Since its debut in 1944, the song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has been a bittersweet favourite of the holiday season. In the movie Meet Me in St. Louis, Judy Garland sang it to cheer up Maureen O’Brien before the family’s plan to move to a new town.
The song evokes the mixture of emotions the holidays bring.
But how can we each find more happiness and peace in a season of stress and sometimes sadness?
1. Manage your expectations. As a kid with specific requests for Santa, I made myself miserable on at least a few Christmases past when I didn’t get exactly what I wanted.
I soon learned that my parents and Santa didn’t always give us what we want but they knew what we really needed.
I eventually learned that the key to enjoying holidays with the people I loved was to appreciate their presence and our relationships. Presents – and the thought and care they represent – are just reflections of love.
2. Look for the light. Mankind has survived (so far) because of our brain’s negativity bias. Picking out what’s odd, wrong or dangerous, helped our ancestors survive.
But our brains still maintain this Negativity Bias. As neuropsychologist, Rick Hanson has said, our brains are Velcro for the negative and Teflon for the positive.
The Negativity Bias helps us avoid danger but makes us miserable. We emphasize what’s wrong with our lives (and other people) and dismiss the positive. Not only do we see the cup half full but we come across too critical of others.
One key to happier relationships is to look for the positive in each other and express our appreciation. We need to look for and express at least five positives for each negative just to come out even.
If we all remembered this, we’d think twice before making another negative comment.
Look for the best in your circumstances and the people around you. These include the qualities and kindnesses we take for granted - the very things we may miss looking back from the future. Are we missing out on enjoying the “good old days” while they’re still here?
The holidays are an opportunity to express our appreciation for those who make a difference in our lives. Putting into words the affection we feel may be the best gifts.
3. Make allowance for the expected challenges of the season. There will be heavy traffic, little parking, long lineups, items out of stock and lots of Christmas music. We are part of the traffic and the crowds; we’re all in this together. Strike up a friendly conversation with those in line with you. Bring your own playlist and sing along while you wait in traffic.
4. Remember the three potential solutions to a challenging situation: leave it, change it or reframe it. No one deserves abusive relationships but many need help to get away safely. Assuming there is no abuse, before an argument has you walking out of a family dinner, might you be able to transform the situation through new ways of relating?
Wrapping and framing make a world of a difference. A good frame and border can bring out the best in a painting. Pretty wrapping can make a gift all the more special.
The most challenging people come from a place of suffering: their home. The rest of their family suffer. They have to live with themselves 24/7.
5. Define your mission. During the holidays, we can get distracted by the busyness, mixed emotions and difficult relationships. Some of us are missing loved ones no longer with us; I miss my mother most at this time.
Some of us have no one with whom to spend the holidays. Remember them and reach out with compassion where you can.
What is your personal mission for the holidays? Getting everything done and avoid going (deeper) into debt? Just surviving? Avoiding recurring family arguments?
My wish for you this holiday season is health and happiness. May we appreciate our imperfect but lovable human selves, fully present to one another as we celebrate our connections.
Accept the unique and precious gift of this season though at first it may seem routine. Our loved ones’ most irritating quirks are the qualities we may miss when they are no longer in our lives. Love them today.
Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician. His Healthwise Column appears regularly in this paper. For more on achieving your positive potential in life, read his blog at davidicuswong.wordpress.com.
