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.

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