[Elsbeth]

Hi guys,
I wanted to start a post that the most people possible would see and hopfully reply to. So here goes...

It's December once again. A holiday time for many. A stressful time for most. So much about December is about focusing on the stress of it. Especially when you already have depression/anxiety/etc.
I'd like to take a minute for us all to think about the flipside, the joys of December. Be them big or small. I invite everyone to join in on the good things that come to mind no matter how little or big. It may be easier to think of the stressers, the negetive and the dreaded parts but let's just put that aside for a few minutes. Humour me

For me it being December means...

-Maybe the first snowfall.
-Time with the family members who mean the most to me.
-A chance to buy small gifts for my loved ones
-And because I dont have much to spend, time to think about what would make them smile
-Old friends who have moved all over the country coming home to see their parents giving me a chance to see them as well.
-Putting up my Christmas decorations that make me smile
-Seeing lit up homes and buisnesses all over town
-Shopping Sales!!!!
-Baking things I dont typically bake the rest of the year like my fav cranberry bread and chocolate dipped dried apricots.

I'm sure I will think of more but I'm excited to hear what others have to add.

I wish everyone Peace and Calm as December gets going.

[Lorih444]

For me December means seeing people that I have not in a while.
Looking at the faces of kids to see the joy and the hope and the aww that their faces show seeing all the lights and glamor of Christmas.
Knowing how lucky I am that my parents are still with me, and that their health is ok.
Being greatfull that all of my kids are doing well and live close to me again so I can see them.
Knowing that another semester has gone by with me passing all my courses.
And this year, feeling great about my weight loss, I have gone from a size 20 jeans to a size 12.

[Sami]

I just went to my gfs nephews school play how sweet are the littles ones. Love the post Els!

[JenB]

Christmas means I get to get to see the looks on people's faces when I give people gifts... and that I got to buy them in the first place (even if I can't see their faces...)!!!!!

Blessings,
Jen

[Yeti]

For me December is a month I'm going to try to forget. Its been nearly a year since I had a full time job, temp service is not going well, no helth benifets, no luck in finding a new job and I dont feel like traveling much.

Yeti

[Elsbeth]

(((((((((((((((((((Yeti))))))))))))))))))

I know it's been a tough time for you. And December is a tough time for many of us. But I bet you can think of at least one good thing. I'll start you out and then you can write. It's hard to think of good things when times are tough but it's never impossible and forcing ourselves to focus on the good is very helpful. So I'll start you out.

1. Colder weather makes a Yeti very happy. No more heat to worry about with all that fur!
2. Chatting with all my site friends and wishing them a happy holidays makes me smile
3. It's a GREAT excuse to eat Cheesecake and drink Faygo!

Now it's your turn to add a few, Yeti.

[Beagle]

((((Els))))

Great topic! We all have good things in our lives.....we make the choice to focus and enjoy or wallow in the bad!

I love the sparkly lights (or Sparklee? ) It makes everything so pretty....I think it was our friend Blue Angel that once said she loves to sit by the tree and let the twinkle fall on her. I love that thought....and love letting the twinkle fall on me!

[Yeti]

Ok Els, here is a start

Snow. Seeing that Yetis are all white <hair color> I can hid easier

[TexanHoney]

Listening to my kid gripe and grumble about having to decorate the house and help me cook all the goodies, but knowing she loves it anyway.

Seeing total strangers laugh together, sharing the good will.

The way my house smells with the oven going, stuff cooking, the tree set up, candles lit, etc.

Traditions like always using the small ceramic tree in the window. Other unspoken traditions like listening to my mom grumble for 45 minutes that she can't find the batteries for her singing wreath.... which I always hide LOL

Being able to use the fireplace.