Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today with another Slice of Life Post. I reside in Michigan and we’re having an unseasonably warm winter. I appreciate this because last year was horribly cold and I was going through chemo. I couldn’t warm myself to save my life. I wore layers of clothing and bundled up under blankets to keep warm. It seems like ages ago, but it has only been a year since I had to undergo treatment.
So, the fact that I can take a walk in sixty degree weather, wearing my spring coat in December is something I’m grateful for. I enjoy walking in nature. It calms me and settles my rattled nerves when life gets too busy.
This time of year life gets hectic. The holidays, while fun can be stressful. My hubby and I went Christmas shopping last night and the crowds were overwhelming, especially to a couple of introverts like us. As you can guess, we avoid crowds as much as possible. They stress us out.
Since there were so many people, the lines to check out were long. We grew tired of waiting and patrons were grumpy. I made a mental note to start my shopping earlier next year and do it in the morning. I doubt the stores would’ve been so busy then.
Not only were the lines in the stores long, but traffic around the malls was heavy. Because of this, it took us forty-five minutes to travel to a destination that would normally take us twenty. I could feel the frustration growing inside of me. I tried deep calming breaths, which helped, but didn’t completely dissolve my angst. Glancing at my hubby, I found him hunched behind the wheel, white-knuckling it as he glared at the inconsiderate drivers trying to switch lanes in front of us.
Then I thought of last year. How I couldn’t help my hubby with the shopping because I didn’t feel well. I remember I wasn’t excited about Christmas. It had become a daunting task in the wake of my diagnosis and treatment.
I chastised myself for allowing some ornery people and insensitive drivers to have such a detrimental effect on my mood. I started thinking about my boys. I love the fact they still believe in Santa, and the fact that we have to take precautions so we won’t get caught with the presents. I appreciate that I’m able to shop this year for my boys. I’m glad I’m here and that I can share another Christmas with them.
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http://all-free-download.com/free-photos/free-christmas-images.html
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Thank you for the resources! I know the feeling of crowded stores, and I also know the beautiful that is still out there. We just need to slow down time and appreciate the beautiful out there.
Thanks for stopping by “Teacher with a Pencil!” You’re so right, when we focus on being grateful, that certainly helps our mood! 🙂
We can be so hard on ourselves! You wrote that you “chastised (your)self or allowing some ornery people and insensitive drivers to have such a detrimental effect on my mood.” Don’t forget to forgive yourself, too. My yoga teacher is helping me work through these same struggles. I’m so glad that you were able to get out of your funk and take time to be grateful!
Thanks for stopping by Kathleen! You have a very good point. I need to give myself a break. I do have a tendency to be too hard on myself.
It sounds like you’re doing much better this holiday season. I’m so glad that the warm weather can help your mood too. (I’m quite positive I’m on the verge of an arthritis diagnosis so the warmer weather has been helping the pain I have in my knuckles when the cold weather descends upon us.) Kudos to you for taking the time to be grateful! I have a feeling you’ll appreciate this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html?_r=0.
A very happy holiday season to you.
Thanks for stopping by Stacey. Sorry to hear about your potential arthritis diagnosis. I hear it can be quite painful. Crossing my fingers for you that the weather stays warm! Thanks for the article! I appreciate it!
Wonderful post, Lisa! Thanks for sharing how you were able to take a negative situation and make it positive. So few people do that. Big hugs to you and your family this holiday season, my friend. Wishing you all the best – health, happiness, and of course wealth in 2016!
Thanks for stopping by Sharon! I appreciate your well wishes and I’m sending them back to you! Best of luck in the coming New Year! 🙂