Staying in the Holiday Spirit

The holiday season can either be exciting and joyous, or saddening and lonely. How you experience it is completely up to you. Your thoughts, your activities, and the kind of situations you put yourself into generate your feelings. If you want to change how you feel, simply change what you are doing, and this will help change your feelings. What makes you feel sadder during the holidays? What makes you feel more disconnected, out of touch with the spirit of the holidays? Right now make a quick list of the activities, or lack thereof. Do something different about two of these right now.

Here are some more attitude-altering activities to help you stay in (or get into) the holiday spirit:

• Don't have plans? Volunteer! Helping those in need can do wonders for your attitude. Get involved with group activities. Or call up some friends and plan a small get together.

• Aren't looking forward to seeing family? Take interest in each of your relatives as you speak to them, in a much deeper way than ever before. You may enjoy them for a change.

• Exhausted from cooking and running around? Take an hour, half-hour or even 15 minutes all to yourself. Don't do chores, errands, clean up, etc. Don't do anything you have to do, even if you feel guilty. Do whatever YOU like.

• Don't have plans for New Year's Eve? Make some now, whether to see a show, a play, or get together with friends. Or designate New Year's Eve as the time to reflect over the past year and dream about the next year.

• Not having fun? Play and be creative. Do something childlike, even if you don't feel like it, even if you think it's silly, even if you don't have time or don't want to bother. Better yet, play with a child. You'll find it deeply satisfying.

• Wishing you were in a relationship? Or, wishing your relationship was better? Do a grand scale gratitude list for what you do have and what is working in your life. It won't fix the relationship situation, but it will fix your attitude.

Start using these tips now to put yourself in the holiday spirit and enjoy the holidays!

- by Brenda Ross

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