Does the word "holiday," or "Thanksgiving," or "Christmas" send shivers down your spine? Does it make you cringe just a little because you know that with those words comes stress? Do you immediately think of everything you need to do and get done before it all happens? Do you think of family members you will have to see and be nice to, even though you only see them once a year? Do you groan in silence to think of all the food that needs to be cooked and the dishes that need to be done? Do you dread hearing about politics, and how the world is becoming such a bad place, and how we are all doomed with the upcoming generations taking over? How about all the people that don't help while you slave away in the kitchen and everyone is having fun watching sports and playing games, only to get maybe one person saying thank you for the feast you just made?

Well, let's talk about all that and figure out how we can have peace and joy during the Holiday season. It all starts with yourself that you cannot control what others do and think or say during these times. You can only control your attitude and behavior toward them or the situation. So, let's talk about our blessings and the things we GET TO DO! Are you in a cozy home filled with people (even though you may not like them)? Do you hear laughter and see smiles? Does someone offer to help? Do you see kids playing, running around, or screaming? Let's look at all these things with a perspective of joy instead of anguish because all of the things I just mentioned are called blessings.

People always say you should enjoy what you have while you have it, but I think we take that for granted sometimes, and we DO forget the blessings that we have right under our noses. We are healthy and have people to share the Holidays with. We can cook and clean; we have the provisions to provide all these tasty dishes to people who are happy to indulge.

Now, if you can't get past how the Holidays are miserable to you, or you don't have these blessings that I am talking about, then do what I always tell my kid: if you can't find any blessings throughout your day, then be a blessing for someone else. Bless others, help others, love others, and be grateful and thankful in any and every situation! I know what you're thinking: do I really have to be nice to a grumpy old uncle or grandpa who never has anything nice to say and constantly criticizes everything? Yes, yes, you do! Not only do you need to be nice, you need to bless him. When you start to bless others and have a grateful heart, you will see how the Holidays will change for you.

But if none of these things work for you, I have the solution for you, save money and vacation to Bora Bora next year alone. TA-DA!