Happy Holidays!

My how time flies!  It seems like we were just ringing in 2010 and here we are winding it down.  I remember being a kid and feeling like Christmas would never come.  Just what is it about being a kid that makes time go so slowly?

Enjoy the holiday season.  Enjoy the time with your family.  Enjoy shopping for loved ones.  When you find yourself stressing about what you still need to buy, the crowds at the mall, the increased traffic on the road, stop and think about what you enjoy about this time of year.  The true meaning often gets lost in the shuffle.  It makes me really sad when people say that they can't wait for Christmas to be over because it's just too stressful! It doesn't need to be that way.  As I ate my Dove Dark Chocolate Holiday Promises, I read one wrapper: "Promise yourself some relaxing holiday moments".

There is absolutely no reason to find fault with this time of year.  If you gain weight and that bothers you, don't eat so much.  I'm sure no one's holding you down by the shoulders, forcing food down your throat.  If the crowds at the stores bother you, consider shopping online.  Today is Cyber Monday, the Black Friday of internet shopping. There are some great deals out there...some of which are going on all week!  If you stress about shopping in general, stop and remind yourself about why you are shopping for the people you choose to.  Think about how you will feel giving the gifts and seeing the person's reaction.  That should help make it worth it.  Be thankful you are fortunate enough to be out there shopping for the people you care about.  Do you stress over decorating for Christmas, stringing all those lights, finding the perfect tree?  Scale it back!  There is no need to go all crazy if you don't enjoy doing it.  Don't decorate for others...decorate for yourself!  If you dread spending time with family, take some time to evaluate what about it gets under your skin.  Is it something that you can change?  Is it just your attitude?  Take control over your life and your own feelings to make those family get-togethers bearable and positive.  When it all comes down to it, sometimes family is the only thing you have.  Appreciate it.  Enjoy it.  You never know when it won't be there anymore.

Get into the season.  There are so many Christmas shows on tonight alone.  Starting December 1st ABC Family is having their annual 25 Days of Christmas.  Blockbuster has a wall of Christmas and other holiday movies.  If you're in the Syracuse area tune into Y94FM to hear Christmas music.  I recommend watching A Christmas Carol (or my personal favorite, The Muppet Christmas Carol) to help put this season into a true perspective.

Don't lose sight of what the holidays are all about.  Don't do things because you have to.  Do it because you WANT to.  Try your hardest to really thoroughly enjoy every day that's to come.  If you catch yourself saying "I can't wait for Christmas to be over", stop and correct yourself...fix whatever behavior is making you feel that way.  It's too special of a time of year to say those things.  And life is just too precious to wish for something to pass before it's even here.

Thanksgiving has come and gone already, but it does not mean that you should stop thinking about what you are thankful for.  In all the craziness surrounding the holidays, stop and remind yourself about what you appreciate and what you enjoy...and most of all, what you are thankful for.