People talk about getting the blues over the Christmas holidays. People like me typically write about the ways to get through it and rarely about the root causes of it.
I’ve had an epiphany. 
The holidays are something we learn from little on to become excited about, to anticipate. We want to feel the joy, the enthusiasm, the gleeful feelings. Yea, that part of it is wonderful.
However, there is another part of the human mind and the heart hat come into conflict with that desire. As we get on the path towards happy, we also get reflective, even if it is not a conscious process. We begin to look at everything that is available — merchandise for decorations, items to buy to give as gifts, outfits to wear to parties, jewelry to complete the look of success, tickets for special events, lures to buy travel packages and do something different and adventurous. As we look, we see the advertisements with the good looking people who are happy, in love, are physically fit, and appear wealthy and care free.
At some point, we look into our wallet, our bank account, our reserves, the mirror, our group of family members, our friends, our work associates, and there is a contrast. Even if you are comparable on one dimension, there is something out of place.
Are your teeth not quite white enough? Do your children have pimples just in time for all the photo shoots? Is your girlfriend a drunk? Does your family embarrass you? Have you made plans with people who you think are cheap? Or maybe you just want a quiet holiday to recharge your energy and somehow you’re over scheduled?
Pick one, pick several. Create your own story about what it is about the Christmas season, this year or any other, that breaks your stride and hurts your heart and leaves your mind feeling guilty for allowing you to feel depressed. Forget calling it blue — sadness prevails this time of the year.
We start thinking about things ought to be, how they used to be, how they are today. Are you pleased? Satisfied? Glum?
The beauty is that the holidays are a month of your life each year. You know they are coming and you know how they make you feel. You know where your mind and your heart go annually. So why get stuck?!
Grab hold of your self, your mind, your spirit, your heart, your soul, and allow yourself to scoff at the images of make believe if that is not how you live — find the ones that are you, that represent your life in this moment. If you are alive, if you are breathing and thinking and feeling, all is well — yes! Well because you have opportunity, opportunity to create a life you want to live, a life you can feel proud of and happy about. Love the people around you. Love who you are. Love the month of December. Start a PinTerest page and make lists of every single thing you love!
We all take turns feeling lousy, sad, depressed, bummy, creepy. Just remember, this is life, and this too shall pass. Embrace it while it is here and now. You have an inner strength what sustains you — tap into it — now.
