why we get depressed for the holidays

Mental health care providers rejoice at the holiday season because depression and negative feelings seem to overwhelm us during this time. The reasons are well known, money issues, memories of unpleasantness in childhood at this time (we didn't fall far from the tree, did we?), lack of sunlight, feelings of isolation and being unloved. The solution to all of this nonsense is to realize what is really happening. First of all, the end of the year is the time of death and rebirth of the world. Have you ever died and were reborn in the same lifetime? I have, and I can assure you IT HURTS! So every year we go through the symbolic death and rebirth, and if we don't know what is happening, it can get pretty scary! This is the time of year to let go of all that happened in our lives that does not serve us. It is a time to let go of guilt and shame, blame and melodrama. To renew our commitments to ourselves, to others and to our gods. The universe did not set up this pattern for us to get depressed and angry at ourselves for not being enough. This pattern was set up so that we could sever the ties to negativity and self judgment at least once a year. Think of it, the whole world goes dormant just to remind us to let go! Ironically, it is a time of year for us to remember that we are not alone on this planet. There have been times that darkness and the cold forced us to huddle together, to be part of, to share what food we have and body heat. So this is a great time to be reminded of that, and to share our time, resources and talents for the sake of others. Finally, the negative feelings that some of us experience during this time are simply the negative feelings we have stuffed into our being rather than dealing with them coming out to be healed. When we feel depressed, angry, ashamed, less than, etc. rejoice, because all of these healings are coming out to be released and we can be reborn. So when you feel depressed, scream "hallelujah!".

And have a wonder-filled holiday season.