Community Chat

[Greeneyedlady21]

 Yes indeed, you never know what someone's personal stresses and life situations and challenges are-unless you know them well or they tell you.

My family is a mess, my life is very stressful as the sole full time caregiver for my Mom. Right now I am stressing over wanting to put up our tree but I am hopefully at the end of a case of bronchitis and literally the only one who can do all that. My Mom can help with some of the ornaments.  I have to just give myself a break and get it done when I can. It's just tough sometimes when you are the do-it-all person to quiet that inner voice that beats you up.

But just like I tried to do last year this year I will try to, within myself, get in touch with the simple core of what Christmas  means to me. This year I have experienced joy in picking out gifts for someone who came into our lives and brought so much happiness to both of us. She always reminds me to try to find the joy in little things no matter how awful the big stuff gets.

So if your life is relatively free from stress, health issues, financial worries, family woes, etc maybe give thanks for that. And maybe lend a helping hand to someone who can use it. We all have our stresses and worries, and we all handle them differently.

[SharkE]

Testing

[Noel7]

@Greeneyedlady21

What a beautiful post from you, thank you!

I understand your situation, I took part-time care of my mother and then my father after my mother died.  I had just had a baby.  Now it's reversed, I am the one struggling every day and my daughter helps.  She works full time and writes.  I've always wanted her to have a good life, which is why I did it all for her in spite of lupus.  Somehow it worked, but it wasn't easy

I'm glad you're on our board

[Greeneyedlady21]

@Noel7;Thank you so much for your kind words. I admire your attitude and strength while dealing with lupus. Merry Christmas to you.

[Noel7]

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@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:

@Noel7;Thank you so much for your kind words. I admire your attitude and strength while dealing with lupus. Merry Christmas to you.

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@Greeneyedlady21

Thank you.  Happy Holidays to you, sorry, I don't know which particular holiday it is for you.  How about happy every one of them

[Lucky Dog]

edited- responded to wrong post.

[151949]

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@chickenbutt wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Anyone who has seen my numerous holiday threads knows how much I look forward to holidays.

Not understanding why some here think anyone who doesn't feel stress is doing it wrong.

Try doing it all with an autoimmune illness, as some here have, and get back to me about what a snap it was for you.

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This!   We all have different experiences in life.  Why does it, for some, have to mean that some of us are deficient or less-than or skrewed up, that we might be stressing out but want to do it anyway. (rhetorical question)

We all have our own challenges.  If you don't have any challenges - awesome!   Probably the rest of us wish we didn't either.  But real life isn't a cakewalk for everybody.   Variety.  It's ok.

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THAT ^^^^ 

I know!  People need to think outside the box, not everyone is the same.  I have never understood why some people have to try to make others feel bad if they are having a hard time.

Sure, it could be simple, do nothing more than make a salad to take to someone else's house for Christmas.  That's nice, but realize not everyone has a laid back life like a few others have.

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Sometimes people are only asked to bring a salad because others are aware that is either all they are capable of or its the only effort they would make anyway. My DH says some people are givers and some are takers - nothing will change either of them.

[Cakers3]

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@tansy wrote:

Over the years I've eliminated most of the holiday things that stressed me and savor the traditions that I do enjoy.

Husband and I are spending our first Christmas with our giggly 3 yo grandson.  I am pumped!  I am hoping that we are not stressing out our DIL though.

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@tansy^^^This.

We have choices - our tree went kaput and is not being replaced.  No stress at all.  We've been using our little tabletop artificial tree on the floor with the gifts.

Enjoy your wee grandson-your DIL will be fine. I don't picture you as a meddling MIL.

[nun ya]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Anyone who has seen my numerous holiday threads knows how much I look forward to holidays.

Not understanding why some here think anyone who doesn't feel stress is doing it wrong.

Try doing it all with an autoimmune illness, as some here have, and get back to me about what a snap it was for you.

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This!   We all have different experiences in life.  Why does it, for some, have to mean that some of us are deficient or less-than or skrewed up, that we might be stressing out but want to do it anyway. (rhetorical question)

We all have our own challenges.  If you don't have any challenges - awesome!   Probably the rest of us wish we didn't either.  But real life isn't a cakewalk for everybody.   Variety.  It's ok.

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Thank you!!

[Lila Belle]

My "stress" is nothing compared to those struggling with hard times, a sick child, spouse, or parent. My "stress" is nothing compared to someone who is without basic necessities and facing telling their kids there'll be no Santa.

We try to live simply and share what we can with an open heart.