The holidays are a most exciting time; a magical time! We are gearing up for holiday parties, girlfriend get-togethers, family dinners and the like. Fabulous holiday decorations abound and children everywhere are preparing for a visit from Santa. Carolers are out and shoppers too! Oh yes, it’s an exciting time of year!

 As exciting as the holidays are, they can also be a stress-filled time. Jobs are less plentiful and some are diligently working to just keep the bills paid and to keep a roof over the heads of their families. Domestic violence, child abuse and crime during this time of year are all on the rise and statistics suggest that more people experience depression during the holidays than at any other time of year. As more and more people are being hit hard by the economic times it’s no wonder that the stress begins to take its toll and the true meaning of the season is sometimes lost.

But you don’t have to fall prey to the anxiety and stress of the holiday season. You can experience all the magic and the miracles that the season has to offer without feeling the pressure to impress those around you. Remembering the things that are important like our friends and family and focusing on what we do have instead of what we don’t have can have a tremendous effect on our joy.  Focusing on building our relationships with our families, creating holiday traditions and expressing gratitude can bring joy to everyone around you and bring everyone closer.

And while you are taking care of everyone on your holiday gift list don’t forget to take care of the one that matters most of all: YOU! Give yourself the greatest gift that you can give and that is the gift of loving yourself. Even though you may not be where you want to be or have everything you want to have, know that you are right where you’re supposed to be and that the joy and happiness of the season are yours for the taking. Understand that you matter! That you are important and that you are loved more than you can ever know! Your friends and family love you! Your children love you! Look around and take inventory of how far you have come on your journey. You have had to overcome some great obstacles but you are here! Be grateful for that!

Be grateful for the person that you have become and are becoming! Be grateful for your health! Be grateful for your life! Know that no matter what, YOU are a miracle and your life is a miracle! Be your miracle! And when you begin to feel the stress of the holiday season, sit back and remember that you’ve come a long way and that it only gets better from here!