Tis the season to be… To be what? Joyful? Grumpy? Happy? Sad? I choose grateful. This season I will be grateful, sharing and more loving.

Dr. Andrew Weil was on the cover of Time in October. He is perhaps best known as one of the physicians who is totally open about practicing medicine in a holistic way, viewing his patients as more than just their physical bodies. They’re also mental and spiritual beings.

One of the most interesting concepts brought out in the story was the one of creating an ethical will. According to Weil, “One way to promote spiritual well-being is through the writing of an ethical will. An ordinary will or last testament mainly concerns the disposition of your material possessions at death. An ethical will has to do with nonmaterial gifts: the values and life lessons that you wish to leave to others… no matter how old you are, it will make you take stock of your life experience and distill from it the values and wisdom you have gained.” Something struck a note of resonance in me as I read his final comments on this process, “It can be a wonderful gift to leave to your family at the end of your life, but I think its primary importance is what it can give you in the midst of life.”

When was the last time you took stock of your life in terms of what you have learned thus far? Sure, some of the lessons may have been tough, but you survived. And not just survived, but, in many cases came out much richer and with a deeper understanding of yourself in the process. How have you been changed and who has been witness to your process? And, then what can you pass along to the next generation about how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned?

I was at a family gathering recently. They reserved a private dining room at a local restaurant and the whole gang filled up a huge table. The event was a “coming of age” celebration for a young man, Dan, who had recently turned 18 and was out of high school. After the meal, it was proposed that each person tell Dan what he meant to them in their lives and share something they had learned about life and wanted to pass on to him. As I listened to each person’s story, I watched the smile spread across Dan’s face. He began to actually glow with the appreciation and love each person was sending to him. What a wonderful experience to witness.

I thought about this moment as I began to write this month’s editorial. At this time of year when families and friends gather, what a great opportunity we have to share, in a meaningful way, something special about them. This is a gift much more precious and rare than jewels or gold. And it is totally appropriate for everyone, whatever their age.
I propose we start a new tradition with our loved ones this year. Take gratitude and appreciation to the next level. And bring to your holiday festivities a golden nugget, something you have learned along the way that you can share. We all have storehouses of “treasures” that are there just waiting to be passed on to others. These are the things that are lasting, precious and true. Your words have the power to change lives.

Choose wisely, share often and love abundantly this season.