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Christmas

7 years ago

Christmas is a happy time for many, but can be a sad time for those who have dysfunctional families to the point of having little or no contact between parents and children, or contact that is fraught with blame or unhappiness.

This Christmas/holiday, be proactive, and Christmas is soon so start planning now. If you know that you either will be alone or that the visits from your children will make you sad, plan instead to have a day that will make you happy.

There is no better way to take your mind off of your own troubles than by volunteering to lighten the load of sorrows of others. Volunteer at a senior center or plan to visit a needy friend or a needy family you know of. Volunteer at a pet shelter. Or get a group of friends that are not going to have family that day together and have a Christmas potluck dinner.

I am a firm believer that no matter what our social or economic circumstance might be, if we take active steps to invite happiness into our home by our actions and outlook, it will come. If we don't do that, sadness, like cold winter air, may slip through and hurt us. Make your holiday happy this year, do something to help others, and by doing that, help yourself.

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Comment (1)

sushipup1
7 years ago
Well said. I'll also add that one way to cause holiday misery is to have unrealistic expectations. If your family dynamics are always horrible on holidays, then start to accept that as a fact, and move on. You can't continue to expect that this year will be different, this year people won't hurt me, this year I'll be happy. At this point, take your life into your own hands, as Lucille says.

Yeah. you might still have to put in an appearance at the event that upsets you, but start managing your expectations of the event and the people. Just plan an early exit, or whatever, but take action to protect your own well-being.
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