The True Measure of Riches: Wealth of the Heart and Soul

In this video, we dive into the importance of self-care and emotional well-being during the busy holiday season. From managing health while juggling responsibilities to coping with grief, the holidays can be a difficult time for many, especially those who have lost loved ones.

We also discuss how the pressure of consumerism and the focus on material gifts can overshadow the true meaning of Christmas—love, compassion, and human connection. Whether you're dealing with grief, feeling isolated, or simply trying to find balance, this video offers gentle reminders to prioritize your emotional health, reach out to others, and embrace the spirit of togetherness.

If you’re looking for ways to stay grounded, nurture your well-being, and create meaningful connections this holiday season, this video is for you. Remember, self-care isn't just about the physical—it’s about the emotional care you give yourself too.

💬 Leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on managing holiday stress or ways you practice self-care!

About the host:

Jennifer Beckford is the founder of the Nicholas Stewart Project, a loving mother, and a believer in the power of community development and its resilience.

For as long as she can remember, Jennifer has been passionate about helping others. Throughout her adult life, she continues to give her time in the service of helping others, even when, on occasions, it seems impossible!

Jennifer says: “I feel compelled to do at least one voluntary task each week”.


Follow us:
Facebook: @nicholasstewartproject
Facebook: @thetrumpetsounds
LinkedIn: The Nicholas Stewart Project
Instagram: @_thensp

Transcript

Greetings, greetings my friends, how are you today? We are alive despite the circumstances of life. God be praised, God is good, God is great. Nice to see you again, Veronica. How has your week been? Actually, how have you been?

Veronica: I've been, um, I've had a bit of a cold, so I will try not to cough through this podcast. But I've been fine, I've been busy, I've been grateful, but also just trying to look after myself a bit more as well.

Host: Yes, indeed, self-care. Yes, yes.

Host: I've been really busy myself. And, um, in this episode, we're going to focus a bit more on self-care, and also the fact that we are running into the Christmas season. Yeah, the Christmas season where everybody's busy trying to do this, trying to do that, and all the rest of it. It's a rat race trying to push things through before the year ends.

Host: And just like that, time is like water, it just disappears, right? You got to make the most of it while we're on Earth.

Host: Absolutely, and whilst people are running about doing XYZ and all the rest of it, the preparation for the Christmas season, they have to remember, you have to remember that you have to look after yourself. And for the past week, past weeks, I have been actually taking stock of myself, because even though I talk about self-care, I don't think I've been doing a good job of it. Before I came on, as I was telling you, before, for some reason I felt like I had a slight cold, and I know that's contributed to the different things that are actually going on in my head. You have so many things you're trying to get done, trying to push through, and before you know it, you're behind and you're still pushing through, not realizing that it is one body.

Host: And like now, I just feel like I need to give myself a slap.

Veronica: I will give you a spiritual slap. Here you go. slap sound

Host: Sometimes you need that spiritual slap.

Veronica: Okay, yes, yes, yes, I need to behave. I need to behave.

Host: So, as we're talking about getting into this season, for some families it can be a very emotional thing. While some of us, like myself, don't really celebrate Christmas, but even then, you find yourself getting caught up one way or the other.

Veronica: Yeah, and I am really, I know, I am really sympathetic, and my heart goes out to families who have lost their loved ones. I know in this time, people use it as a time to come together, where they see friends and their loved ones and all of that. And while some families are happy, some families are sad, and that's the reality. And I see this season where, as people in general, just... they have this, this laugh, this unusual laugh, they're more happy. You know, normally for us who live in the season of winter, you know that winter can be very depressing for some people. But when it comes on to like the Christmas time, it lifts up their spirits one way or the other.

Veronica: And I am particularly, if we are talking about self-care now, I'm particularly mindful for the families who have lost loved ones, especially recently. Because I know from... I know for myself when... and even now, even now, you remember that, oh my sons are not here, my nephew is not here. I think about the other families, and when you speak to each family that has lost someone, you can feel the pain. And so, because I'm in that position, I can empathize, I understand. I may not know the level of their pain, but I can empathize because the smile is not there, the happiness is not there, but the good thing is they can think on the good memories, the lovable memories.

Veronica: I think with, you know, as you're speaking about Christmas, um, you have everyone that's present here, right? You have physical form, and then you have that spiritual form of, you know, are my loved ones may be with me, but their love is with... like, love is eternity, right? It's eternal. And but you miss that absence, you miss that touch, you miss that physical form of them.

Veronica: But then that love doesn't die, you know? And I know for me, like, Christmas time, as much as it's exciting for the children, yeah, where we've experienced loss, I do have a moment where I just look around and just think how fragile life can be.

Host: Absolutely, and that's why, you know, relationships are even more meaningful. And, um, so you have this moment where you look around and you just think, "Oh, you know, it used to be full, like full, like everybody I loved was in this room, and now it's, um, now, you know, it's changed." The dynamic of family changes. Your family grows. Like, in our family, we've lost two boys, you know, my partner and my nephew, but we've also gained two boys with my son-in-law and my grandson. And it's just like the cycle... the cycle of life, right?

Veronica: Yes, yes. So, to be grateful, but also, your wounds do open up at that time.

Host: Absolutely, absolutely.

Veronica: Yeah. And, um, on that note, I would just say to families, people, friends, anybody, whatever, if you are... if there are people around you who have lost someone, and I can imagine everybody has lost, but especially when you have lost somebody suddenly, that is the most painful situation. When somebody's ill, you know, not... and not saying it unkindly, but you are aware where they are at. Yeah, and so you know that somewhere... we're not saying that none of us is going to go, depart from Mother Earth, but what I'm saying is, when you see, when you have your family member, you have to nurse, you care for them during their time of sickness, and then, you know, you see the journey where they're going. So that is less painful, if that makes sense. But when somebody just suddenly gets ripped away from you, that... you have the trauma. Yeah, you have that trauma, and trauma is not a thing that is healed overnight.

Host: Right.

Host: So, as the world on a whole is entering into this season, remember, a family, you may not celebrate Christmas, but remember that family who is on their own. Yeah, remember that single mom who is on her own. Remember that dad who is on his own. Yeah, that brother, that friend, yeah. Reach out, even a phone call.

Veronica: Yeah.

Host: Just to keep people in mind, right? Just make sure, in mind, to spread that love.

Veronica: That's right.

Host: Because love is... and love is not just within your circle. Love is... you spread the love around. Because Jesus was, and still is our example. Because when He was on Earth, He didn't just come for His own.

Veronica: Yeah.

Host: The less fortunate, those that people wouldn't even look on, He came for the widow. He saw the harlots, the prostitutes, the thieves, the robbers. So, I think as a people, we can have that extra care, that extra compassion, and kindness one towards another. Yeah, and at the same time, while we are giving a helping hand, while we are extending our love and compassion to others, let us remember to look after ourselves.

Veronica: Amen.

Host: Amen. And I think that's where the struggle is, right? Because we've spoken about this a lot over our session, shall I say. Yes, you know, where you give, you give energy, but you also have to retain energy for yourself.

Veronica: Absolutely.

Host: And also remember that everybody you know is on their own journey, right? So you can gently be with people on their journey, but at the same time, yes, they need to work through their stuff.

Veronica: And, you know, we spread love, but that love and that compassion... that compassion and care needs to also be reflected back onto you by yourself.

Host: Absolutely.

Veronica: And Christmas is... it is a beautiful celebration, but it's also a realization of what used to be and what is now.

Host: Yes, yes.

Veronica: What is important. What is important, because a lot of people get involved in Christmas, but they don't know the real meaning of it. They don't know the real meaning of it, because if they did, they would really understand that actually, Christmas is not... it's really just about love and understanding, right?

Host: Yes, and giving. So giving, giving love. I think we are... we've gone all over, but yes, I believe it's all about the care of self, the care of your loved ones, and also that understanding, that empathy. That empathy is key, right?

Veronica: Yes. So, that's our message. That's our message.

Host: Amen, and I believe in wrapping up, we will be heading into Christmas and looking after each other. Love and support. Keep your family close. Keep your spirit close. Keep your faith close, right?

Veronica: Yes.

Host: We are a family. We are one. So let's care for one another.

Veronica: Absolutely.