Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thoughtful Thursday

At this time of year most people are busy rushing around buying presents, organizing parties and dinners and generally loving the excitement in the air. But there also many many people who find this one of the saddest and most depressing times of the year. The reasons for this are many but here are a few of the main ones.
  • Finances. Not enough money or the fear of not having enough to buy gifts leads to sadness and guilt. The stress of financial hardship during this economic downturn is often compounded by shame. When you can’t afford to celebrate, it can feel devastating.
  • Stress. For example, there is the stress of shopping and planning family dinners when you’re already overworked and tired.
  • Loneliness. A whopping 43 percent of Americans are single, and 27 percent of Americans live alone. When others are with their families, it can be very painful for those who are alone. Seventeen percent of singles are over 65, when health, age, and mobility can make it more difficult to enjoy yourself.
  • Grief. Missing a deceased loved one. Seniors have more reasons to grieve.
  • Estrangement. When you’re not speaking to a relative, family get-togethers can usher in feelings of sadness, guilt, resentment, or inner conflict about whether to communicate.
  • Divorce. If you’re newly divorced, the holidays may remind you of happier times and accentuate your grief. It’s especially difficult for adult children of divorce who have to balance seeing two sets of parents. The stress is multiplied for married children who have three or even four sets of parents to visit.
  • Pleasing. Trying to please all of your relatives – deciding what to get, whom to see, and what to do – can make you feel guilty, which leads to depression.
  • SAD. Many people experience the blues during gloomy weather due to decreased sunlight, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
So what can we do to help - we doggies are often one of the most comforting things for those who are lonely. The magic of a simple doggie cuddle is beyond compare. Helping  to serve Christmas dinners to those less fortunate can be a great help or delivering toys to children in care. Putting together a box of goodies for your local humane society can bring smiles and happy tail wags.

But the most important thing we can all do - it to take a few minutes out of our day and think about the people we know who are lonely or sad -  a simple card, email or phone call can make all the difference to them and cost nothing more than a few moments of your time.

28 comments:

  1. Very wise and thoughtful words you Guys. And a very timely reminder!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  2. Thank you for this post, I imagine each of us found ourselves in those words at one time in our lives, and I know our pugs help me find laughter and love through my friends here in blogville....Merry Christmas...deb

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  3. that was a wonderful post. and I agree so much with you... I sometimes think, what I would do when I would be alone during the holidays... and only my sorrows would be there. I think a smile or a invitation for tea or to spend some time together can help a little too.
    Easy Rider

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  4. A good reminder guys, well said.
    xxx

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  5. Makes you wonder why we even have Christmas!
    Dip and Elliot x

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  6. So right and so many of our Christmas past have been about looking after others specially those who are elderly or ill. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  7. Very thoughtful post guys. I know that part of my role this Christmas will be to entertain Gail and Human Granny, and to try to make sure they aren't feeling too sad about Human Grandad not being around any more.
    All the best,
    Bertie.

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  8. This is a wonderful post. You are so right - a few kind words or a simple card can mean so much
    hugs
    Mr Bailey & Hazel

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  9. What a wonderful post. This is very true, especially as folks get older.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

    Pee Ess - A new POTP page will be announced tomorrow. You can follow us at http://blogvillepotp.blogspot.com/

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  10. OH what a BEAUTIFUL Post.... Sigh... it reminds us that the most impawtant thingy of all... is giving of YOURSELF.

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  11. Thank you for the reminder of those who may find this time hard. I grew up in a house with an "open door policy" at all holidays and we always ended up with an eclectic mix of those who may have been alone at the holidays. I have done my best as an adult to make sure those I know (even if not too well), have had a place to spend the holidays.

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  12. Yep I have been Lees go to dog giving her all the love I have since she got home. Our home might not look to much like Christmas this year because Lee could not get our tree up, but we got Christmas in our hearts.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot
    psss ~ we snuggle in the fleece blanket you sent us last year.

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  13. I actually prefer to spend Christmas by myself, well, with Blueberry too, of course! I never feel alone - since Christmas is all about Jesus and I know He's with me! Plus it's a great day for me and Blueberry to get out and hike and have a nice little dinner later on at home.

    Great suggestions for helping out others to take the focus off of us and our circumstances. Giving really is better than receiving! :)

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  14. WOnderful post. It is the truth! Christmas is a very difficult time of year for so many people. Our school's suspension rates go thru the roof this time of year, with so many kids acting out. Makes me sad for them.

    The most joy I've had all season was when I donated a train set to our adopt a family at school. The coordinator told me I had just made an eight year old boy very, very happy. I think I was even happier than he will be.

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  15. Just saw your Wordless Wednesday Post....that really made all of us smile, after yesterdays loss we just didn't get around to commenting.

    Thats the greatest picture to skae the blues away!

    The Mad Scots

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  16. thanks so much for this post my furiends. Finances have been a huge problem for us recently and I thank you for mentioning this (((hugs)))

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  17. You are absolutely right, Reilly and Denny. This is a wonderful and very thoughtful post!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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  18. Many of those lonely folks are the best at hiding their sadness too! Always think of others, that is what I'm supposed to do according to the Mom.

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  19. Thank you for this message.


    xo Cinnamon

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  20. What a lovely post and very true. My assistant always gets down and stressed around the holidays so we definitely understand.

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  21. That is a beautiful post. You are so thoughtful and it is all very true. This will be a hard Christmas for my family. I will be there by Mommys side and she will snuggle with me. I will help her.


    Loveys Sasha

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  22. Very true words! I don't know how people without pets get through the holidays, truth be told. Every year, we tell ourselves that we'll just go away during the holidays, but we never do!

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  23. Crikey ..... that was beautifully said. It can be a wonderful time of year but for some it is just way to tough, aye?? If Mum knows of anyone who is going to be alone on Christmas Day they always get an invite to our place. Sometimes they don't accept but when they do they ALWAYS have a good day.

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  24. Thank you for wonderful post and reminder!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  25. Thank you Reilly and Denny you two are truely amazing

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  26. Right you are! Bring those doggies and kitties to nursing homes to visit with people there too. It's magical to see the good response!

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Thank you for woofing at us - we read each and every one of them