It’s amazing that many people become depressed during the holidays – the most wonderful time of the year.  So much to do, the  sagging economy, raging war,  regrets about not achieving your goals for the year, yada, yada, yada.

I happened across a wonderful site called Life Optimizing.com and picked up a few tips to keep in mind today and every day when that little Grinch comes around to steal your Christmas (with my edits, of course).

1.Today you are healthy

We are so used to being healthy that we forget how good being healthy is. Sometimes we need to be sick to appreciate the blessing of being healthy.

2. Today you have someone who loves you

Being lonely is terrible. Today, if you have someone who loves you, you have something more valuable than wealth.

If you don’t, adopt a pet.  You can’t be depressed while watching a kitten chase his tail, or gazing into the brown pools of trusting eyes of your Boston terrier.

3. Today you have opportunity to love

Not only do you have someone who loves you, today you also have the opportunity to love them – and other people – back.  Warts and all.

4. Today you have good meals to eat

If you can eat a good meal today, just remember that many people can’t. People all over the world are stuggling for food to sustain themselves and their children.  Here in the land of plenty, we take it for granted.

5. Today you have a job

Many people are jobless. If you aren’t, you have a reason to be excited about your work.  If like me, you are retired, you still have a job – to give back and make contributions to society.  Just because we are retired, doesn’t mean we can sit down and watch the world like a passing parade. (I admit I’ve been doing that since winter set in, but I’m changing that today – when it warms up a bit.)

6. Today you live in peace

I just can’t imagine living in the midst of war. Fear and terror will always haunt us, but just for today, appreciate the goodwill of friends and neighbors and say a prayer of gratitude that car bombs are not what you fear when you step out of the house.

7. Today you have clean air to breathe

You don’t have to wear a mask, do you? Many people in the world must. In some parts of the world the air quality is so bad people can no longer breathe freely.

8. Today you are safe and free

You can go to the places you want without worrying that something bad will happen to you – well, most of the time, anyway.

9. Today you have opportunity to give

Giving is among the best ways to increase your happiness and today you have the opportunity to give.  Even if it’s only a compliment or word of encouragement, they will have a ripple effect and come back to you – probably before the day is over.  This has happened to me many times.

10. Today is a new day

Forget the past. Forget yesterday. Today you have the gift of starting over.

In a moment of reflection, I was telling my book club last night that I was wishing for a “do-over” for my life.

Suddenly I realized I get a do-over every morning when I wake up and face the new day.

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