Five Actions To Cure Holiday Blues
Five Actions To Cure Holiday Blues
Merry Christmas! Or not!!
For many the holiday season is an annual reminder that there is
no money, family, friends, or health, with which to enjoy this
happy season. The truth is that if it were possible, some would
not mind pushing the clock ahead to January 1, 2006.
We all know that Christmas is prime time for depression. People
who are short on money will often find a way to spend it. Not on
friends and family, but on anti-depression medication.
I will stop with the doom and gloom. Most of us understand the
scenario. Many by experience. The purpose of this article is to
help with the problem, not enhance it.
If you are struggling with the arrival of the holiday season -
or know someone who is, let me give five action points to make
the season more bearable - if not enjoyable.
1.) Choose your focus
a. Make a list of people or things that are positive in your life
Sometimes you just have to make a conscious effort to think of
what's good in a world that constantly directs our attention
toward what's bad. But it is worth the effort. Take a few
minutes to stop and make a list of the things that are good in
your life. If you are having trouble getting started, let me
help you with the first one: "I can breath."
b. Express gratitude for those positives.
Take a few minutes and express gratitude for the positive things
you have in your life. Thank God. Thank your spouse or your kids
or your parents or your neighbor or your friend. Gratitude is a
choice. It forces you to focus on the positive rather then the
negative.
The above exercise leads to the next action point:
2.) Refuse to be Lonely
This is also a choice. And it is a powerful one.
a. Write down the names of 5 people you could develop a
relationship or improve your relationship with. Decide right now
you will do something for them this Christmas. It doesn't have
to be fancy or expensive. Just decide right now that you will do
something for someone else that will enhance that friendship and
then do it! b. If you really are in a place where you are truly
alone, you still have a choice. Find an organization that helps
the less fortunate and get involved in some way. Every town and
city has something like this. Choose to turn the pain of
loneliness into positive energy rather than negative energy.
Just get involved in someone's life.
3.) Give what you can, not what you can't a. Immediate Family --
Choose right now that you will not go into debt from Christmas
giving. You will not only pay interest on credit card purchases,
but also on the mental, emotional and relational strain that
comes with 21% interest. Funny thing. I can remember one or two
better than average Christmases where the gifts were flashier
then normal. Other then that, the thing I remember most was
being with friends and family. b. Extended Family -- Be creative
in your giving. To those friends and family members you feel
obligated to give to, why not give a card indicating you donated
a sum of money in their name to the Red Cross. Through you, they
are going to make a lasting difference in someone's life. Or,
why not tell your friends and family that for a few dollars a
month (less than what you would spend on a personal gift for
each of them) for the next year, you have adopted a needy child
from another country on their behalf and your financial gift
will take care of his or her food and education for the next 12
months. Often these organizations will send you a picture and a
bio of the child you are helping. How cool would it be to give
your friends and family a picture of the child they are helping
this year through you? In the end, you will spend far less
money. However, the investment will have greater returns.
4.) Give your way to the Christmas Spirit.
Sometimes you get out of Christmas what you put into it. Here is
a challenge. Beginning on December 1, plan to be on the lookout
to help someone every day with a surprising act of kindness. a.
Hand the person at the fast-food drive-through window a five or
ten dollar bill. Tell them to apply it to the purchase of the
person behind you in line. Then drive away without looking back.
b. Offer to buy a soft drink for the person standing with you at
the coke machine. c. Bake a plate of goodies for your neighbor
d. One thing I like to do is call a server over in a restaurant
and request the bill from a table I choose across the room. Then
I pay it anonymously. Sometimes I leave never knowing the
reaction. Sometimes I sit back and watch them try and figure it
out.
It doesn't have to be expensive. Doing just a little every day
does a lot for you. I recall the words that remind us, "It is
more blessed to give then to receive."
5.) Prepare Ahead For Next Year
Preparation can take different forms. Here are two suggestions.
a. On January 1, start putting money aside for next Christmas.
Hopefully, you will have had such a great time this year that
you will want to be better prepared next year. Determine that
you will not touch it. Think how much more you will be able to
do. b. Prepare emotionally and mentally by settling in your mind
that next Christmas will be a positive experience rather than a
depressing one. Establish some action points that will make your
intentions a reality.
Maybe this January 1 you will utter a sigh. Not because the
whole mess is behind you. Rather it will be due to a wonderful
sense of fulfillment. Good luck. Oh, and Merry Christmas.
Tim Kellerman is co-Author of The Abundance Principle: Five Keys
to Extraordinary Living (www.TheAbundancePrinciple.com). He is
available for print, television and radio interviews. Contact
him directly at 501.339.7620 or visit
www.AbundantLifeProject.com.
Media Kit
www.AbundantLifeProject.com
www.TheAbundancePrinciple.com The Abundance Principle
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Biographies
Dr. Jeff D. Standridge
Jeff Standridge currently holds a senior leadership position for
a publicly-traded, multinational technology company
headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Formerly, he was an
Assistant Professor in the University of Arkansas System and
maintains active involvement with a number of institutions. He
has been the recipient of numerous professional awards and
special recognition, including being recognized in 2004 by
Arkansas Business Magazine as one of the Top 40 Business Leaders
under 40 years of age. He is retired from the U.S. Army-Arkansas
Army National Guard. Dr. Standridge holds the Doctor of
Education degree with special work in Adult Learning,
Organizational & Leadership Development, and Teaching. He has
been an invited speaker, trainer, and/or consultant for numerous
businesses, organizations, and institutions of higher education
across the US, Canada, & Europe. Additionally, he has been
published, interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of business,
trade, news, and online publications.
Rev. Tim Kellerman
Tim Kellerman is Lead Pastor at the First Church of the Nazarene
in Conway Arkansas where he has served for 10 years. He holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and is currently pursuing a
Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry with an emphasis in
Church Management. Additionally, he is a graduate of the School
of Large Church Management. Tim's formative years were in Taiwan
where his parents served as missionaries for 17 years. Because
of his unique upbringing, Tim brings a well-rounded perspective
of life. Tim is a certified Search and Rescue Scuba Diver, has
attained a brown-belt ranking in TaeKwon-Do, and is an avid
Racquetball player. Together, Jeff and Tim bring a unique blend
of perspectives and insight, drawing on their personal
experiences in business, organizational leadership, academic
research, and pastoral ministry. Below is a partial list of
invited presentations, speaking and consulting engagements
across the US, Canada & Europe: American Association for
Respiratory Care; American Cancer Society; Arkansas Children's
Hospital; Arkansas Executives Forum; Arkansas Society for
Respiratory Care; Canadian Association for Health Care; National
Association for Emergency Medical Technicians; International
Respiratory Congress; Society for Human Resource Management;
University of Arkansas System; University of Central Arkansas;
US Army - Arkansas Army National Guard.
Suggested Media Questions
1. You've written a book called The Abundance Principle. Tell
me more about this principle.
2. Who do you consider s your target audience, who could
benefit from The Abundance Principle?
3. From reading your website, I see you are Co-Founder of The
Abundant Life Project. This is an interesting name, what does it
mean?
4. What's the mission of The Abundant Life Project?
5. You've identified these things you call the Five Keys to
Extraordinary Living and your mission is to transform lives. How
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6. What led you to launch this "project?"
7. What's on the horizon now for The Abundant Life Project?
8. Do you have plans for any other books?
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Contact Information
The Abundant Life Project TM 811 Teal Dr. Conway, AR 72034
501.339.7620
Websites
www.AbundantLifeProject.com
www.TheAbundancePrinciple.com