The Joy, Comfort, and Stress-Reducing Power of December

There is something special about this time of the year. December brings an air of joy that can help you reduce the stress acquired over the course year if approached correctly. 

 

On the other hand, you can choose to take on the month's festivities with hyper-stress as you participate in the gift exchanges and family gatherings. Or you can choose to bask in the month's joy and sip in all the comfort of knowing another year is coming to an end. In other words, relax! And as you relax, you reflect - look back and see some of the footprints you have left in the sands of time.

 

Some prints may bring back memories you wish you didn’t have, while others may remind you of moments you want to last forever. It’s effortless to keep your mind fixated on those not-so-great moments, which can then add to the stress of living through December. However, if you own your thoughts and keep them on the beautiful moments of the year, you’d find that the “thank goodness” moments start to outweigh the “wish it didn’t happen” moments. 

 

And If you think about it long enough, you will find a reason to be grateful for all you have or don’t. You start to see patterns in situations and connect the dots of problems while transforming them into opportunities. When you do, your heart will begin to lighten, and stress lessens as you stare at the image that emerges from the mosaic of all the randomness that happened in your life this year. 

 

 

As you ponder further, you start to see the purpose of God in the mundane things of life. Sometimes things happen to make us grow. Other times it's to help us be more empathetic, while at other times, it's to make us feel blessed. So, whatever transpired this year, take some time to reflect and find a reason to be thankful. And as you immerse yourself in the joy and thankfulness of the season, you will feel relieved. 

 

Go through December stress-free and thankfully focusing on your remarkable moments. Don’t extend yourself beyond your means in a bid to meet up to the expectations of the festivities, or you’d heap more pressure on yourself. Instead, enjoy the season knowing that God has an excellent plan for your life. And as the year ends, God's plan is only just beginning.