Weekly Wellness News

November 19, 2007

Feature: Give Thanks

We all know the stereotypical story: newlywed couple invites the in-laws to Thanksgiving dinner, and disaster ensues as the bird won't thaw, the potato salad spills on the floor, and Grandma's best cherry pie recipe is destroyed by accidentally using salt instead of sugar. Or how about this one: the extended family gets together for the annual Christmas feast, but a major ice storm prevents anyone from leaving that evening, and twenty-three relatives try to get along in a house better suited to four people. Or maybe this: a two-week vacation to Hawaii has to be forgone at the last minute when a major project drops behind schedule at work two weeks before Christmas.

The holiday season is supposed to be about family and friends, about being thankful and gracious and giving and loving. Yet for far too many, it doesn't actually work out that way, and instead is just one giant stressful event after another. We get stressed over perceived problems and forget the big picture.

It's all to easy to forget our 'why' in daily life. Why are you taking that vacation? Why are you buying or making gifts for everyone? Why are you planning to get together with family in the first place?

Distractions lead us away from realizing some of the deeper pursuits in life. One big reason to celebrate holidays of any kind is to bring our focus back to the important things. If, instead, we intentionally draw our focus away during the very events we designate to make us aware, we have entirely missed the point, and as a result we lose something deep and valuable about our existence.

This weekend, remember why you are taking your trip, why you are getting together, why you have days off from work. Take your time. Make a point of feeling thankful for the people and things that you have in your life.

If you have the chance, find a way to give to those who are more in need than you are. Volunteer to help feed and clothe people, for instance. Get involved, and see just how fortunate you are in comparison.

If bills are mounting, if the weather is getting to you, if you want to get away from it all but can't... take a deep breath, and re-focus your energy on the good things. Let each day be a reminder of the importance of those closest to you, and the joy of being alive.

Give thanks, either to yourself or out loud, for anything and everything. Re-establish a positive focus often throughout the day.

Above all, celebrate! Celebrate each and every breath! Each and every hug! Focus on what you do have and find peace in each moment, no matter how stressful it might seem.

Other news

• Almost sounds like a soap opera about hip cars: Bug hospital avoids prosecution [news.bbc.co.uk]
• You mean a TV show oversimplified and mis-explained science? Say it isn't so! ITV accused over 'gene test' show [news.bbc.co.uk]
• Driving can be educational: 'Billboard poster saved my life' [news.bbc.co.uk]

From the editor

Thanks giving is here, and suddenly we realize just how close we are to Christmas and the New Year. Winter is descending rapidly upon us, and for many of us it is dark before we get home from work, the cold is infringing on our every day.

I love this time of year! Even though I am not a big fan of the cold, the nights are crisp and the world has a special, intimate beauty that I just don't see any other time of year.

May your coming weekend be festive, joyous, and full of love.

Healthy thoughts,
Jeff

Copyright 2007, Jeffrey Eliasen.
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