Christmas Letters and E-mails—What Are Your Thoughts?
12/23/2021
My family has never been one to write a “Christmas Letter” that summarizes the past years’ events, challenges, and hopes for the future—but we read every one that we get from others. For us, we have always seemed to take life as it happens, accept the ups and downs that naturally occur in any given year, and continue to move forward toward our long-term goals. We’ve had those extremely difficult years, but our faith has been the foundation of how we handle those situations, accepting that God is sovereign and has a plan for us that we can adapt to and gain the lessons He wants us to learn.
Some may be reading this and think, “So you just coast through life, take what it gives you, and don’t even try to challenge yourself????” Absolutely not. We have clear objectives, long-term plans and take deliberate action to ensure we are maximizing all our efforts. We don’t succeed at all of them, but that means we are setting the bar high enough that focused, deliberate effort is required to meet those challenging goals. The difference is that when things occur that we have no control over, we don’t get too worried or anxious about what happens next. We do what we can, make the necessary adjustments, and move forward. For instance, five and a half years ago when Peggy was diagnosed with breast cancer that would require major surgery and a long recovery, it didn’t even break into our, “Top ten list of most challenging times in our life as a couple.” We simply assessed the situation, made the appropriate decisions, took the necessary actions, and prayed like it all depended on God for the outcome.
We have a handful of friends and relatives that do write those letters, and we anticipate getting each one. My aunt in Scottsdale, AZ who is retired and loves to do fun things. Our dear friend at church who lost her husband this year after a long illness, and yet still wrote the most joyful and appreciative letter. She admitted that her poetry was not as good as her late husband’s, but we could still see his hand in the wording. Then there’s the couple with 6 children who have a child with an incurable disease who gets experimental treatments as a normal course of his life, and has already lived longer than expected. He’s three now. Their updates have somber and factual parts, but joyfulness and appreciation for the growth of all their children. They are much like us. They take life one day at a time, and push forward with faith and purpose.
What about you? Are you a letter writer? Do you send gifts or cards to clients this time of the year? Do you get many cards or gifts from clients? We’d like to know.
By the way…. If you send me an annual letter, I promise to read every word and put it with the ones we eagerly anticipate each year!
Don Tyler
Tyler & Associates
“Helping Employers and Employees Work Better Together”
www.dontyler.com
don@dontyler.com
Ph: 765-490-0353
My family has never been one to write a “Christmas Letter” that summarizes the past years’ events, challenges, and hopes for the future—but we read every one that we get from others. For us, we have always seemed to take life as it happens, accept the ups and downs that naturally occur in any given year, and continue to move forward toward our long-term goals. We’ve had those extremely difficult years, but our faith has been the foundation of how we handle those situations, accepting that God is sovereign and has a plan for us that we can adapt to and gain the lessons He wants us to learn.
Some may be reading this and think, “So you just coast through life, take what it gives you, and don’t even try to challenge yourself????” Absolutely not. We have clear objectives, long-term plans and take deliberate action to ensure we are maximizing all our efforts. We don’t succeed at all of them, but that means we are setting the bar high enough that focused, deliberate effort is required to meet those challenging goals. The difference is that when things occur that we have no control over, we don’t get too worried or anxious about what happens next. We do what we can, make the necessary adjustments, and move forward. For instance, five and a half years ago when Peggy was diagnosed with breast cancer that would require major surgery and a long recovery, it didn’t even break into our, “Top ten list of most challenging times in our life as a couple.” We simply assessed the situation, made the appropriate decisions, took the necessary actions, and prayed like it all depended on God for the outcome.
We have a handful of friends and relatives that do write those letters, and we anticipate getting each one. My aunt in Scottsdale, AZ who is retired and loves to do fun things. Our dear friend at church who lost her husband this year after a long illness, and yet still wrote the most joyful and appreciative letter. She admitted that her poetry was not as good as her late husband’s, but we could still see his hand in the wording. Then there’s the couple with 6 children who have a child with an incurable disease who gets experimental treatments as a normal course of his life, and has already lived longer than expected. He’s three now. Their updates have somber and factual parts, but joyfulness and appreciation for the growth of all their children. They are much like us. They take life one day at a time, and push forward with faith and purpose.
What about you? Are you a letter writer? Do you send gifts or cards to clients this time of the year? Do you get many cards or gifts from clients? We’d like to know.
By the way…. If you send me an annual letter, I promise to read every word and put it with the ones we eagerly anticipate each year!
Don Tyler
Tyler & Associates
“Helping Employers and Employees Work Better Together”
www.dontyler.com
don@dontyler.com
Ph: 765-490-0353
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