SURVIVING HOLIDAYS:

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We read articles on how to enjoy the holidays, but many of us still can't
figure out how to get through the holiday season. We may not know
what a joyous holiday would look and feel like.

Many of us are torn between what we want to do on the holiday, and
what we feel we have to do. We may feel guilty because we don't want
to be with our families. We may feel a sense of loss because we don't
have the kind of family to be with that we want. Many of us, year after
year, walk into the same dining room on the same holiday, expecting
this year to be different. Then we leave, feeling let down, disappointed,
and confused by it all.

Many of us feel a great deal of relief when the holiday is ended.

One of the greatest gifts of recovery is learning that we are not alone.
There are probably as many of us in conflict during the holidays than
there are those who feel at peace. We're learning, how to take care of
ourselves a little better each holiday season.

Our first recovery task during the holidays is to accept ourselves, our
situation, and our feelings. We accept our guilt, anger, and sense of loss.

There is no right or perfect way to handle the holidays. Our strength
can be found in doing the best we can, one year at a time.