11/09/2019
The Holidays are coming. The Holidays are often difficult for a number of reasons, lost relationships, loved ones who have passed on and in some cases were the center of our holiday celebration. The reality that the Holidays are just “not the same as they used to be.” The expectations we put on ourselves, grief and so on. Along with suggestions about how to get through the holidays, like volunteering, reaching out to someone in need, starting new traditions, allowing yourself to say no if you do not want to do something or feel uncomfortable and doing what helps you to take care of yourself, I suggest the practice of Gratitude.
Thanksgiving will be here soon. It is a time when we celebrate giving thanks. Sometimes we may not be feeling so thankful. I suggest spending time quietly in God’s presence then allow the thoughts of the things in your life you are grateful for to come. Express gratitude for these things or persons. I recently gave a talk at church and stated some of the things I am grateful for and this is what I said.
“The principle of gratitude is important to me. During some hard times in my life, suffering some tragic losses, I learned to practice the principle of gratitude. I learned to practice it daily to lift my spirits, reduce anxiety and depression and help me live with my losses. Reflecting on this as I prepared this talk, I am grateful to God for St. Luke’s and that means all of you. I am grateful seeing the spirit at work among us. I am grateful for my husband, my home, Prescott, my family, my practice, my health. I am grateful God lifted me up during the hardest times in my life. He did not let me go. I am grateful.”
I will add I am grateful for the opportunity to write this post. It helps me to stay focused on what I am grateful for and to embrace the changes this season brings to my personal holiday celebrations instead of being sad about what was; embracing the memories with a grateful heart.
