Life Resource Center

It's That Time of Year

To create a Holiday that is less stressful, more spiritual, more thankful, more personally meaningful, takes some effort, willingness and reflection. Simplifying does not mean getting more organized, although at this time of the year we are bombarded with "how to” articles.  Getting more organized means trying to do the same things in less time, to become a combination of Martha Stewart and Bob Vila.

For many Americans the winter holidays bring more stress than good cheer.  We spend so much time checking off "to do” lists, and running around town, we often wind up too exhausted to enjoy our cherished traditions and intimate family gatherings.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  Many people with a little effort and reflections have succeeded in creating a different type of holiday, one that is more spiritual, more thankful and more personally meaningful.

The last two months of the year often find us in a frantic state of shopping, decorating, traveling and on the high energy activities.  Instead of having fun we often end up ill, anxious or depressed.  There seems to be an assumption that everybody is supposed to be happy simply because "The Holidays” are here.  This expectation of merriment presents an unrealistic goal for many.

And now let us welcome the New Year full of things that have never been - Rainer Marie Rilke
Every New Year we make resolutions; to stick to an exercise program, to be more patient etc., telling ourselves this year will be different.  Studies have shown however that only about 40% of resolutions are successful after 6 months.  Wanting to change is not enough, relying on will power is not enough.  So what gets in our way?  Not knowing ourselves at a deep level is a major impediment to change.  Without this knowing we are unaware of the emotional triggers that keep us repeating our negative experiences.  Change takes time, it requires being realistic.  It takes planning, and making decisions regarding a positive replacement for that which you want to extinguish.