Not long ago I wrote a post in which I asked what people do to make themselves happy. I also publish many of my posts at VibrantNation.com, and there I received a comment from someone struggling with HOW to be happy. The woman’s daughter was struggling with a difficult situation. With Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, she had concerns that she and her daughter might find themselves both unable to find any joy. She wanted to know how to heal, how to be happy, how to make it through the holidays.
It can be difficult to feel happy when we are going through traumatic times, and holidays do make it tougher–especially if we have negative memories associated with them. And parents tend to only feel as happy as our happiest (or unhappiest) child. (I know this well.) However, I tried to offer this blog reader my best advice–and I listenedย to it myself as well. Here’s basically (I’ve edited and embellished a bit…) what I told her:
Be thankful for the little things. You have each other. Your daughter (and you) has the rest of her life ahead of her. Every day has new possibilities.
How do you heal? One day at a time. Little by little. One smile or laugh at a time. And one tear at a time. Healing takes time. Be patient.
Rent some funny movies. Make some new good times. Go on a vacation. Do fun things. Make new memories.
Focus on the positive. This is something I know soooo well, yet I forget. I’ve been so focused on what isn’t working in my life and in the lives of my family recently. This has made me very unhappy. Your questions have reminded me that it is imperative to focus on the positive and to feel grateful–or to look for reasons to feel grateful. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about.
Listen to this podacst. It might help this Thanksgiving. Develop an attitude of gratitude. You can always find something about which to be grateful.
We are going through a rough season in our personal life. This post means a lot to me. Thank you. It is so important to pause for a moment in times of chaos to smell the roses.joy and happiness comes with taking baby steps.