By Marilyn C. Arayata
DID you ever notice that you easily catch a cold when you are lonely? Loneliness weakens the body’s immune system, so it is not surprising that many lonely people develop diseases. This is one very important reason why we need to strive to be calm and positive amidst life’s storms – we need to take care of our health. Like what I always emphasize, a person may be hardworking and optimistic, but if his health is failing, how can he accomplish anything?
How can he even take care of his loved ones?
Are you suffering in any way during this festive season? Sadness cannot be avoided, but we can do certain things to make it bearable.
1. Create happy moments. Do the things that will make you happy as long as you don’t harm or pester anybody. Do not deprive yourself of this emotion. You will need the happy experiences and the boost that goes with them to help you deal with unpleasant events and situations. Nothing is permanent, but the happy memories will stay with you.
2. Give. The generous and thoughtful are happy. Look at the miserly. They always count everything and think about the cost. Look at the men who are enslaved by greed. They always scheme to get more and more and more. They are angry and bitter and are experts at complaining even if they have more than enough. Give. Real giving is when it hurts. You don’t give something which you do not want for yourself.
3. Set boundaries. Whether you are giving something material or non-material, keep in mind that everything must have a limit. You must keep something for yourself. You don’t want people to abuse your kindness. That is a sure cause of stress.
4. Be thankful. There are still good things and people in your life despite what you are going through. “It’s thankful people who are happy”!
5. Remember that you are never alone. God cares about you. He even gave His only Son for you. Stop taking life so seriously and carrying all the world’s burdens. As someone said, you are not the savior of the world!
Have a meaningful Christmas!
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Marilyn Arayata: Inspirational author, columnist, speaker, and former DLSU-D faculty, your partner in preventing bullying, depression, and suicide. E-mail [email protected]. Like the Hope Boosters
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