Holidays, stress and health

[BevP]

I'd just like to take a moment to throw some sanity into this holiday week. Enjoy the beauty of the season. Take a moment from shoveling snow and cursing the cold to see the beauty of a snow covered landscape.

Grab that fattening treat that you can only get at this time of year and close your eyes and enjoy every single mouth watering bit of it.

During the frustration of shopping, parking, waiting in line, remember why you wanted to get those gifts for people. And if money is too tight for the gifts you wish you could give, remember the thought behind the gift.

And when it all gets to be too much, take a deep breath and untense those muscles. Soon the holidays will be over and your memories will edit out the bad stuff. Soon the routine will return and you'll have your work out time back. Soon the guests will be gone, or you'll be back home, and you can stop, look back and remember the joy of family, friends, good cooking and gift giving.

Happy Holidays.

[Laura]

Thank you Bev. You know it is amazing how a season which begins with such joy can usually end with such stress. Actually the kids and I talked about changing things significantly next year. The kids will get one gift. The rest of the money we will use to sponsor a family. I was afraid of the resistance I might meet and the kids were overwhelmingly for it. The only caveat is that they want to be involved in every step.
This year has brought many different struggles for my family, different from others but stressful for us. It is important for us to remember that despite our struggles we have been truly blessed in many many ways. I am thankful.