Looking for the Hidden Happiness in the Holidays
When you feel overwhelmed at the holidays, even something like a tangled strand of lights can be enough to cause tears to flow in frustration. At that point, it’s just best to walk away for a moment. Put on some music that calms you and come back to it when you are ready. Or throw them away and buy a new strand!
I do love the holidays, but I must admit with the joy, peace, and goodwill, along with it comes a strong dose of anxiety, sadness, and melancholy. Tensions flare, unrealistic expectations for perfection set by Norman Rockwell standards of days gone by unravel at the seams, the simplest of things can overwhelm you, and every day can be a quick trip into a dark hole if you don’t keep it all in check.
Not all of us like to celebrate the season and for many of us it is nearly unbearable. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering and I would just like to take the opportunity to let you know you are not alone. Many of us have those feelings and many of us are going through rough times – whether it be the loss of a pet, the loss of a job, financial issues, relationship issues, family problems, health issues or more. But the good news is that we have each other. We are a precious community and if you are finding it difficult to see the joy in any of it, it’s right in front of you if you really look.
When you think of the holidays in terms of the presence of what you have in your life to be grateful for, rather than the presents, it helps to put things in perspective.
If I’m bringing down any of you that don’t have these types of feelings, I’m sorry. It’s not my intention – I’m just looking to share a conversation that probably a lot of people can relate to in one way or another. For me personally, despite the rocky roads, I have much to be grateful for. Once again I will have family coming to visit for Christmas and I can’t wait to be around people that I love so very much. It will be a very simple Christmas this year – we are all strapped for finances, but Christmas is not supposed to be about presents. It’s supposed to be about the presence of love in your heart from those you care about – flaws and all.
It’s the little things I love about the holidays – baking cookies, playing board games, watching silly Christmas movies, looking at lights…
That love includes past, present, and those that are miles away, but always in our hearts – beloved friends, family members, and fur babies and more. So please, be kind to yourself – you are not alone and that’s really the greatest gift you can give. And as far as those other gifts – the kind you wrap and put under a tree, I’ve been having a wonderful time this year being creative – I’ve gone back to my roots and made some really nice homemade gifts this year. I’ve also taken to ebay with a vengeance – so many awesome vintage gifts at a fraction of the price you would pay for something of this millennium.
Anyhow, take a moment my dear friends – let’s all breathe together. Grab a cat and lets all hug… gently, of course, as kitty probably doesn’t like this particular group exercise. Lastly, just one little favor, in today’s comments, please tell me something you are grateful for in your life.
I love this picture of me hugging Jazmine but it is also bittersweet. One of the biggest difficulties I have at Christmas is putting up the stockings we have for the cats – and having to live through the memories of those that are no longer with us – but always in my heart… RIP my sweet babies…
I’d like to take a special moment to express my deepest sympathies to a few of my dear friends who had to say goodbye to beloved furbabies this week – Kevin and Tracey from Animal Shelter Volunteer Life who had to say goodbye to their sweet boy, Moosey, Caroline Golan of Romeo the Cat who had to say goodbye to her precious Romeo, and Cheri of Cats of Wildcat Woods who had to say goodbye to her darling Georgie. I pray they are all at peace and their memories will purrever be in our hearts.
What a wonderful post reminding us of what really matters this holiday season. And the photo of Jasmine sitting on the kitchen counter made me smile. She looks like she’s quite sure that she’s in charge of your kitchen!
Holidays are hard for those suffering with any form of loss and it’s doubly hard to see all the “happy” push in the media (whichever form) like there is only happiness and joy throughout the holiday season. It’s a very bleak time for a lot of people and while we can all feel gratitude for what we do have, it can be overwhelming to deal with the things that are plaguing us. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but, Holidays bring out much along the emotional spectrum especially when the focus seems to be on “happy” and when you’re not it’s tough to pretend you are.
This is my absolute favorite time of year. I look forward to Christmas all year long, dread when it’s over, and look forward to seeing decorations hitting the stores in the fall as early as possible 🙂 That being said, I find myself overly emotional this year and I know it’s because of Truffles. We only had two Christmases together and I thought we had so many more ahead of us. My tree is filled with cat ornaments and her urn of ashes and portrait have a place of honor surrounded by pretty decorations so I’m making her a part of my Christmas as much as possible.
many blessings to you and yours at the holidays and all year long!
So thankful for my cats & dogs, as well as my human friends !
You echo my feelings to a T. And three cats leaving on the same day: Romeo, Georgia and Moosey while being up all night with Merlin again just about did me in. I’m surrendering and letting go of guilt about not even getting cards out. You get a kudos for being organized and a hug for your smail mail card. Thanks, and much love & light.
Well, I do like Christmas, I always have, but honestly I am grateful I am still here and that the pee wars didn’t do me in. We’re super sad about the three departures and cried many a tear. I think kitty hugs are grand and I can’t imagine that the Jazmine hug doesn’t make things a whole lot better. I know it does, I can actually see your heart smiling! Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart…and the top of it too.
I’m grateful for my 3 wonderful cats that bring me so much joy…although there are times they are stinkers. 😉 ~Island Cat Mom
Like you, we are so grateful to be part of a cat community of friends that care so much for each other. And of course healthy and happy cats and foster kittens (and great adoptions).
This has been a big and kind of hard year for me, with health and financial issues that have resulted in a (hopefully temporary) need for me to step away from my blood family for the sake of my emotional health and safety. If this had been a previous year, I probably would have felt much more melancholy about it, but I’m grateful to be in my new home city with my family-by-choice. We plan to celebrate the holiday together in a low-key way: a small gift exchange followed by eating a meal together and either doing a jigsaw puzzle or watching movies — or maybe both.
It’s absolutely true that being present with the ones you love and who love you unconditionally, the people with whom you feel safe, is the single best part of the holiday season.
This is a very beautiful post. Being with those you love ( 2 and 4 legged) is most important. May you have a blessed Christmas.
Once again, your post is well written and hits a nerve. TW is very behind with everything Christmas and she really doesn’t care. She knows somehow all will get done and work out. We’re grateful that I’m healthy and both their backs are feeling better. Our problems seem small compared to others.
We’re so thankful for the many loving friends and family we have – Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Thank you … thoughtful, well said, so very true. I find it all a see-saw of feelings. Memories so sad, and missing so much (even after three years), yet feeling blessed by all that has come into my life now … it is often confusing and contradictory. It was always, for a lifetime, my favorite time of year. I am not yet back to that place, and unsure I will ever be. I wait to see what will replace it …
Blessings to all, however they may choose to spend this time of year.
What a beautiful post ! We agree with you, what really matters is priceless : people and pets we love. Mum and us are thankful for having met such wonderful people online and such a nice, friendly, crazy, and supporting cat lovers community. Purrs
Weez glad yous holidays are lookin’ bwight. Weez spend all da holidays da same way, lluvvin’ each other. Mommy used to get us a special can of noms, but da noms we eat now be so spensive, she sez they’re purrlenty special enuff. 🙂 We agwee they be yummy. We hope you all have a blest holiday.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
You know, I have said many many MANY times how grateful I am for my family on the CB and on Twitter. Each is as dear as the other and yes indeed Deb, the Anipals here and on Twitter are a huge loving resource for each of us.
They were with me when Admiral passed away from me 5 years ago tomorrow Dec. 14th. I thanked them then nd I do every day. I weep with them when their babies are flown away. The pain is exquisite. How precious to keep those stockings of babies who are missing from your presence right now. XXXOOO
This is beautiful and close to our hearts. Neither one of us have family, well, other than the Colehaus Cats and our friends are those on CB. What matters to us is indeed Presence and the great feelings that come from helping others, though something simple as a Christmas card from someone we’ve never met always makes our hearts happy. Thank you for sharing this! Have a wonderful holiday and a happy 2016!
You’re right. The holidays can be difficult. It used to be my favorite time of year when I was a kid, but now it just seems stressful. I have so much to be thankful for, though. I am especially thankful for my precious kitties, Savannah, Oliver, and Lillie! Merry Christmas to you and your family (humans and kitties)!
This is an unexpectedly difficult and utterly exhausting holiday season here this year, and we’re not even doing all of the trimmings. There’s a point where you have to give yourself permission not to do all of the traditional things and take care of yourself instead. Snuggling with cats is far more important than perfect bows on wrapping paper that will soon be forgotten.