Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, Warriors!

As the holiday season unfolds, I want to reflect on the year, celebrate our wins, and inspire you to keep pushing forward into the New Year with strength, purpose, and joy.

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The Gift of Reflection

It has been a crazy few days and years. It still staggers me that my family and I were living in Japan just a few years ago, and now we live in Wichita. In just a few short years, things have changed dramatically.

We are back in Michigan celebrating Christmas with my family, but we stopped in Cleveland for a few days to meet some of my boy's friends from just two years ago. It amazes me how even the most minor things in our life journey can have a positive and lasting impact. I was amazed that even though we only spent two short years in Cleveland, the family and friends we met during that time came together to spend time and celebrate our family's visit.

Things have changed so much, making me think about gratitude for things accomplished.

Christmas is a time for gratitude and reflection.

This year, I have explored topics like overcoming regret with discipline, building guiding principles for success, and the power of daily wins.

As you celebrate with family and friends, reflect on the challenges you’ve conquered and the lessons you’ve learned. Every step forward is a step toward becoming the best version of yourself.

Stay In The Present

The Japanese word 懐かしい (natsukashii) translates to “nostalgic” or “dear to one’s heart.” It is often used to describe a warm, bittersweet feeling when recalling fond memories of the past—like childhood experiences, a familiar scent, or an old favorite song. I often incorrectly translate this word to the English phrase nostalgia, which can sometimes mean a longing for something lost.

The difference between these two words is significant for this holiday season. When I feel natsukashii about my time in Japan, I think about all the great experiences and friendships that made me who I am today.

When I get nostalgic about Japan, sometimes I get sad about leaving Japan and question why I even left. This is a less positive feeling.

It is important to remember to live in the moment during this holiday season and to be present with our kids and family.

In my article, “Get Off Your Butt & Play With Your Kids,” I emphasized the importance of being present.

The holiday season is the perfect time to unplug and fully engage with your loved ones. Whether it’s listening to your kids’ stories, playing a board game, or simply sharing a meal, these are the moments that truly matter.

The Power of Self-Mastery

It is Christmas, a time of out-of-control spending and chaos for some. When is a better time to focus on self-mastery?

As Kipling’s “If” highlights, success lies in mastering oneself. Please reference my newsletter, "How to Navigate Life With Integrity, Resilience and Self-Master" to learn more.

Use this festive season to recharge and realign with your core values. Reflect on your guiding principles and plan how to embody them in the year ahead. Remember, perseverance is power—stay consistent and disciplined.

Momentum Into The New Year

I am not a big believer in New Year's Resolutions. Instead, establishing goals, systems, and positive habits is the best approach to improving daily. It should be something we are actively working on every day of the year on that journey we call life.

Start building momentum now for 2025. I have written about how mornings can set the tone for the entire day and every day.

This holiday, create a morning routine that includes gratitude, reflection, and even small victories—whether that’s a workout, journaling, or finishing a chapter of a book.

A Warriors Wish

Every day is an opportunity to grow, learn, and push forward. This Christmas, I encourage you to find moments of joy, embrace the challenges, and celebrate the wins—big or small. Your journey is yours alone, but I hope my newsletters inspire and guide you along the way.

Thank you for being part of The Day Warrior community this year. Your commitment to personal growth and resilience motivates me to keep creating and sharing content that matters.

Please have a Christmas filled with love, laughter, and the drive to make 2025 your best year. Stay strong, stay disciplined, and stay warrior-minded.

The Day Warrior

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