The Joy of Pausing

November 18, 2022

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Between season openers, championship games, homework, last minute food shopping, before we set out for travel or before our dining rooms are filled with family and friends . . . let’s take a pause.

We slow down this time of year to celebrate our successes, focus on where we can get better and most importantly, center ourselves in gratitude for all of the laughs, joy, growth, spirit and brotherhood that filled our Winaukee community over the course of the summer.

Pausing amidst the chaos of the daily to-do list is paramount to our overall health and well-being. What better time than when the days are shorter and the cooler weather encourages us indoors. Here are some ideas for how to rest and cultivate gratitude within your family this holiday season.

  • When your family is all together, eating a meal or in the car, take a moment to share something you are each grateful for. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude within yourself or your family this holiday season will help you see all of the wonderful things happening around you. Studies have shown that people who actively work at noticing what they are grateful for, are happier and more present on average in their day to day lives.

  • Send a text to a camp friend, counselor or family member just to say hi and check in. Even better, tell them how much you appreciate them and what about them you are grateful for! Connecting with our personal communities keeps us tethered to what is most important when things get hectic.

  • Cancel plans and have a family movie or game night. Make s’mores (with adult supervision) over your fireplace, stove or even using your microwave. Drink hot chocolate, make some popcorn, turn off your electronic devices and cozy up with your loved ones.

  • Around the holidays there is immense focus placed on THINGS, but there are also a lot of people in need. Find a local organization that needs additional support, volunteers or fundraising and dedicate some time as a family towards serving others. Helping others gives us a sense of purpose and connects us with new communities.

However you choose to pause and celebrate gratitude over the coming weeks, taking the time to lift others up and counting your blessings will add greater meaning to this holiday season.

Hold The Fort!

Ashleigh Jackowitz

Ashleigh Jackowitz

Ashleigh Jackowitz

Ashleigh grew up in Boise, Idaho and got her first taste of sleepaway camp in 2006 when she was hired to work on the waterfront at Camp Walt Whitman. She spent 5 summers there before joining the full-time team in 2012. Ashleigh attended Williamette University in Salem, Oregon as a college athlete in Volleyball. Prior to starting full time in camping, she took the chance to travel around the world, to every continent, over the course of 3 years. Teaching English in South Korea for a year was definitely a highlight! She has been involved with the American Camp Association as a Tri-State Conference Program Track Chair and is a speaker at multiple camp conferences. She also is a passionate advocate of Project Morry, an organization that helps youth from under-served communities attend summer camp, having served for many years on their Dare to Dream Committee. Her favorite role is as mom to their sons Cooper & Henry. Ashleigh, Matt, Cooper & Henry currently live in Ridgefield, CT.

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