Merry Christmas

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
Charles Dickens
1812 – 1870

Christmas is both a joyful and a stressful time of year. Celebrating with the people we love can be quite enjoyable. But given the demands of the season — the time, effort and expense of buying gifts, visiting friends and relatives, and preparing special meals — Christmas can also be quite stressful.

The pressure of all this activity can easily diminish the joy of the season. If you find you’re feeling stressed, stop and take a deep breath. Then take a few minutes to focus on what’s important in your life. Try not to dwell on people, things, or experiences that you’re missing; focusing on the negative only intensifies unpleasant feelings. Shift your attention to what you do have and be grateful for your blessings.

One of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season is to find ways to serve others. If you can help someone less fortunate, please take the time to do so. It will greatly increase your own feelings of goodwill.

It’s unfortunate, but for some people, Christmas is a lonely and depressing time of year. For those who are alone because a loved one is away or has passed on, holiday celebrations can be extremely difficult. It can be very depressing to see others having a good time when you feel alone and isolated.

Remember to embrace the spirit of the season whenever you can. Contact people who are alone and lonely. Mend relationships that have been strained. Even a smile given to a stranger can make a tremendous difference.

Spread the Spirit of Christmas. It’s one of the best gifts you can give — and it will come back as a gift to you.

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?
Bob Hope
1903 – 2003