CaringHarts.com
Here's This Month' s
"Couples, Married Folks & Life Partners" Terrific Feature Article
Keeping Love Flowing During The Holidays
The major holidays are coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, now what do we do? Is your personal "stress meter" already climbing to a danger zone? Hopefully not. An unfortunate and sad reality is that during the last part of December when holidays are clustered, we find that more and more people get depressed, overwhelmed and even yes, suicidal. Don't let this be the case with you or your loved ones. This is a time to be joyous and love one another AND it is just another month of the year.
Did you read that last sentance too fast to remember it? This is probably the most significant thing that can be said here and now. December is just another month - it need not be considered the end of the road for you, your mate or other loved ones. But all too often, this is exactly the thinking. We put way too much stress on ourselves. Everything must be according to the last television program that we saw which shows a perfect family having a perfect holiday, family members all getting along, a mate who absolutely adores you, etc., etc., etc. If that is not enough, advertising portrays picture perfection as well. Why is it that we ignore this during the other eleven months of the year but at Chrismas, New Years and the like we seem to BELEIVE that all must go perfectly?
If you want to keep the love flowing at home with your mate and family, keep life in persepctive. Does it really matter if the mashed potatoes are a bit lumpy, that somone arrives late or even if you can not afford to spend as much money shopping for gifts as in past years? What else have I forgotten? Maybe what I have mentioned so far seems a little trivial. Yes, it is! AND YET, these are the same little reasons that snowball when a bunch of them come together to make people feel like the world is coming to an end. Actually, two or three weeks later, you forget about these minor things and start thinking about other things like, putting salt down on the icy driveway or shoveling snow. Now that last stuff is really important too isn't it.
I hope you are reading this and saying to yourself, "This is rediculous." It is and that is why you need to remember this so that as little annoyances or inconveniences pop up up as they typically do when you have many people to think about and many plans to make that you take a moment to breathe in and out and take stock of your personal emotions as well as those of your loved ones. It can be easy to get all wrapped up in the holidays and wanting things to work out well, for everyone to have a great time, to catch up on the latest with family and to express your love to your mate. But consider that we as human beings are not perfect (even that person you know who claims to be perfect). Having tolerance for one another and lessening one's expectations is important now. This is a time to have forgiveness of others imperfections, to expect human error, to overlook things said or not said in the heat of a discussion and above all - - - - to look into your heart to discover the goodness in people AND YOURSELF. Having too high of expectations always leads to disappointment.
As the holidays approach and you ready yourself with your mate for whatever is planned, try to remember that love does conquer all obstacles. True acceptance of your own inabilities and the inabilities of others is a necessary ingredient in the meal of rejoicing. You can enjoy these holidays, eliminate stress all together and build wonderful memories of holidays past with little acts of kindness, words of praise and "not sweating the little things". Bring more love to yourself, your partner and your family by enjoying each other's companionship above all else.
The Couple's Corner
This month, we bring to you another fabulous feature article for helping you both to enjoy each other and spending your time better together!
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