Happy Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for?  Happy holidays.  How come they cause so much unhappiness, despair, and depression? Why is that? What is this all about.

Life is moving at such a rapid pace that we lose track of why we do or celebrate certain things. We forget the significance. The media reminds us of these special times and repeats over and over their message of the proper way celebrate these times.

Am I really off base here?  Let’s review real life actions such as shopping.  How does rushing around, rudely cutting people off, grabbing stuff away from others because they want it show love, kindness, and gratitude? The Holiday Spirit? Actions speak louder than words.  Just saying the right holiday greeting while acting in selfishness  and self gratification, cutthroat business deals, and gift giving (bribery) to show your love causes a major conflict in your head.  Eventually it will cause mental anxiety causing displays of unhappiness, depression, despair, and stress.

It does not stop there. Studies show that mental anxiety can manifest itself into physical sickness and disease.  Stress is a study in itself, but it is linked to illness and disease.  What is stress?

Everyone can tell you about stress but it is rare that anyone will give you a precise definition. I won’t give you the precise definition as each of you are able to look it up in a dictionary.  I recommend that you do so as it may be enlightening.  Instead, I will give you an idea for you to consider. In a sense it will be my slant on a definition for stress.  Consider the conflict that goes on with what you say verses what you do, your actions.  Is the difference between the two stress? What about the conflicts that result when you compromise one of your base beliefs for business gains; is that stress?  How about when you are “politically correct” where you say and act oppositely to how you think and feel?

I could go on with other examples, but I think that if you are still with me you understand.  Consider your own stresses, I mean conflicts.

Take a few moments to consider why and how you observe certain holidays.  Also consider your inward thoughts and desires along side your outward words and actions.  Is the celebration and method of celebration preparation appropriate for the observation?  Is the true you in conflict with the you that you try to present to the world?  Does this reveal stress in your life?  What is it all about?  The answer is with you, based on your core values.  There is not right or wrong unless you compromise your cores.

By the way, the real you will manifest itself to the world or suppression will cause tremendous stress.  How is your stress?