method
How much of your life has been shaped by your own dreams, and how much by the expectations of others? The person you’re meant to become may already be staring back at you. Discover the 1-1-1 Method and learn how small, intentional actions can help you become more of who you truly are. Your inner lion is waiting to be seen.
A Wealth of Choice
One of the greatest gifts of wealth is choice. Yet more choices can also bring more pressure, expectations, and “should dos.” Just because something is available to you, or considered the “best” by others, doesn’t mean it is the best choice for your life. Discover how discernment and the Compass Star framework can help you navigate opportunities with confidence and stay true to what matters most. Because true wealth is having the freedom to choose your own path.
Provide What is Priceless
Some of life’s most treasured memories come with surprisingly small price tags. In a world that often equates expensive experiences with meaningful ones, it’s easy to feel pressure to spend more in pursuit of the perfect family moments. Discover how simple traditions, shared quality time and meaningful moments can create priceless, lasting memories without compromising your other financial goals. Sometimes the most valuable things we can provide have no price tag at all.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not personal financial advice.