Choose Cheer

So this is “the most wonderful time of year” where everyone is supposed to be of “good cheer”, right?  Long lines, traffic in the parking lots, out of stock items, family tensions, and a slew of other stressors make “cheer” seem like a distant holiday relic.  Perhaps there used to be cheer around Christmas time, but maybe it is now a distant memory captured in a Norman Rockwell painting of a different era of holiday celebration.  Has cheer become a casualty of the Christmas rush?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  The answer is up to you.

We are the determining force behind our attitudes, cheer included.  You can allow the hustle and bustle of the season to rob us of the joy that is supposed to be indicative of this season.  You can blame outside circumstances and situations.  Ultimately, the choice of our holiday happiness is our own.  So why not choose cheer?

Grumbling is for Grinches.  Always fighting is for Abominable Snowmen.  At the close of this season you will have the opportunity to look back on these days with fondness or regret.  The difference will be the approach you took to the 12 days of Christmas (and then some).  Choose cheer!  You and your family will be glad that you did.

Here’s a few tips on how to choose cheer…

Smile

Say Thank You

Sing a Christmas Song (Out Loud)

Drink Hot Chocolate and Cider

Eat Christmas Cookies

Go Look at Neighborhood Lights

Bake Something For a Neighbor (Or Buy It From Kroger)

Eat a Candy Cane Just Because You Can

Start A New Christmas Tradition

Remember An Old Christmas Tradition

Sit Down For a Minute and Reflect On Your Favorite Christmas Memory

Remember the Reason for the Season (more on that in posts to come)