Just How Painful Are the Holidays for You?

The Holidays Are Tough For The Divorced!

If you’re going through a divorce and are alone for Christmas and News Years, here are some words of encouragement for you: Go do something! Don’t sit around and say “Woe is me!”  Get off the couch and get out of the house! Go help someone – call someone – encourage someone!  If you’re sitting in a chair and watching old reruns of “It’s a Wonderful life” or “Miracle On 34th Street” and you expect your life to change, forget it – it won’t!  It’s time to change that kind of behavior.

It’s a fact that helping others will do you a world of good. You can’t focus on your own worries and troubles when you’re helping others. I can personally testify to this! When my world was caving in on me a few years ago I didn’t have the energy to get out of bed much less off the couch! I was hurting so bad I didn’t eat a solid meal for several weeks. Everything changed the Christmas of 2005 when I met a young family near my home that was experiencing a world of hurt. They had little food and no presents under the tree for their children. That’s when, in my own personal misery, I decided to buy them some groceries and a few, small presents. Most of the fun was planning how I would deliver the goodies to this hurting family.  I decided to place everything on the doorstep with a card wishing them a wonderful Christmas. I rang the door bell and ran like a track star to a hedgerow not too far from the house so they wouldn’t see who had delivered Christmas that cold December night!

The porch light came on and the front door slowly opened.  I watched one of the young children and his father come out and stare in disbelief at the bags of groceries and gifts. They looked down the street and then in my direction; fortunately they didn’t see me and continued to stand in wonderment at the sight of Christmas on their front porch. A few minutes later the rest of the family came out to see what the excitement was all about!  They were thrilled as they picked everything up and went back into the house. I had a warm feeling of accomplishment and knew I had made a difference in the lives of this family and new memories that would last a lifetime.  I went home thrilled that a needy family would have food and presents on Christmas Day.  My own pain and loneliness was a faded memory as I fell asleep with a heart filled with joy!  That night I slept soundly and with a smile on my face.

Helping others will help ease the pain of divorce, separation or loss of a loved one especially around the holidays.  Are you willing to go out on a limb and help someone in need?  I promise you it will change your life as others lives are changed by your random acts of kindness.

If you’re one of those who just can’t motivate yourself to get off the couch and need someone to talk to then call me!  That’s what I am here for. The Christmas and New Year’s holidays may be a difficult time of the year for you.  From time to time we all need someone to talk to who will listen and help us navigate through the pain.  Call Dr. Mike and set up an appointment for a free consultation. Let’s make this Christmas and New Year a better one for you!