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Health & Fitness

A Guide To Help Avoid The Annual Holiday Dread

Here's a special holiday to-do list to help you manage your time, make positive decisions and overcome the dread in favor of creating positive memories.

The following article was published in the Cherokee Vine at http://www.thedailyvine.com/uploads/November-2012.pdf on page 7.  

The holiday season that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s brings with it many decisions to be made that invariably make some people happy, and upset others. There are major decisions, like presents, food, church socials, charitable giving, decorations, cantatas, parties, and the like. How do we manage to fit it all in, and come to a consensus on the details?

There is one decision that some wish they did not have to make. “Where are we going to spend the holidays?” That’s right; whose turn is it? Do you have the same conversation each year? Two years here, three years in a row over there, missed last year, been several years since we have been, and the list goes on. If this sounds familiar, don’t despair. There is a way to look to the holidays with excitement, not dread.  

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A few years ago, a movie came out starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon called “Four Christmases.” The plot was about a couple avoiding their family during the holidays. When their flight to a tropical paradise was cancelled, they decided to visit their parents and siblings in one day. The antics were funny, but the point was sobering. The holidays can be overwhelming, disappointing, and even dreaded.

Here’s a special holiday to-do list to help you manage your time, make positive decisions and overcome the dread in favor of creating positive memories.

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1. Don’t allow others to dictate your attitude toward the holidays. Remember, Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks; Christmas is a time of giving and receiving; and New Year’s is an opportunity for a new beginning. Go into a situation prepared with prayer, support, and the attitude of grace, mercy and forgiveness.

2. Find ways to serve and help the people you will visit. If you have time or can even make plans to return, ask for a list of things that you can do for them, such as make repairs, cleaning up, painting, washing, labeling, packing, organizing, etc. Tell them it is part of your mission to serve and help others. Staying busy will keep the peace in a tense time and the Lord will bless your acts of service.

3. Keep a journal that is filled with prayer requests, devotional thoughts on scripture, praises and thanks, thoughts on Christmas, as well as plans, hopes, and dreams.  You may even ask others for prayer requests, their thoughts on the particular holiday, or even be bold and share some of your journaling. These writings have the potential to be uplifting and grounding.  

4. Stand united with your immediate family in love. Spending time with extended family can open up old wounds, alienate loved ones, or lead to picking sides. It is important that the immediate family – parents, children, spouses – support each other and stand united if there’s an attempt by an extended family member to cause strife.

Remember that the holiday season should be celebrated, not dreaded. A negative attitude will create low expectations and you’ll miss out on what God has in store for you. Be proactive spiritually and emotionally, and set yourself free to “spread” not “dread” holiday cheer. 

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