Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 2008
from David Greenwalt
Written Christmas Eve 2008
The quick and easy would be just for me to say “Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!” and move on with my day. I thought, for this unprecedented year I’d get down and dirty, keep it real, and still keep, in the end, the sanity of hope alive.
I’ve noticed for WEEKS now as I’ve driven through our little town of 15,000 people and elsewhere that the Christmas lights are fewer–the streets are darker at night. Normally in our town the festivity this time of year is palpable and blindingly obvious–but not this year. Have you noticed this in your neighborhood too? I’ll bet a lot of you have.
Be there no mistake everyone–we are ALL in this economical crisis together. And I’m going to go ahead and leave the word “all” in there knowing that five percent of anyone who might ever read this aren’t really impacted by the recession/depression we are living right now. I’m okay with being “wrong” that five percent.
For everyone else? If things feel a bit scary right now? Welcome–and you’re normal–and MOST are scared right now. If you feel a sense of hopelessness? Welcome–you’re normal–and MOST are feeling some level of hopelessness for any number of reasons right now. If you’re not sure if you’re going to be able to keep your (home, car, 401k, health insurance, premium cable, etc.)? Welcome, you’re normal–and MOST are feeling some worry over what they may not be keeping in the next few weeks, months or year. Has doubt ever entered your head, even for a flash of a second, about whether you REALLY want to remain a part of this earthly world? Welcome–you are normal–and MOST people have thoughts like these at one time or another–especially in times like these.
Are you starting to feel me on this? Are we in this together? You bet we are.
In my years of learning, coaching, mentoring and living I’ve come to know a truth about we humans and that is every single person you pass on the street is struggling with something in their life. It doesn’t matter what their smile looks like or what they’re driving or what clothes they wear or who they’re married to or not or how much money they have. Every single person is struggling with something. In such a time as we are living right now the struggles have exponentially increased.
Your closest friends or relatives may or may not talk to you about where their financial struggles exist. There is a feeling of “being the only one REALLY struggling” until you talk to enough people openly and honestly about what’s REALLY going on in yours and their worlds. I want you to know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that you are NOT alone. Again, we are ALL in this together.
Lift your head a bit higher, let the tears flow if need be, but grit your teeth and allow a sense of pride for simply continuing your journey in the short time we all have here on Earth. What’s that? Well let me just say it more directly. Maintain or gain a sense of pride for keeping yourself alive–for NOT unplugging yourself from life. Is that clear enough? But why allow a sense of pride for simply making the choice to live? Because, as history partially repeats itself when we consider the 1929 depression, there will be an increase in suicides in the coming year, two or three. Those people will have chosen NOT to stand and fight. As you do choose to stand, fight and even, as you can, celebrate life? It’s worth feeling pride over. And, if you think about it, you are only here because your Mother/Father or Grandmother/Grandfather stood and fought during the decade-long 1929 depression and they stood long enough to conceive you. They were fighters. And you’ve got some of that DNA inside you–this is good.
Can we allow ourselves to feel some pride for “doing our thing?” What THING is that? Whatever it is you do the most. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home Mom, one of the greatest roles a human can play and one of the least admired and appreciated. If you’re still getting out of bed and being a Mom? It’s worth feeling some pride over. And to all my Moms out there? Remember to give yourself a hug and pat on the back and some time to yourself because no one is going to give it to you. 
Maybe you are the primary breadwinner and there just hasn’t been that much bread to be won lately. For getting out of bed and doing that thing you do–I say congratulations, well done and I hope you’ll feel a sense of pride for simply continuing to do it. Not everyone will.
Regardless of whatever it is you do day in and day out or how you contribute to your “pod” and the world let’s feel some pride over simply continuing to contribute.
Feeling some appreciation and pride at the most basic levels for the most basic things is going to be necessary to continue on productively. And it might simply be necessary to appreciate and feel pride over the basics to continue on. Now more than ever it’s important to be grateful and to feel grateful for the smallest of things.
If the wolves are persistently at your door. If you are upside down in your home. If you have too much month and not enough cash all too often. Yes, it’s time to get advice from family, close friends and, of course, experts in the area of financial planning and/or debt management. Keep in mind that the universal laws of attraction are working whether you’re aware of them or not–regardless of what you call them. Be solution focused. Focus on what you want–not on what you don’t want. And for God’s sake remember that the opposite of a negative is not a positive. “I don’t want to go broke and lose my home” is not the same as saying “I want to be financially secure and keep my home.”
Be mostly positive. Many people are afraid to be the “Pollyanna” where we play the Glad Game and try and find something to be glad about in any situation. The reason I say be mostly positive is our subconscious loves authenticity and if we try and be nothing BUT positive our subconscious will soon kick back a “Ya right, get real dummy — things are not THAT great.” So be mostly positive in your thoughts, words and actions yet allow the reality of the negative to be present (and here is a key) without so much catastrophic thinking surrounding it.
Are you “broke” or are things just really tight? Broke is pretty catastrophic. Tight is several notches lower. Bring it down a notch or two or three. It’s easy to be and go negative–we are naturally wired to be that way. Natural isn’t always best. Allow a “diffused” level of negativity to exist WHILE you work to stay mostly positive focusing on what you want and being solution oriented.
:: More positive than negative (tough to do but can be done)
:: De-catastrophize the negativity (diffuse it to a lower level that’s more likely real)
:: Focus on what you want not on what you don’t want
:: Solution focused rather than problem focused
Okay, sorry for the long-windedness of what this 2008 holiday message has become. As a teacher it’s hard not to teach. But, be there no mistake, as I teach and mentor others I continue to re-enforce principles for myself as well.
Here is a little postcard with an audio message from me including a little positive affirmation statement I reflect on and listen to when I, personally, am feeling at my wits end and things feel simply beyond comprehension and out of control.
http://www.leannesslifestyle.com/postcard/?pcid=icanhandleit
As the title of the postcard says—You can handle this period in your life. We all can. We’ll get through it. Opportunities DO exist for each of us even in these most difficult of times. There is much to be grateful for even during this financial recession.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
With heartfelt concern, appreciation and warmth,
David Greenwalt
P.S.: You might find one or more of these books helpful to you. If any of them speak to you directly I cannot encourage you enough to get one or more in print or audio or both. In no particular order…off the top of my head…
Crazy Busy by Hallowell
http://tinyurl.com/823uf6
Margin by Dr. Swenson
http://tinyurl.com/a5q2c9
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
http://tinyurl.com/8am4aa
Mans Search for Meaning by Frankl
http://tinyurl.com/ax52xf
Crunch Point by Brian Tracy
http://tinyurl.com/8ejk3x
Reposition Yourself by Jakes
http://tinyurl.com/a5rtz7
Over the Top by Ziglar
http://tinyurl.com/7ygmwz
Total Money Makeover by Ramsey
http://tinyurl.com/9egj8u