Jennifer Goble
Mental Health Matters

We are one week and two days away from Christmas; memories of childhood; love in the air; Christmas music; cookies, candies, and festivities abounding.

Our blessings are immeasurable. This side of the holidays is ideal and joyful.

There is a flip side to the story: The family living down the street with no money for turkey, ham or gifts; the senior citizen who has no one visiting; the person who lost their loved one, making Christmas nearly unbearable; the parent who is in the off year with their ex for getting their kids; the couple going through separation or divorce; or the military men and women far from home.

Christmas can be very painful when it doesn’t fit the ideal.

It is good for us to stop the frantic rushing and think about others.

Few activities build mental health like doing something kind for someone, if the value of our giving is in the sincerity of the heart.

We give because we want to and because we can.

We give because it’s the right thing to do.

Give with pure intention.

If you give the homeless person $10 and watch her/him head straight to the liquor store, it is not our job to judge.

Give without strings attached. If you want them to buy food give them restaurant certificates instead of money.

Give freely.

Give without expectations or obligations.

We don’t have to give much.

A 10-minute visit with someone who is alone or sick is priceless and costs nothing.

Gather up your neighbors and go

Christmas caroling to the nursing home; your reward will be the sparkle in the residents’ eyes.

It would be great training for kids too.

We can all hang onto the ideal, the fairytale holidays, but we can slowly change the traditions to include more sharing and caring than gifts and chaos.

A friend once told me that Christmas began as a holy day and then it became a holiday and now it is at risk of being a hollow day.

I see no problem in wanting the Christmas that is portrayed in greeting cards.

Yet let us not forget about the individuals and families who are not as fortunate.

Christmas – the holy holiday!

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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