"Some Thoughts About Christmas Past, and the New Year"

 

I have some thoughts about this past Christmas, as well as about the new year.

In my last "The Art of Positive Living" blog post on Sunday, December 3, 2023, I discussed the spirit of Christmas. I mentioned several things that the spirit of Christmas could be, but there's another important one that I should have mentioned, but didn't, and that was-

music!

Around the first of December, I was really busy painting portraits and making coal jewelry, as well as doing the usual pre-Christmas activities, so much so that I just didn't have that spirit-of-Christmas feeling, until I was shopping in one store where I heard a beautiful song over the store's sound system, with the words, "That's Christmas to me." I researched those words, and I found out that the song was sung by a group that was new to me, Pentatonix. I also discovered that besides Christmas songs, they sing other types of songs, as well. So now, I'm a yearlong fan!

So, music is another great way to get yourself into the spirit of Christmas.

Thankfully, most of us have a relatively merry Christmas with family and/or friends, with Christmas cards, holiday gatherings, and various other holiday activities, but for some, the Christmas/New Year's holidays are not so happy, especially if a loved one has passed away during that time. In that case, Dr. Laura Koniver has the answer for depression, sorrow, and anxiety, etc., for then, as well as for any time of the year. (See www.intuition-physician.com for more information.)

For 2024, I started thinking about a quote that I really like, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" (Dr. Seuss) The truth is that we are all unique individuals, and we should just try to be ourselves, to be who God created us to be, instead of trying to be like everyone else.

For example, just because everyone else is wearing black tights, doesn't mean that is necessarily right for us. Instead, dress however you like; wear whatever suits you; don't try to be a carbon copy of everyone else.

Also, don't go along with the crowd on even more important matters. We need to decide if the path we're taking is the right one. 

I'm still working on several New Year's resolutions. I'm devoting one week for each one. For example, Greg and I tend to be workaholics, and we need to get more sleep, so we worked on a plan to get in bed 15 minutes earlier each night until we reach our target time. Another week, we're working to incorporate more fun into our lives. We've made out a fun-list of things to do and places to go, to just have fun! Sounds like a plan!

What positive changes would you like to see in your life?

~Cute pet feature-

This doggie (above) is all ready to go-"2024, here I come!" (Are you ready to go, too?)

Positive thought: "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?" -John Steinbeck

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, February 3, 2024, Becky