Holidays, Stress, and a Positive Outlook

My favorite day of the year - December 26th. Christmas is over and I can de-stress and decompress and all that other stuff I need to do to settle my nerves. Santa was good to my kids yesterday, they all enjoyed their gifts and had a lot of fun. They even enjoyed the dinner they chose - mini-corndogs and French fries with Italian ices for dessert. Hey, I cooked big on Thanksgiving, I'm not doing it again on Christmas. It's just the kids and me so it doesn't really matter what we eat, right? Right.

I took my tree down an hour ago and replaced the table that I'd moved upstairs for the past month to make room for the tree. All decorations are put away and you'd never know Christmas was yesterday in my home. I really don't like the holiday, or any holidays for that matter - except New Year's Eve - but I think people think I'm kidding when I say it. I'm not kidding. I don't like holidays that dictate that I have to buy gifts for the people I love, especially since I buy gifts when I feel like it, all year 'round.

We all had a good day over here but I'm glad it's over and now I can concentrate on other things, like getting a more beneficial job. I love working with Ursula but the work is spotty and it doesn't pay my bills. I have an appointment with the Employment Council in a couple of weeks so maybe something will come of that but I'm not going to stress over it. I'm done stressing over anything because it's not worth my time and energy. The only thing I'm going to do it stay as positive as I can and imagine what my future is going to be like so the Universe will deliver it faster.

I already had a couple of good things happen today because I've calmed down from all the holiday drama so I'm going to do my best to focus on that positive feeling. New Year's Eve, my favorite holiday, is next week and I'm looking forward to it. I don't make resolutions and I don't go out to celebrate; I sit at home with the kids snacking and watching TV, and I can wipe this year clean and start fresh next year. 2014 promises to be a great year for me because I said so; and I'll make it happen - just watch me.

I'm not going to let other people's problems get in my way, either. I did that too much this year and it took too much of my time and energy. Whenever I stopped concentrating on their negative and focused on my positive the good began to flow again for me. I'm going to keep the good stuff flowing the best I can in this coming year. I've actually already started.

That creepy girl who's always begging for rides came to my door yesterday asking if she could talk to me. I flat out told her no and then she asked if she could borrow my lighter. I lent it to her, got it back, and closed the door on her. Paul told me yesterday that he and his girlfriend are officially moving in together next week, they rented a place together, and I don't care. Their drama is due to start as soon as he feels comfortable and I'm staying out of it completely this time. I was pulled into the middle of it more than I liked this year but that stops, too. He's on his own.

I've started speaking my mind to people lately, too, rather than worrying about whether or not they would get upset with me. I've done it with Paul, with that car-ride girl, with my nephew, and a few other people. My friend Sylvia told me the other day that she doesn't know what I did with the old Beth but she really likes the moxie of this new Beth. I have to agree. I feel so much better knowing that I'm in control of me and my life and that I don't have to let others intrude on me.

As Esther Hicks says, "Do what feels better," and that's what's happening with me. I'm doing and saying what feels better for me, for my kids, and for our lives and anyone who doesn't like it can kick rocks. If all you're going to do is try to bring me down I don't need you, I don't want you, and I have no problem pushing you away. If you don't believe me, just give it a shot. I promise you I'll win.

Until next time... peace to all.