Director's Message December 20, 2024
VAPIHCS Veterans, The holidays are different for everyone. Some celebrate Christmas, others celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza. Some celebrate Solstice and the anticipation of the return of the light.
Amidst all these different experiences, Veterans and employees share common threads like holidays spent far from home and missed opportunities to be with family to celebrate unique traditions.
This year, some of us may feel that our nation is divided. We can combat that feeling by adding unity and love to our holiday activities. Here are some practical ideas to help you celebrate the season with these values in mind:
Learn About Different Traditions: Take time to educate yourself and others about various cultural and religious celebrations during the holiday season, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. This can foster empathy and respect through learning.
Share Family Traditions: Encourage everyone to share their unique family traditions through storytelling, music, or food. This not only celebrates diversity but also helps build connection.
Volunteer Together: Organize a group volunteer event at a local charity or community organization. You might consider volunteering for VA through one of our excellent programs like the Compassionate Contact Corps. Contact the VAPIHCS Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Schoen Safotu at Schoen.safotu@va.gov to learn more.
Create a Gratitude Tree: Set up a gratitude tree where family and friends can add notes expressing what they are thankful for. This visual representation of appreciation can enhance feelings of unity and love within your group.
Write Letters of Appreciation: Write heartfelt letters to friends and family expressing your love and gratitude. This practice can deepen connections and spread joy during the holiday season.
Set Up a Cozy Atmosphere: One of our Whole Health circles of health is “surroundings,” because your environment influences your mood. Use decorations like string lights, candles, and festive scents to create a warm environment that invites togetherness. A welcoming space can make gatherings more enjoyable and memorable.
Practice Mindful Meditation: Set aside time for mindfulness or meditation sessions to connect with oneself and promote inner peace. This practice can help individuals approach gatherings with a calm mindset, fostering unity.
As we celebrate this holiday season, let us embrace the spirit of unity. In a world that often feels divided, it’s the bonds we share - of kindness, understanding, and love - that truly bring us together. Let this season remind us of the strength found in togetherness, and inspire us to lift each other up, celebrate our differences, and build a brighter future side by side. Also remember to check on each other, as the holidays can be a difficult time. Share the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1.
From our ohana to yours, wishing you peace, joy, and a renewed sense of connection throughout this special season.
As a reminder, all VAPIHCS clinics will be closed on Christmas Day. May God bless you this holiday season, and may He bless the United States of America.
Thoughts from Chaplain Richie Charles
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent a record $964.4 Billion on holiday purchases last year, and it’s projected that Americans will spend $902 per person on holiday gifts this year in 2024. But through the years, I’ve come to learn that some of the most valuable gifts that we can offer cannot be bought or sold. I’d like to focus on three of them today – time, forgiveness, and encouragement.
Time - perhaps our most valuable asset. It’s limited, and irreplaceable. Once spent, it is gone forever. To offer someone quality time and undivided attention is to provide them irreplaceable portions of your life. I find that offering someone something as simple as a truly listening ear can be among the rarest of gifts - one that makes them feel seen, heard, and valued.
Forgiveness – To paraphrase a quote “forgiveness is deciding to set the captive free, only to realize that the one captive, was me.” Forgiveness set us free to move on, heal and grow. Forgiveness can feel like one of the most difficult of gifts to extend to someone else, but once we do, we may find that it’s among the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves. For some, holding on to the memory of past wrongs makes them feel right. But I like when Oprah Winfrey asked, “do you want to be right, or do you want peace?”
Encouragement – Words of genuine encouragement can uplift someone in ways that few things can. Taking the time to notice someone’s efforts, affirm their value, or inspire hope can be life-changing and breathe new enthusiasm into someone’s being.
During this holiday season, let us not forget that sometimes the greatest gifts we can offer are truly priceless.
One Team, One Ohana!
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
VADM, MC, USN, (RET)
36th Surgeon General, USN
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