Summary: The holiday season is often wrapped in shimmering lights, cheerful music, and the promise of togetherness. Yet, for many, it brings a complex mix of emotions: nostalgia, joy, longing, and stress. This is a time to pause, reflect, and connect with the holiday season in our increasingly complicated world.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
I keep drinking cocoa with peppermint. It was always a special treat when I was a youngster, and it made me feel happy.
However, there are days during this season that leave me feeling confused.
In fact, this happens every year, and then I take a deep breath and return to being happy.
My mom’s homemade chocolate chip cookies help!
At least, I’m happy on the outside.
Ultimately, I need some inspiration to stop looking at the things that are not going well and see what is filled with delight, joy, and inspiration.
Signed,
Merry
Dear Merry,
Thanks for telling your truth. It is also true for so many others.
Let’s be honest: the holiday time is not always picture-perfect.
For example, families gather, and sometimes, old tensions resurface. There might be an empty seat at the table that feels heavier than all the festive decorations combined. Or, the season highlights what’s missing, whether a relationship, an unrealized dream, or simply peace of mind.
Embracing the Truth of Holiday Happiness
At its core, celebrating the holiday season is not about perfection but the possibility of renewal. It is about how light can break through darkness.
All in all, these days don’t demand perfection. Instead, they offer an invitation to be present, to embrace gratitude for what is, and to hold space for hope for what might be.
A Few Honest and Uplifting Practices
- Celebrate the Small Wins: Maybe this year wasn’t everything you hoped for, but surely there were moments of growth, love, or even simple joys, a smile from a stranger, a new insight, or a favorite song on the radio. Celebrate those.
- Extend Grace to Yourself and Others: Whether it’s burnt cookies, forgotten gifts, or awkward family dynamics, let imperfection be okay. Grace allows room for humanity and connection.
- Create Your Own Traditions: If this year looks different than years past, start something new. A walk under the stars, a quiet moment of reflection, or even a Christmas Day play can add meaning to the season.
- Give the Gift of Presence: The most meaningful gift isn’t wrapped in shiny paper; it’s the gift of your attention and care. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Write a note of appreciation. Be with the people who matter most.
- Lean Into Hope: Hope is always available no matter where you are or what you’re feeling. It doesn’t ask for grand gestures; it simply asks for belief in the possibility of better days ahead.
A Wish for You
This holiday season, may you find comfort in the beauty of the imperfect. May you rediscover the wonder in the little things. Perhaps it’s a laugh shared, a candle’s glow, the quiet magic of a winter’s night.
May you feel the warmth of connection, even in unexpected places.
Most importantly, I hope you can carry the holiday season, the holiday spirit—a blend of hope, love, and resilience—into the coming days.
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
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