WHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER?
After the presents are unwrapped, the dinners are eaten, and the songs are sung, what will you remember about this holiday season? Was all the stress and worry necessary?
“What should I get Uncle Walter? “”When will I have time to shop?” “How will I find the money for gifts?” “What should I prepare for the holiday meal? “ “What should I wear?” “How can I stick to my diet?” “How will I find time to write my Christmas cards?”
Somehow it all gets done. And we could have done it without the angst. The tortoise and the hare. We race around like hares, rushing to do all of the errands, instead of walking calmly like the tortoise, who still finishes the race. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the shopping for gifts, the writing of cards, and the preparation of food? We can, if only we would walk instead of run.
Let us find perspective on the true meaning of Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukah, or whatever the occasion for families to gather. I hope we remember the smiles of children opening presents from Santa. I hope we remember the warmth of good food and good conversation with our loved ones. I hope we remember to focus on the spirituality of the season. I hope we remember to not stress same time next year. And I hope we remember that not all families have food and money and shelter. Let us make our holidays about giving to others, instead of focusing on ourselves.
Let us resolve to do it better next year, to pace ourselves, to do less, play more. Let us decide to BE instead of DO. Life is not a race.
Make 2012 calmer than 2011. All is calm, all is bright.
LIFE GOES ON©
Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples. You may call her at 860-236-5555 to make an appointment. She is the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.” You may email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.
www.kathleencairns.com
Life goes on… and every day matters…
