We all have our favorite holiday, our favorite time of the year, and we all have our reasons…well…my favorite time of the year is Christmas! So, I’m pretty dang excited, especially today. 
 
For those of y’all who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas, and to those who do not, Happy Holidays! 
 
Trust me, I love opening presents and I love giving people presents as well, but I don’t love Christmas just because of the gifts. I love this season in general, from the moment Christmas lights, trees and decorations start to go up, spirits change. I admire the kindness and “in the spirit of the holidays” response to doing something good. Watching others pay for the person behind them in line and seeing everyone smile and hug because they are filled with joy. The best part is seeing everyone, children and adults alike, walk into a room or a Christmas display and seeing their eyes light up and sparkle as they gaze at the remarkable spaces before them.  

It is phrase we often hear, or at least one that I often hear passed around: "Why not?". I have just finished my first semester of junior year at the University of Dayton, and I am currently in what is supposed to be the best time of my life, and trust me, it is. But, owning a business, managing a social life, and trying to balance schoolwork without losing my sanity is a lot, especially when people keep saying, "why not?". 

It can reference a question such as "Should I talk to him" or "Should I do it", and "why not" in that sense speaks to only having one life and trying to live with no regrets. It highlights our nature and desire to take risks and to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. But, it can also be a response to, "I don't want to" or "That is not something I enjoy". Having someone ask you "why not" to that implies judgment, whether intentional or not. But, it also makes you think. Why don’t you want to do something, why don’t you enjoy it?

I am all for taking risks, for living our best lives and for running towards what scares us rather than running away. I live for adventure and trying something new, for being bold and confident. So why not do something crazy; why not break out of your comfort zone; why not do something you have always wanted to do? For those in college, where conversations tend to center around parties and relationships, why not talk to the guy you think is attractive; why not make new friends; why not explore a new area of town or your campus? That is what life is all about, because unless what you want to do is illegal or going to harm yourself or others, what is holding you back?