Many of us feel sad and lonely when the end of the year holidays approach. We often spend time reminiscing about the “good old days,” or we focus on past regrets and current resentments. Sometimes we “celebrate” Thanksgiving in a way that is more about “duty” than fun, gratitude and enjoyment. On the other hand, some of us have re-designed Thanksgiving in a way that provides serenity and a rest from the daily routine. I once had a patient who told me, “I’m not doing Thanksgiving this year. I am so happy about my decision and I don’t care who doesn’t like it. I am going to a dog park with my dog, Fido, and watch him run around. I’m not cooking. I’m just resting!”
I asked my patient how she came to make this change. She had spent many years hosting all her relatives who reportedly, “came, ate, drank and left!” She said that she and her husband had a “great” conversation about their Thanksgiving tradition and they agreed it was time for a change. She and her husband took turns calling their relatives to advise them that they were not hosting the Thanksgiving holiday this year. They had another conversation planning what the two of them wanted to do. She went to the dog park for two hours. He played tennis. They agreed that after that they would rest and order dinner delivered – no, not turkey but something unusual that they would both enjoy. They ordered a Peruvian dinner.
If you love your Thanksgiving traditions, enjoy each and every moment of them. If you don’t consider what you would like to do differently. What would make YOU happy?
I wish you a peaceful holiday. Take time to be grateful for what you have. Take time to cherish your healthy relationships. Have a rest if possible. Refresh yourself.
We will be discussing this on the November 21 opening program. Please send questions through the America’s Web Radio web site. We will answer as many as we can during the last part of the Dr. Ann’s Relationship Radio program. Until then –
YOU HAVE THE POWER! MAKE YOUR WORLD WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE!