Some people have had some hard holidays. They have experienced difficulties that the rest of us cannot imagine. Unfortunately, these experiences create a not-so-nice holiday story. And this not-so nice holiday story affects us in many ways. It can exasperate us, give us despair, make us resent the holidays, make us feel anxious or depressed and or suffer in other countless ways. But even if our holiday story makes us feel broken, I have good news: we are only broken in that story.
We can give ourselves the best present today by staying in the present. In the present, we can create a new holiday story. And the best part we can put all of our favorite things in this new story (i.e., love, joy, caring, connection). We can take some action along with this new story, by acting on these favorite things or noticing that we are already acting on them: call an old friend, write a thank you note, donate money, share a hug.
moon out window over christmas tree
That broken person in the old holiday story is only you if you keep it as your story. You, right now, in this moment are not that you in that old holiday story. You can reinvent yourself and your holiday. You can ask yourself:
Thank you Jodi for this post. Maybe what I will say is not 100% related to what you were meaning, but right after reading it, i remembered Christmas when i was a kid. Although it wasn’t easy, although i wasn’t as involved or concerned as were the others at home, I still enjoyed it, by watching the others happy, by singing and having all the family around. Since the death of my mother in 2002, Christmas gatherings became a very heavy burden. Reading your post now, made me think. What memories will my children have in the future about Christmas in their childhood. I can think of it and smile, what can they remember? Nothing. Life might be very hard on them, they might face a lot of problems, so why deprive them since now? I promise to put all the possible efforts, all my energy and smiles to offer my children this year a Christmas they will remember with a Big Smile <3
You can give them something to hold onto this Christmas!
I Will, I won’t let anything stop me <3
Jodi, you are such an inspiration. I’ve learned so much from following your blog.
Thank you! Hope you like my WIP as much
btw, love the mandala here on your new site.
We do always have the power to create a new story for ourselves. This Christmas is a little sad for me – my grandbaby-to-be was stillborn this summer, instead of being born or due now – and it’s okay to be a little sad and reflective this Christmas. I don’t have to be artificially merry or cheerful if/when I’m not feeling it. But I anticipate a great new year and REFUSE to write a “woe is me” story for myself, because I am surrounded by so many blessings, and am excited about the new adventures ahead.
Thanks Bev! I am sorry about your grand baby, you will always be changed by that soul, in good and bad ways. But the bad will turn to good. The story is not over yet.
Love and blessings this holiday!
Jodi
You are so right. Thank you for reminding us of what is important. I’m going to make every effort to stay in the present during the holidays, and treasure what I have now, my time with my kids. Thanks for such a thoughtful piece!
Beautiful Monica! Peace!
Jodi