Holiday Survival Guide - Part Three: The LESSOR of the DYSFUNCTIONALS?
Well what's it going to be? Spend the Holidays with dysfunctional
family or dysfunctional friends? The good news is, if you choose
dysfunctional family, they will forgive any behavior that may be
construed as "bad", and love you anyway. Your friends may not be quite
so forgiving, especially if you drown your sorrows about being alone
and make a jerk of yourself.
Sad as it may seem, your 'friends' will write you off for a while. Yet,
your family, with their pressing questions, "Why isn't so-and-so around
anymore?" or "Don't you feel better without so-and-so?" can make you
want to pour another one and lose yourself in the egg nog.
Tough choice, hunh? But either way, the toughest choice of all is to
bite the bullet and just be alone to make your own merriment. So, if
you choose to spend the ONE day out of the year (and remember: it's
only ONE day) here are some suggestions:
1. Rent some movies and hold your own marathon. (do NOT rent sappy, happy, holiday movies)
2. Clean. And I mean CLEAN. Dig into those closets that are chocked full of stuff you haven't worn in years and toss it.
3. Take a bubble bath, and relax.
4. Dive into a great book (and NOT a mushy romance novel. Something more along the lines of Clive Clussler).
5. Go for a walk. If it's snowing, be sure not to go bare-footed.
6. Make your own egg nog - and add extra bourbon.
7. DO NOT FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF
8. Volunteer at a local food bank
9. FIND SOMETHING to make you laugh (rent cartoons).
10. REMEMBER IT'S ONLY ONE DAY.
On the other hand, should you choose to spend it with friends, do NOT
be a "downer". SMILE. You have FRIENDS. Do not talk about Mr. Flakey Ex
BF (or GF). Do NOT think they are having a great time, whereas you are
with your friends.
If you choose to spend it with family, be prepared for the quirks about
them that drive you in sane. STAY sane yourself. Be prepared that they
will want to ask you "what happened". SMILE and tell them that "It's
ALL good". (or, you can go into a long dissertation about how rotten it
was and ruin the mood).
The BEST way to say this is, once again, YOUR attitude is YOUR
decision. It takes a whole lot less facial wear and tear to SMILE than
to cry. Look FORWARD. Again, IT'S JUST ONE DAY. You'll survive!
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Available for your calls today!
Keep Smiling and MAKE it a GREAT Thursday!
Sending you angels,
Jane