Are You Happy?
ByWhat is the holiday season all about? Is it about receiving presents or is it about giving presents? Are you happiest when you are giving or receiving? What was your greatest gift to another person? What was the greatest gift you ever received? Do you still have that gift?
Each time you answered the above questions, you experienced some feelings. Many people have difficulty describing their feelings. Often they are afraid to be honest about their feelings because it makes them uncomfortable. Feelings are neither good or bad. They just “are.” During the holiday season we are exposed to all kinds of feelings. Some of those feelings are sadness, loneliness, happiness, and love.
Mary Tenoever, a graduate of our Self-Esteem Program, told me about a children’s book called, Feelings by Barbara Kay Polland. There are pictures of a frustrated child, a happy baby, a frightened little girl, and many others. Let’s look at the feelings of sadness. When do you feel sad? How do you show that you feel sad? Do people close to you feel sad? As you read the following words how do you feel?
Downcast
Glum
Grieved
Dejected
Depressed
Look in a mirror. Does your face show sadness? How do you release sadness?
Another feeling during the holiday season is loneliness. Do you ever feel lonely? Are you lonely when you are by yourself? Are you ever lonely at a party or in crowded places? Can you describe feelings of loneliness? Depression, fright, shyness, boredom, and withdrawal are words identified with loneliness. What do you do to stop feeling lonely?
Now, what about the feeling of happiness? Complete these sentences:
1. I am happy when…..
2. I show my happiness by…..
3. Other people are happy when…..
4. My happiest moments are…..
5. The happiest person I know is…..
Look at yourself in the mirror. Smile and look and feel happy.
Finally, how do you identify the feeling of love? Complete these sentences:
1. I love it when I…..
2. I love it when people…..
3. I show my love for people when…..
4. I describe love as…..
My definition of love is T.U.L. (Total Unconditional Love).
As you experience the holiday season and other times of the year invest in feelings of T.U.L. for yourself and everyone you meet. Start a feelings journal now and begin describing your feelings daily and then, watch what happens!
