December 2007 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

18
works through others. He knows
what we need, and the Holy Ghost
can prompt someone else to help.
We can also find joy in acting on the
promptings we receive.
The simple act of service that was
shown by two senior missionaries not
only brightened a bleak holiday for me
but also has motivated me to do all in
my power to serve others. Ultimately,
that is how we find happiness in life,
whatever the season.
Elder Adam Johnson, Taiwan Taipei Mission
When I was 29, my husband died
unexpectedly, leaving me a single
mother with five daughters, the oldest
having just turned seven. I had no idea
how we would survive Christmas without
my husband. It took some time to
figure out how to take the “hole” out of
the season and make it “whole” again.
No matter what the circumstance, some
basic strategies can help alleviate feelings
of loneliness.
First, fatigue is a major contributor
to depression, and when do we have
more to do than at Christmastime?
Don’t overload yourself. Know when to
say no. Physical strength is essential to a
&
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
feeling of well-being. Get enough rest,
skip the overabundance of sugar, eat
healthy meals, and combine exercise
with a good dose of sunshine.
Second, while service is an
important antidote for grief,
choose wisely things that are
uplifting but that do not add
to the chaos. In addition, don’t be
afraid to let others serve you. When
people ask what they can do, tell them.
Third, for a while, memories may
increase your sadness, so let go of traditions
that get you down. Establish
new traditions or try something different
each year that enriches your holidays.
Make it simple. Do something
that you’ll enjoy without hours of
preparation. One year my daughters
and I had a Christmas reading with
scriptures and hymns interspersed.
No rehearsals. No costumes. We just
had fun and felt the Spirit.
Fourth, create an uplifting environment
for yourself. Check your ward or
public library for faith-promoting
DVDs. Associate with happy people.
CeLeste Mann, Texas
After much soul-searching and
prayer, this is what I have learned about
feeling the spirit of the holiday season:
• Happiness is not the result of
receiving many gifts but of righteous
living.
• Service need not be a massive
project but should be of real value to
the recipient.
• A cheerful spirit is contagious.
Surround yourself with friends and
family, as a crowd of cheerful people
can soften the effect of loneliness and
despair.
• Praying with thanksgiving will help
remind us of the good things in life. It
forces us to look outward instead of
hiding inside a shell of self-pity.
James R. Osborne, Iowa
As I approach my late 20s as a
single adult, the holidays become
harder each year. Even though my
family lives nearby, the constant
barrage of holiday cards I receive
from friends with pictures of their
new spouses or children is enough
to start a pity party for myself!
But Christmas isn’t a time to focus
on ourselves—it is a time to celebrate
the birth of our Savior and to cherish
loved ones in our lives, both near and
far. I have found that the following
practices help me to avoid feeling
alone during the holidays.
• Adopting an attitude of “What
can I do for others?” There is always
someone who can use a cheerful card,
LEFT: TOP INSET COURTESY OF SUE SAVAGE; BOTTOM INSET COURTESY OF ERIN PEER; RIGHT: COOKIES BY RACHEL HIXSON