I hope you can enjoy this holiday season. Take some time to relax and reflect on this year. Appreciate the time you spend with one another throughout the holiday season. It can be busy driving from one celebration to the next but find time to take a breather and cherish the moments. Life goes by fast so enjoy the small moments and the moments with loved ones.

The holiday season is a beautiful time of year. While Iowa winter weather is never perfect, the holiday season is a time for joy and peace. Try to help those in need or cut someone slack during this holiday season. Let the good vibes of the season spread throughout. It is time to embrace the love and have a joyous time when possible.

Last year, our Christmas celebration was altered due to family illnesses, and it could have been a bummer. My wife and I decided to eat at a sushi restaurant on Christmas night, and we loved it so much we plan to do it again this year. Traffic was non-existent, and the busy mall’s parking lot was a ghost town. When we stepped foot into the restaurant, it felt like we and the other people at the restaurant were on a remote island long away from civilization. No one else besides those at the restaurant knew where we were. It was magical.

I hope you find your magical moment. Find the space to release the stress of the holiday season and have fun during these moments. Holidays have a weird way of being stressful so take pause and enjoy the time off given to these holidays. Cherish the moments with family and friends and find that magical moment you can do each year.

Be present by putting the phone down, talking to friends and family, and finding time to relax. Work brings enough stress so no need to bring it into the holiday season. The holidays are meant to be a joyous and wonderful time spent with family and friends. It is a happy time. If it is hard to find happiness, that is fine. Count your blessings, at least, because everyone is blessed with something in their life. Whether you celebrate all the holidays or none of the holidays, crack a cold one, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Take a deep breath and enjoy. Life is hard to slow down but the holidays provide an opportunity. I hope you and your family can find peace and happiness. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.