Christmas is an inherently pleasant holiday. But when does the repetition of the expectation of Christmas spirit start to become an ally of depression and anxiety? Every year the message is the same: wave the banner for love, joy, and peace. As majestic and wholesome these values may be, continual pressure to uphold a seasonal moral code in spite of real financial, relational, or emotional stress can make for one strong cup of Christmas gloom. In the Christmas season Americans are surrounded by messages encouraging peace on earth and good will toward men after, of course only after each person has purchased every gadget with an i in front of the name.
The elusive goals of “don’t worry, be happy” and “in all things, think positively” often results in self-dismay or misguided attempts to solve low self-esteem. In Psychology of Hope by C. R. Snyder, strategies are given for grasping hold of inward initiative and mental flexibility to produce a sense of hope that can tolerate seasonal pressures and inward journeys of self-discovery. Hope is a combination of will and way: the inner will to succeed and the ways one creates to overcome obstacles. People with high self-esteem and high senses of hope tend to have prominent life goals and strong will- and way-power. These goals are met with a belief in one’s ability to achieve and the awareness of alternate ways to succeed.
In creating hopeful living, first focus on what is the weakest. If there are no goals, make them. If the motivation to succeed is gone, spark some self-confidence. If quitting occurs after one attempt, forgive yourself and try again. Christmas demands a perfect façade of blissful cheer, but cultivating hope first may naturally produce authentic holiday virtues. This holiday season may be the start of a strong, resounding hope that pervades through the sadness and stress, naturally producing yearlong Christmas cheer.
Snyder, C. R. (1994). The psychology of hope. New York, NY: The Free Press.
Comments