Jennifer Goble
Mental Health Matters

Tomorrow is the day for food, family, and fun; Thanksgiving. For me, this year is a day of poor, pitiful pearl because I am not going to be with family. Boohoo ME!

Times like this call for me to put on my big girl hat and practice what I preach. For example: I’m only as sad as my mind allow; shift my thoughts; it’s up to me; it’s only one day; start a new tradition; invite friends over; etc.

My sweet mother would have said, “Just don’t think about it honey.”

My no-nonsense dad would have said, in a quiet grumble, “#$%^&*…(*&^%$# girls!”

Advice does not help much, but it does make me smile. Geez, I’m old, and I feel like a child who has been refused cotton candy at the county fair. There are worse things in life, seriously, and we don’t have to look far to see them. So, get over it Jennifer! Just be grateful. Tomorrow is a day for giving thanks, not pouting!

Do you have heart to heart talks with yourself, as I just did, when you’re close to a feel sorry for yourself tantrum?

I have many gratitudes, and tomorrow is a day designated to thanks-giving. Nothing more, nothing less.

Holidays can be difficult.

Contributing factors could be disappointment with life, memories of past holidays, loss of loved ones, feeling alone and unloved, and knowing you are simply missing out.

A poor-me party is not the best setting for a day of counting blessings or for mental wellness.

If you are experiencing holiday doldrums, join me in a good self-lecture and do something to build a day of thanks-giving.

As for me, I am going to volunteer on the Crisis Text Line in the morning, helping kids get through tough situations. We will have a delicious homemade something, or not, and watch an old movie – or two.

I’m going to be grateful for my phone so I can connect with family, my husband who is happy to be with just me, and for life’s blessings, especially good health.

I am going to have a day of thanks-giving, no matter where I am. I want the same for you!

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Check out her book, My Clients…My Teachers and her weekly blog at www.jennifergoble.com.)

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