The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I already see posts about Christmas Holidays. The dread of it all! Please figure out what Christmas and New Years really means to you, and then keep it simple. More money spent doesn't make it better. It seems I see more unhappiness during the holidays than anything else. It's enough to have to deal with grumpy relatives and drunk people.... Don't let these days get to you. You have the power and you are in control of yourself, make a plan and stick to it. Relax don't stress. og
__________________
Don't Worry About Growing Old, It Is A Privilege For Some Of Us.....
I like Christmas. It lasts 12 days for me after 12/25 and multiple days before that, too. I love the lights, the sparkle, the scent of pine, the baubles and the music. I figure if one day is a little off, I've multiple other days to enjoy the season. Thanksgiving is good for me, too, with the exception of the food. I don't like it that much. I do like the pies, though. And its always a 4 day holiday for me, too. Oh, yes. I do like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Then, my birthday shows up mid-January. I celebrate it all month, so it holds me over until Valentine's Day when I give thanks I'm not a man in a relationship. I can just sit around eating cherry flavored, heart-shaped jujubes enjoy the little somethings I've purchased for my kids and Dad. No great expense on flowers and chocolate or jewelry. Nope, just my cherry jujubes and the fun of buying little things to give my kids and my Dad.
Ah, and then there's Easter coming - my favorite, favorite time of year. Spring is coming, flowers begin to bloom, birds are chirping happily, grass grows again, pastel colors everywhere and new clothes to wear. No big gifts to buy. No bad weather to weather. Just a lot of new life and color to enjoy.
Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day aren't my faves, but I still get an extra day to rest. I like that. I like baking an applesauce spice cake, too, for one or all of those holidays. My family's picnic dessert when we went to the park on each of those holidays to enjoy all that the park offered us and lots of good food, too.
I have to say that I have always enjoyed holidays. I'm sorry that there are folks who really hate them. Come to my house. We'll enjoy the seasons and the holidays together if you'd like. I'll help you create new memories of holidays to enjoy for years to come. We'll go pick out some of your favorite things together.
-- Edited by grateful2be on Tuesday 3rd of December 2013 04:17:06 PM
Thanks for this reminder. I am determined to keep it simple this year. Grateful2be, thank you for the reminder of just how special each month can be. I always love Easter and the rebirth of nature in the spring. After reading your post I feel as though the warm sunny days are just around the corner.
Great thread and reminder. I just had a mini-breakthrough reading it, in an al-anon kinda way. Why don't I give to myself this holiday season what I wish the heck everybody else in the family would do?!
If I want peace and cute decorations with lights to get me closer to HP, then I can do that for myself. Perhaps it'll make dealing with those personal relationships for a few intense days, less intense!
The past 5 years or so I haven't even put up decorations because I just wanted it all to go away.
-- Edited by ClearTheFog on Thursday 5th of December 2013 02:48:47 PM
Ho, ho, ho, Rose! Can I have your share of the sparkle since you don't like Christmas? 
