By Naomi Holdt, Psychologist
This past week I had a conversation about the holidays and Christmas with a teen patient. He told me that he had heard that the happiest people put their Christmas trees up early.
I responded that putting a tree up almost brings hope- the end of a very long year is in sight. And then he added: “A Christmas tree is like a reminder to just hang in there. Look what’s waiting for you on the other side of the next few weeks…”
Maybe we all need that right now- to help us get through the whirlwind race to the end…
A reminder that we’re almost there. The year has been hard, exhausting and tough for most people I know, but like the colorful decorations on those branches, the potential for a little hope, a little joy, a breath hangs in sight…
A short window of time when most people don’t feel the pressing need to check emails, the deadlines are on temporary hold, and phones buzzing bring anticipation for happy connection, not dread of a work crisis…
If you’re needing a reminder that you’re almost there, and that you’ve accomplished something incredible just by getting this far, hang your tree early this year… Play the carols, eat the mince pies, toss the tinsel and position the star.
And if Christmas isn’t your thing, hang a string of lights somewhere in your house- across your front door, your pantry door, your bathroom mirror or really anywhere you are required to walk past or under OFTEN.
Let them remind you: Hope lies waiting, Breath lies waiting, A reprieve lies waiting… Even just for a day…And goodness, you’ve earned it!
Republished with permission https://naomiholdt.com/
