‘Tis the season to be jolly
It is the season to be jolly – well, isn’t it? By now those amongst us who are keen to do so, will be considering their plans for the holiday, arranging menus and buying presents as they count down the days down until 25. On the other hand, you may be one of those who cry Bah Humbug each year the first tassels of tinsel have the temerity to make their appearance!
Perhaps you are one of those who just can’t bear all the merriment, joyfulness and wishful thinking of the masses – at least not THIS year anyway. It may be that you are going through a particularly difficult life experience such as the breakup of your relationship, a bereavement or personal health issue. Perhaps financial strains mean that your children are not going to be able to receive anything like the last “in” gadget within the pile of gifts under the tree, and even the phrase “pile of gifs” might be stretching the imagination a bit this year.
If you are one of those who are struggling this Christmas, please know that you are not alone. There is something about the 24th, 25th and 2th of December that make a great many people feel their lives are inferior. Television and films abound with images of happy families, all having a great time and sharing open loving relationships. About the only place we can go to see misery on TV at Christmas is the annual EastEnders Christmas disaster! On this front, I would invite you to consider for a moment why the EastEnders Christmas disaster occurs every year, and just why so many people watch it. It is my theory that it is so popular because whilst it is most certainly over the top, it is over the top in such a way that no matter how bad any one individual family Christmas festivities may have been, EastEnders will top it. This annual event is watched by so many precisely because it reflects a darker side of Christmas that is felt by many, but not very often acknowledged.
Please try to remember however that we’re talking about a 3-day period out of a year consisting of 362 others. These 3 days do not accurately reflect the entirety of your life. They are not the basis upon which your life can be valued, your relationships measure, or your happiness defined. They are, by an large a human construct partially intended to celebrate the birth of Christ, and partially intended to increase retail sales. The truth of our lives is that we are so much more than ½ of the penultimate week of December.
Having said all this, if you feel that having a trained professional to speak with would be helpful to you over this period, and you live in the general Bishops Stortford are, please feel free to contact me on 01279 834467 for a fully confidential discussion of how I might be able to assist you.
