The Christmas holiday season is one of the most significant times of the year for many of us. Starting in September, if not sooner, our culture encourages us to begin thinking about the holiday season and begin to make plans ranging from the gifts to be given, travel arrangements to be with family/friends or be at some relaxing/exotic destination.
Even with all of the emphasis and encouragement placed on convincing us that this period of time will be a happy season with peace on earth and good will toward others, some of us are surprised to find there are feelings of sadness and disappointment in ourselves and with many others.
Based on our personal history, we each carry our individual expectations of what this season should be and how we should feel about ourselves and what is happening around us. Some persons are determined to be happy and enjoy this season regardless of what takes place around them. Others will make choices of being unhappy about the season regardless of how many positive opportunities they have to experience enjoyment.
Our personal expectations of others and ourselves can often be the determining guide as to how we respond to a holiday season. For example, if we are able to meet what we see ourselves as needing to feel good about the circumstances of the holidays, then, usually, we are happy. If we see ourselves as falling short of these personal expectations in some manner, then we are likely to be unhappy.
The same holds true of our expectations of how others should be feeling and behaving during this season. If they meet our expectations, we are happy; if not, then we tend to experience a degree of disappointment.
So, we can conclude that our feelings about the holiday season are basically an extension of how we choose to build and feel about our expectations during the remainder of the year.
If we believe that the world revolves around our wants and needs, then our expectations will frequently not be met and we will be disappointed.
If our expectations for others and ourselves are set too high, we find ourselves with feelings of failure and unhappiness.
If we remember that people behave during the holidays, just as they do during the remainder of the year, to meet their needs, NOT our needs, then our expectations usually lead us to happiness with others.
As with all of our holiday and non-holiday choices, the way we choose to feel and behave during the holiday is always a personal choice. When we set expectations for ourselves, other people and the holiday period on a realistic level, we prepare for the outcomes we actually wish to have happen.
Happiness and joy are just waiting to be chosen by each of us!
Comments welcome. Email: silverchatline@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment