Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Holiday Wishes and a Blogging Break


THE MORE YOU 
PRAISE AND CELEBRATE
YOUR LIFE,
THE MORE THERE IS IN LIFE
TO CELEBRATE.
(Oprah Winfrey)

The holiday season is not joyful for everyone. Some people are grieving. Others are lonely. Many are stressed for reasons ranging from financial to familial. And society - TV commercials, ads, holiday movies, etc - can often make people feel worse for not experiencing the "perfect" time. 

If you're struggling this holiday season, please try to look beyond the trappings and into the heart of what is good in you and in your life. It's sometimes hard to see it with all the hoopla, but it's there. It might seem small or inconsequential to you, but it's not. It's important. You do have something to "praise and celebrate." We all do. 

How's your health? Is there a solid roof over your head? Do you have a pet that you love? Can you pick up a small toy to donate for a children's charity? How about a stroll to look at Christmas lights? Do you find peace in attending a religious service? How about treating yourself to a book you've been dying to read, a movie marathon while curled up on the couch, a favorite rich food that makes your eyeballs roll back in your head? How about starting a gratitude journal? It might be a lovely way to give the old year a solid goodbye embrace while also opening your arms wide and joyfully to the new year that's arriving.

All of us here at The Shellshank Redemption wish you joy - whatever that looks like for you - this holiday season. I'll pop in and out of the blogosphere, but the tortoises say no more posts until after Christmas. It does take them some time to get things done. After all, the tree won't decorate itself! And Larry is not the handiest when it comes to wrapping presents. So, we need all the time we can get around here.

Merry Christmas! 🎅  Happy Holidays! 🎄

40 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas, Madeline!
    I bet Mrs. Larry is better with those gifts.
    We will be handing out gifts to those less fortunate this weekend. And a movie marathon is in our plans!

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    1. Mrs. Larry's strength is in draping the garland on the tree - she's good at those low branches. :)

      We did something similar re handing out gifts, and when I get to feeling blue, I like to imagine those kids' faces when they open their presents.

      Merry Christmas to you and your family, Alex!

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  2. Merry Christmas, Madeline! I'm taking my blogging break between Christmas and New Year.

    I'd say hand Larry the vacuum cleaner, but mine isn't much better when it comes to housework. LOL.

    Hugs, sweetie! Have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. My husband and I actually split the housework, and he tends to do more of the yucky stuff, like the bathrooms. The tortoises aren't much help in that regard, but if we ever get one of those Roomba things, they might get on board - literally and figuratively. :)

      Merry Christmas to you and to your family! Enjoy your blogging break!

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  3. Merry Christmas, Madeline!

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  4. Perfectly said! Have a happy holiday, see you in the new year!

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  5. Happy holidays and enjoy your blogging break!

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  6. thanks for the positive post! this time of year is usually full of extremes - highs and lows, we definitely need to remember the good when a bad wave washes over us!

    and thanks for visiting my Cradle Rock release tour!

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    1. You're absolutely right re a season of extremes. I hope this post can help those who get hit with a bad wave.

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  7. Merry Christmas and enjoy your break! Larry, make sure she doesn't just lay around and neglect her responsibilities.

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    1. It's really Mrs. L who's in charge of all of us. :)

      Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  8. I hope you have a Merry Christmas :) looking forward to your return after the break!

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  9. With pets in the house and no company coming for Christmas this year, we took the easy way out and did not have a tree or decorate. Instead, we're taking the time to play a little Scrabble and Boggle and read books. A quiet Christmas can be a blessing.

    I hope you have a wonderful holiday break and enjoy every moment to the fullest, Madeline.

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    1. Your holiday sounds lovely! Ours will be quiet, too, with maybe a walk on the beach and a movie or two. :)

      Merry Christmas!

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  10. Merry Christmas to you, too, Madeline. And thanks for the warm and loving reminder of the true meaning of the season.

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    1. I think sometimes all the hoopla can make people feel blue for a number of reasons. Focusing on the positive, the good should hopefully help with that, at least a bit.

      Merry Christmas to you!

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  11. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas. We've found the simpler our Christmas holiday, the more we enjoy it. Fewer activities and more time at home works best for us.

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    1. Sounds good to me! :)

      I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday, Susan!

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  12. Merry Christmas Madeline! In the big picture of life, my problems are few and my blessings are many. Wishing you a restful and joy-filled holiday!

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  13. Merry Christmas, Madeline! I really feel for those who are lonely and depressed during the holidays. It's got to be so tough. :(

    All the best to you in 2017! See you on the other side.

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    1. And so much of the hoopla out there makes it worse, as if there's something wrong with you for not feeling joyful and having tons of friends and family around, etc. :(

      Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and an excellent New Year!

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  14. Yes Madeline, there is so much to be thankful for in life. I read somewhere that gratitude invites more abundance. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  15. Coming in late here, but I hope you have a fabulous break and a Merry Christmas!

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    1. It's never too late for good wishes! Thank you, and have a wonderful holiday yourself! :)

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  16. Merry Christmas, Madeline! I love your thoughtfulness in this post. I was so swamped between things that I erased a partially written post and just said "merry Christmas." Our tree is finally lit, as of the 21st, with an angel on top and we aren't sure if we'll get many of the other decorations up - it's been hectic, but the lights are my favorite part of decorating, so that works!

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    1. Whatever works for you and your family, Tyrean! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! :)

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  17. Wonderful message, thank you. I hope you have a great break and a Merry Christmas.

    And thank you for the book recommendations you've been making on GR!

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    1. You're welcome! I hope some of those recommendations make it onto your TBR list and that you enjoy them as much as I do. :)

      Have a wonderful holiday, Shannon!

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  18. I worry about sad souls this time of year as well. Best of the season to you and yours. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. Keeping them in our thoughts and prayers will help.

      Best of the season to you, too!

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