The Holidays Were Supposed to be Fun….

The Holidays Were Supposed to be Fun….

December 15, 2015

The holiday season is synonymous with cheer, joy, and family. Every year, millions of people come together in celebration. Whatever your creed is, the holiday season is usually a time for joy. However, there is an unspoken truth that clouds the holiday season.

The holidays aren’t all smiles, hugs, and warm eggnog for some people. When I worked as a counselor, it was shocking hearing about all the hardships the holiday season brought upon people.

Consider this, roughly half of American marriages end in divorce. Many of these marriages produce children who have to split time between parents. Depending on situation and circumstance, this has the potential to be stressful. The holidays also serve as a reminder to those who are not with us anymore. Many older adults struggle around the holiday season because their loved one is gone. My grandfather recently passed away. The next Christmas,  as tough as my grandmother is, was hard for her. It was hard not to notice the despair and pain in her eyes.

And while this may seem morbid, especially in a time of cheer, there is a bright side. Although hardship is inevitable, there is something we all can do. Embrace the holiday season. Be extra cheerful. Be extra patient and caring. The holidays are a time of love and light. Take a second each day and consider how to facilitate love and light during this holiday season.

Lastly, because we spend our time and energy helping people negatively affected by gambling, we have to make a quick mention. The holiday season often leaves us with a little extra money in our pockets. Many can feel the urge to take that extra holiday money and gamble. If you chose to gamble this holiday season, take some precautions and do so responsibly. Use the buddy system. Set limits in respect to time spent gambling and the amount of money you wish to spend gambling.

May you all have a safe and happy holiday season!