1) Accept reality.
What is, is. Those who should be helping,
let us down. The children fight with each other. No one seems to show the Christmas spirit we'd been imagining.
We can add to the discord by raising a voice in complaint -- or we can smile to ourselves, take a deep breath and remember
that nobody's perfect.
2) Find
a getaway.
Retreat to a quiet place in your mind. Step outside. Pick up a mindless
task. Take a walk. Rest for ten minutes. Put plugs in your ears. Listen to music -- especially of the season.
3) Explore
your feelings.
Sad? How come? Angry?
Was there a trigger? Warm glow? Where did it come from? Happy anticipation? For what? Don't
judge any feeling as good or bad. They are your heart's silent commentary on your experience.
4) Find balance in activities.
After rushing, working hard, being in a crowd, do the opposite for awhile.
After being alone for awhile,seek out other people. After being in a noisy setting, go somewhere quiet.
5) Plan.
There is joy in making a plan and a sense of fulfillment in carrying it out. The negative feeling of losing
control can be remedied with a plan.
6) Do for others.
A central element of Christmas is giving. Kindness
and generosity bring good feelings. Show your children how acts of kindness make them feel by participating
with them in the act of giving. (Cooking, cleaning, visiting, entertaining)
7) Talk to elders.
Keep
tradition alive by asking elders to talk about how things were when they were young. Don't just expect the children
to listen. Sit with them and listen, too.
8) Make a list.
Capture
your own good ideas on a tablet or journal that you keep with you. Or if someone else says something you want to remember,
be ready to write it down. This can help you give meaningful gifts, add something new to a meal, remember to visit someone.
Sometimes someone is giving you a "hint." Don't miss it.
9)
Make handcrafted gifts. (But if you don't have time for this, don't stress over it.)
Some handcrafted gifts are fast, easy, and well received. Children do well to give what they have made, so
they can share in giving.
10) What
is the meaning of Christmas, to you?
Make some notes about this
so you can share your thoughts with your children and others.