Comments on: Women Over Fifty—Your Authentically Happy Holidays

By: Diana Black

Diana Black — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:57:58 +0000

Thank you, Eileen, and all the other wonderful women who have shared their thoughts about deep loss and unsettling situations. May our feisty side emerge more often than not in 2009. And may we be here for each other, to encourage and inspire, and to remind one another that, in spite of it all–even when there is no visible proof at the time–there is always something or someone to be grateful for.

By: Mary Cunningham

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:32:18 +0000

Thanks for addressing this. Through several losses and health issues, I felt slightly depressed over the holidays. Just couldn’t get into the spirit. I’ll look forward to checking out Dr. Seligman’s site.

By: Kathie M. Thomas

Kathie M. Thomas — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:33:16 +0000

This is our first Christmas without our beloved daughter Miriam and has been sad. All the more heightened because we have another daughter overseas who was having trouble with flights being cancelled on her – we were told on Christmas Eve that she never boarded a flight in Cairo and we spent 4 hours worrying and praying for her safety. Turns out she was on the plane – the airline stuffed up somehow. Not good.

By: Pat Montgomery

Pat Montgomery — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:52:15 +0000

It is a great time to reflect on happy memories. That is one way to fight depression. You are right about more depression this time of year and we must do what we can to create positive thoughts and energy.

Spend a few minutes each day pretending you are happy and not depressed. Eventually you will find you are authenically laughing and enjoying yourself. Also spend a few minutes each day focusing on the wonderful things that happened this year or on past Christmases rather than continually dwelling on the negative.

I did this when I lost Mom just before Christmas a few years ago. I made myself focus on all the happy memories we had made and it boosted my spirtis.

By: Pam Archer

Pam Archer — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:55:33 +0000

Eileen,

Even through sadness, loneliness, and emptiness, we can experience peace of mind and heart, through faith in Jesus Christ, the reason for the celebration, and the healer of broken hearts. True joy comes from within, and our thoughts and the words that come out of our mouth directly affect us. I have begun to realize this and put into practice the power of the tongue, and how we are what we say and think. It is so easy to give in to sadness and depression, it happens to all of us at one time or another. Focusing on the positive does help us through. I love what Vicki Taylor had to say, and agree 100%

Thank you for a great post. You are cutting edge with your topics.

By: Heidi Caswell

Heidi Caswell — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:21:05 +0000

I’ll have to send my husband over to the website, he always get depressed come Christmas.

By: Beverly Mahone

Beverly Mahone — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:28:26 +0000

Dr. Seligman’s writing looks interesting. I do believe authentic happiness must come from the inside but it’s breaking through all of the other garbage (stress, depression, loneliness,, etc) that makes happiness tough for some people.

By: PopArtDiva

PopArtDiva — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:45:04 +0000

It’s great that you point out that “the happiest time of year” can be the opposite of that for many people, and it’s made more difficult for those who are suffering from grief, sadness or depression because of all the happy-happy-joy-joy that sometimes can slap you in the face!

I think it behooves us all to realize that not everyone is surrounded by loving family; there are many people out there – especially in this economic upheaval – that are financially challenged, lonely and made sadder by all the jolly around.

It would be nice if those who are blessed and fortunate to share a bit of that with someone around who is not.

I also will enjoy taking those questionnaires to see if I am making good progress in my quest to be a more positive person!

Happy Holidays my Boomer BFF!

By: Vicki M. Taylor

Vicki M. Taylor — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:01:38 +0000

I’ve always found myself on a cycle of depression around the holidays, but this year is different for me. Well, I guess I have to thank my psychiatrist for that with a great change in meds!! But, it also helped that I have an awesome therapist who helped me cognitively see that I can change my outlook on life as well. I live more in the present. That’s really important for someone with OCD, anxiety and panic disorders who gets depressed around the holidays. So, I say to you, try to live in the present moment. Don’t let yesterday invade your thoughts, it’s done and over with and you can’t do anything about it anymore. And, try not to worry too much about tomorrow. It takes away from enjoying today.

Not only do happy people live longer, but when you’re happy, other people tend to be happier around you. It’s the best “disease” you can spread!

By: Brigit

Brigit — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:49:03 +0000

Great post, for this time of year. I think most people get a bit stressed aroung Christmas, and some help in finding happiness when you can’t quite get there has got to be a good thing. Thanks for the link. Will check it out now.