How to Create your dream life while enjoying the holidays

This week is the special 59th episode of “The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday,” entitled “How to Create Your Dream Life while enjoying the holidays.” 

In this special episode, we look into something that feels especially close to my heart—the magic of this season. It’s a time of reflection, celebration, and, let’s be honest, sometimes a little chaos. But when we pause and really take it in, Chanukah, the New Year, and the Christmas holiday season offer this incredible opportunity to align with our dreams and the life we truly want to live rather than the one we are living now.

So today, we’re going to explore how these moments—the candles we light, the goals we set, and the connections we build—can become powerful parts of creating your dream life. Let’s get started!

Create Your Dream Life – Holiday Story

My wife is the key to my dream life. A long time ago, one of my mentors, Rav Noah Weinberg, taught me that a happy wife is a happy life. He also taught me that when you learn a really important life principle, repeat it in 101 different ways, and you will make it a part of you. For example, when my wife is happy, the family is happy.  When my wife is happy, I have less stress.  When my wife is happy, I get my favorite foods for dinner.  You get the idea.

My wife is always coming up with fun things to do with the kids, and she has one Chanukah tradition she made that deserves to be shared again and again.

Giving presents can be very stressful on your finances and with the pressure of picking out the perfect gifts.  Now, my daughter Tova has the perfect gift talent, but it definitely is a challenge for her parents.

We still try our best; however, every year, my wife takes one of our kid’s favorite candies and wraps it in newspaper.  She then wraps that gift in more and more layers of newspaper until the gift becomes quite large.

The first time we gave this present to each kid, they unwrapped layer after layer with great excitement, and the effort she made created great happiness for the kids.  Now that they know what’s coming, they take a video of themselves unwrapping to share with the family and sometimes a contest to see who can unwrap it fastest.

Just one story of how a spouse or friend, and in this case, my wife, can create your dream life during the holidays.

Chanukah: A Celebration of Light and Persistence

Let’s start with Chanukah. At its heart, Chanukah is a story about light in the middle of a time of darkness and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds. Think about it: the Maccabees didn’t have much going for them—outnumbered, under-resourced—but they had faith and determination. That little flame of belief lit the way to something miraculous.

Now, what does that mean for us? Life gets hard sometimes. We all face moments where the odds feel stacked against us, whether it’s a tough career move, a health struggle, or even just the day-to-day grind. Chanukah reminds us that even in those moments, we have the power to light a small flame and let it grow.

And guess what?  When that flame is shared with others, you start to create your dream life in the process.

The New Year: Fresh Starts and Big Dreams

Now, let’s talk about the New Year. There’s something magical about flipping the calendar to January 1. It’s like the universe is handing us a blank slate and saying, ‘Here, start fresh.’

But here’s the thing about fresh starts—they’re not just about resolutions or setting lofty goals. They’re about dreaming with intention. Ask yourself, ‘What does my dream life look like?’ Not the commercial-perfect version, but the one that feels authentic to you.

For me, the New Year is about aligning with what truly matters. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things—the things that move the needle toward the life you want. So, let’s make it practical and take the weekly podcast challenge below: 

Because here’s the truth: dreams don’t just happen—they’re built, one step at a time.”

The Broader Holiday Season: Connection and Gratitude

And then there’s the broader holiday season—the parties, the gifts, the traditions. But at its core, this time of year is about connection. It’s about coming together with the people who matter most, whether that’s family, friends, or even strangers in your community.

I’ll be honest—sometimes the holidays feel overwhelming. There’s so much to do—so many expectations to meet. But when we strip it all back, what we’re left with is this: an opportunity to show up for each other, to give and receive in ways that fill our hearts, not just our schedules.

And let’s not forget about gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of abundance. When we take time to reflect on what we already have—the people, the moments, even the lessons from tough times—it shifts something inside us. It opens us up to more joy and more possibility.

Integrating the Holidays Into Your Dream Life

Okay, so we’ve talked about light, fresh starts, and connection. But how do we take these themes and make them part of our dream life—not just for this season, but all year long?

The answer lies in creating traditions. Traditions don’t have to be elaborate or tied to a specific holiday. They just have to be meaningful, like my wife’s newspaper-wrapped candy. Maybe it’s lighting a candle at the end of each week and reflecting on your wins. Maybe it’s starting a gratitude journal or hosting a monthly dinner where everyone shares their dreams.

For me, one tradition I’ve embraced is picking one new thing I’ll improve on at the start of each year—not resolutions for wide-sweeping changes, but one change. It’s less about what I want to do and more about who I want to be. That small shift has made a huge difference in how I approach everything from work to relationships.

Lessons Learned and Final Reflection

Looking back on past holiday seasons, one thing I’ve learned is the importance of being present. The moments that stick with me aren’t the ones spent stressing over the perfect gift or the perfectly planned party. They’re the ones where I slowed down—when I really listened to someone, shared a laugh, or just sat quietly and took it all in.

This season is fleeting. Let’s not rush through it. Let’s savor it. Because these are the moments that build the dream life that we’re all or should be striving for.

Conclusion and Takeaway

Thank you for spending this time with me. I’d love to hear how you’re making this season meaningful—feel free to reach out and share your traditions, dreams, or even just what you’re grateful for. Until next time, take care and keep dreaming.

How to Master Mentoring Recap and Weekly Podcast Challenge

I hope you enjoyed this special episode about creating your dream life during the holidays.  The holidays aren’t just a time to celebrate—they’re a time to reflect, reset, and reconnect. Chanukah teaches us about persistence and light. The New Year gives us a chance to dream and start fresh. And the broader holiday season reminds us of the power of gratitude and connection.

So, this season, let’s not just go through the motions. Let’s use it as a springboard to step closer to our dream life, one candle, one goal, and one connection at a time.

 Here are a few quick exercises: 

1. Take a moment and think about one area in your life where things feel a little dark. What’s one small action—just one—that could bring a spark of light into that space? Maybe it’s reaching out to someone you care about, starting a journal, or committing to five minutes of mindfulness each morning. It doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.
2. What’s one dream or goal you’ve been putting off because it feels too big? Break it down into one small step you can take today. Maybe it’s as simple as sending an email, blocking off time to research, or even just saying the dream out loud.
3. Grab a piece of paper and write down two things you’re grateful for from this past year and two things you’re looking forward to in the next. Hold onto that list. Let it guide you into the new year with a spirit of appreciation and hope.
4. What’s one new tradition you can create this season? Think about something that aligns with your values and feels doable. Then, commit to it. That’s how we weave meaning into our everyday lives.

Please share your efforts and results, even if small, with me. It is the small efforts that mean a lot!

If you’re looking for a mentor and ready to take your personal growth seriously to see how it can transform your business, I’d love to help you. Visit my website and use the Work With Dave link to set up a free consultation. Let’s unlock your full potential together.

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