‘Tis the Season and with it come traditions. Year after year we’ve kept them, they give us a sense of family, of togetherness, of happy memories. As a result, we feel we must keep them going forever. In fact we have been keeping them for years even if we do not feel the same way about them anymore. It’s the way we were brought up, the way we brought up our children. For most of us, it’s the only way!!!

This year, forget about bringing up all those boxes full of Christmas Past. They were wonderful in their time, but we must be realistic. Forget about buying presents randomly, forget about cooking for days to have more food than people would be able to eat, forget all of those traditions. Nowhere it is written that we must exhaust, stress and overspend ourselves to make the Holidays happy. Reality check, Happiness is subjective!!

Let’s try a different way. Let’s make it all about what makes us happy, what bring us together, what we want to do. Start new traditions, decorate with things that please you, cook less and spend more time with your loved ones. Share your blessings and volunteer, make other people Holidays bright, be present and share your time. The rewards will be amazing and your body, mind and pocket will thank you!!!