Dec Web

GRATITUDE GIVES
PERSPECTIVE
by Denise Aden, MSW LISW Quad Cities Counseling
We have said goodbye to
Thanksgiving but that doesn’t
mean we shouldn’t continue to
be “thankful.”
For many people, that
means activities like shopping,
planning parties, cooking,
and decorating. With so many
things going on, it’s easy to feel
the pressure of the season, and
even start to feel overwhelmed.
It’s ironic, considering the
holidays are also a time to be
thankful and appreciative of the
things we have. In an effort to
capture the warmth and peace
of the season, many of us get
stressed out over making every
detail perfect.
Gratitude can really put
holiday pressure in perspective.
Unfortunately, we tend to lose
a lot of that gratitude this time
of year, because we’re so busy
thinking about other things!
When you choose to be
more grateful this season,
you’ll recognize that the power
of appreciation actually helps
to release a lot of pressure.
Be Thankful for Good Health
Sometimes we take the
basics for granted. But good
health is definitely something
to appreciate, especially as
our community and world
continues to deal with the
effects of Covid-19. This
holiday season may continue
to look a little different and
more socially distant but it is
still a time to rejoice if you have
your health or appreciate that
your health or that of a loved
one has been restored this
year.
Be Thankful for Family and
Friends
Sometimes, going from
party to party and having to
spend hours with family can
be overwhelming. There may
even be some family members,
friends, or co-workers you’d
rather not spend your time
with.
Instead of dreading these
get-togethers, try to think
about how lucky you are to
have so many people in your
life who care about you. Yes,
people can test our patience
sometimes. But, not everyone
has a family to go home to,
or friends to spend their time
with.
By being grateful for family
and friends who love you, you’ll
be less likely to get annoyed by
having to spend so much time
with them.
Be Thankful for Your Home
Between decorating,
having people over, cleaning,
and cooking, you might take
your home for granted. But,
between the hustle and bustle,
take a moment to appreciate
14 December 2021 I QC Family Focus