Holiday challenges? Bring it on!

The winter holidays are a perfect (hope that’s not temperamental lingo) breeding ground for lowered feelings, comparison temper, unbridled sentimentalism, regrets about the past, fears about the future, and setbacks. At least for me.

I say, Bring it on! Of course it’s already started–regardless of whether I want it to. Christmas is a week away, it’s bleak and dark and damp. The reality that I won’t do anywhere near as much as some part of me seems to want to (Baking! Decorating! Entertaining! Making eggnog! Writing out personalized Christmas cards! Making wreaths! Shopping! Caroling! Seeing lights! Visiting friends! Having family to visit! Sleigh rides through winter wonderlands!) is starting to sink in.

This all would seem to indicate a tendency to perfectionism. And high expectations that ultimately lead to disappointments.

So why “Bring it on”? Because it’s an opportunity (OK, many opportunities) to practise. Dr. Low tells us that “control of our internal environment is infinitely more important than all the possible triumphs we may be able to scre over external environment” (MHTWT, p. 110). Every time we bear discomfort and endorse for the effort, we improve our mental health. And after all, that’s our supreme goal.

So this year I plan to give myself the best Christmas present I can think of–a commitment to my mental health, no matter how uncomfortable and difficult it may be getting there.

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