THANKSGIVING

 

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We’re now officially into the holiday season. This is the time of year when pleasant memories can be created. It is also the time of year that nightmares can be born. Some of the challenge is our expectations.

Around this time of year, holiday specials show families gathering together in calm and beautiful harmony. As with much of the media, these well-crafted images are fabrications. Life is not as simple as a two hour movie of the week portrays. Yet much of life’s beauty and mystery lies in that complexity.

This complicatedness may feel like a challenge, especially if you like to keep things in control. Life does not control well. People make jokes that sometimes don’t feel funny. “Helpful” comments feel critical rather caring. And stray occurrences like traffic accidents, losing power and septic systems backing up can happen without warning.

So what is important to keep in mind this time of year? Deep breaths, patience, and flexibility.

So…

·         Journal about your expectations. It can be important to know what holiday story line you’re holding in your mind. Those expectations are there whether you acknowledge them or not. It’s better to understand your vision for this time of year. Then if things don’t going as expected you’ll understand your feelings. Or you may identify hopes that you’re harboring that will never come true. For example, if your family doesn’t like to sing together, don’t expect bonding around the piano singing carols. Discovering your expectations and hopes allows you to match them up with more realistic happenings.

·         Journal your concerns about the holidays so that you can craft coping strategies to pair with them.

·         Journal ideas for the holidays. Just because your family hasn’t sung carols before—maybe they will be willing to try it this year. Consider this as a possibility not a requirement. If it happens and it’s fun, great. If no one wants to do it, there are other ways to share joy in the season. Consider sending cards to connect with others. Or write yourself notes of encouragement and mail yourself a card. In the midst of the confusion, you can receive an inspiring note reminding yourself to breathe.

·         Create a gratitude journal. Capture images that you are thankful for. Today when I left work, there was a beautiful sunset and a huge full shimmering moon. I felt connected to nature and to something larger than myself. And now my dog is shaking her stuffed squirrel and trying to get me to play. I’m thankful that she reminds me of simple pleasures and the joy of fooling around and having fun. What are you thankful for?

 

Write On!

 

Best,

Martha Peaslee Levine, M.D.

 

Comments

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Thanks for sharing, this is a wonderful event of the year and I think we should let our hearts filled with love.