It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?

As we head into December we now have all but one holiday left on the calendar for 2024 (we’re not counting eves) and the harsh, cold winter months looming right around the corner. Ugh, winter can distress us all, especially us from the State of Minnesota, but I like to try and think about the positives approaching...not just the negatives.

One positive is that the next season we are on the verge of is spring! It may seem so very far away in the future but with December, January and February being the coldest months in our state, it’s pleasant to know we only have to endure this dismay for three months (although the snow doesn’t always abide by these rules, I know.)

Another positive is that three of the four major sports teams are in action and each team is a viable contender for playoff action. The Vikings, of course are 9-2 and in second place in their division while the Wild are 13-4-4 and in second place in their division. The T-Wolves are struggling (without Townes, in my opinion) at 8-8 but they have excellent talent and should improve dramatically as the long, young season labors on.

And then, by the time the playoffs kick in, the Minnesota Twins are on the horizon to get their new season off the ground and before you know it, it’s Easter season and the weather starts to turn. (Thank God for sports action during these lowly months...what did people do before the inception of these sports teams?)

Another positive at this time of year is the discernment that — as the old saying goes — we get to bid adieu to the old year and bring in the new one come January 1. It’s a way of refreshing ourselves, cleansing ourselves and starting off on a new foot. Isn’t that why we all sing Auld Lang Syne — to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve?

A lot of people commit to a New Year’s resolution of “ leaving old habits behind” and stop doing this and stop doing that. I tend to lean towards — instead of removing something in your life that’s hindering you, instead add something to your life for the new year. Maybe take up volunteering for a few months and see where that goes. Maybe concentrate on paying things forward more than usual. Maybe focus on being kinder and friendlier to neighbors or co-workers. Maybe start giving to a valued charity in substitute for the expensive frothy coffee in the morning.

Pretty soon, if everyone decided to improve themselves by “adding” something to their lives instead of taking something away, some of those old habits won’t have to be part of your future resolutions down the road. Maybe your new-found gift of charity will rub off on someone who begins to do the same...

Maybe instead of piling up charges on our credit cards with gifts and presents to family and friends, we wean back on the spending and gift-giving and be a person in someone’s life instead of a wrapped box or a store-bought card.

I’m just throwing out ideas...Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the Christmas season and the anticipation of a grand New Year!