For many years I believed that December was the month that listed
the highest number of suicides. Recent research is challenging that belief.
Researchers now say that there are no more suicides in December than in
any other month of the year. Researchers have found that during the
month of December people feel more deeply, than any other months.
In other words, those who are in love report that they feel love more
deeply. Those who are generous in nature are even more generous than
usual. The research reports that likewise, if individuals are suffering from a
loss, he may feel more alone. If an individual suffers from anxiety the
feeling of anxiety will be more intense as well.
Being aware and forewarned can help us sidestep explosive episodes
with our teens; prevent destructive patterns of communication from
ruining the holiday season; and we may even be able to build stronger
relationships with our teens. This month presents opportunities for a lot of
good, and a lot of bad. What’s good in our lives could become better, and
what’s bad could become worse.
Enjoying the holiday season takes mental preparation. So brace
yourself for the intense feelings that come in December, and enjoy them as
much as possible.

Everybody loves “Black Friday.” This is a day of festivity and joy. Many
families make this shopping day a part of their family’s tradition. The masses are
out on a mission to start shopping for Christmas. One holiday doesn’t get twenty
four hours of glory before the next holiday abruptly interrupts its existence.

So it is in life in general. We barely get to enjoy our teens first year of high
school, before the year is up, and we’re faced with the next school year. One
milestone after another is piled up on us and before we know it we are
celebrating their graduation from high school.

Just like “Black Friday” we gather our family and friends and we get
together and enjoy the day. But the graduation is over before we know it. Then
we’re gathering ourselves together to get them prepared for college. Just as this
holiday passes on into history, so will this life stage called “teenager.” It seems as
if it is a long time, and they will be teens forever. This stage will pass, and sooner
than you believe.

So as this holiday and this life stage pass on into the halls of family history,
let’s remember to take many pictures. Let’s laugh with our teen, and smile. Let’s
give plenty of hugs to our teens and everybody else in the family, and most
importantly let’s pray together, a lot.

It’s easy to complain. It’s easy to look around and see all the bad there is in
the world. The crime, the violence in relationships, the inequity of our justice
system, the crooks in politics, the homeless, the jobless, the sick and disabled. Yes
there are many things we can complain about. If we’re not careful, these
problems will overwhelm us. These problems can become the primary focus of
our existence, and consume our lives.

On the other hand we could sit down and think about the good that is in
our lives. We can think about our family (even our teens) and all of the blessings
they bring us. We can contemplate our friends, health, jobs, possessions, and
most importantly our relationship with God.

This month let’s start the day focusing on the good that is in our lives. We
can shut the door, just for a few moments, to the nagging voices of problems and
disappointments. Let’s ignore the aggravations that start instantly when we open
our eyes, in the morning. Throughout the day we can focus on helping others,
saying kind words to others, and being joyful.

When we return home to our families, let’s not look at the disorderliness of
our homes and all the chores we have to get done. Let’s put a smile on our faces
and see the good in those around us, the kind acts they do for us, and even more
importantly, the kind acts we can do for them. Then let’s whisper this quiet
prayer, “Thank you Jesus.”