B Dear Aunt B, Thanksgiving and then Christmas is coming. UGH. I know you have talked about this before, but it still exists for me. I DONT LIKE HOLIDAYS. I really do think there is something wrong with me. Help!!!!!
Bah Humbug
Dear Bah Humbug, I know this exists and exists for lots of us. There are those individuals that love the holidays so much that, by comparison, those of us that aren’t wearing Santa hats feel like we are Scrooge. I know for some, it is way worse. If you are one that had horrible memories of holidays past, then some healing does need to take place. I think it might be best to address that next week and go a little deeper on that issue.
Let’s start with Thanksgiving because it is right around the corner, literally. I understand I talk a great deal about gratitude. Frankly, I believe that gratitude is the number one feeling, technique or whatever you want to call gratitude to change our life. Gratitude, when practice and experienced, makes everything better.
Hands down, having a gratitude practice is where to start. Thanksgiving is just a holiday. Gratitude is a way of living. Start wherever you can. There are individuals that seem to have so much to be thankful for, and there are those that seem to not have much. One of the pitfalls of this practice is comparing yourself to anyone. Gratitude is an inside job.
It can be nice to share your appreciation with others, but start with yourself. Keep it private while you are building the practice. Start anywhere. Start small. I promise we all have something to be thankful for, and when we focus on whatever we have, more things come. It is almost magical. However, if forced, at first it can feel fake. Stay with it and it becomes easier. The main reason why a practice gets you a bigger bang for your buck is doing a little every day of anything beats doing a lot of it once a week. It compounds. Just like exercise.
Back to Thanksgiving Day. It generally represents family and friends getting together with a bunch of great (carb-filled) food and watching parades, football and possibly playing games. Sounds like heaven, right? Do you have people in your life to celebrate with? Are you lonely, and this is just a reminder that you are alone? If this is the case, what might you do to celebrate alone? Is there a group that you belong to that has any type of celebration? Is there someone in your life that you could invite to your house?
In Dallas we have a tradition called the Turkey Trot. It will take care of your lonely feelings because there are a zillion people. Some are in costume. All are very upbeat. It is a 5k walk/run or an 8K run. The money goes to some great charities. I feel pretty confident that if you make the effort and go, you will feel better. The festivities and the fresh air and the exercise just feel good. It is not for the faint of heart but check into it. It is fun. The fee is around $42. You do need to register and pick up your packet. You get a t-shirt that is usually really cute. There will be lots of dogs and children. There is even a virtual registration that can get you the good feeling of helping the charities and the great shirt and then you can do the walk on your own. You could use that experience and then tell yourself you are all alone, or you could take that experience as a jumping off place to appreciate yourself and everything that you allow yourself to think about on the walk. I promise the exercise and the fresh air will assist you in feeling better.
Love, Aunt B
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