LIMBIC BRAIN

My child is crying I choose to use empathy Time for limbic brain.

REPTILIAN BRAIN

Doug holds me closely We kiss while dinner burns The reptilian brain.

CHOICES

Introvert heaven Thanksgiving alone at home Extraverts gather.

CONSTRUCTIVE DISCONTENT

Stressed, we have a fight Conflict resolution skills Will come in handy.

CREATIVITY

Oven is broken. Arnold must be creative. He will grill turkey.

EMOTION MANAGEMENT

Tablecloth is pink What’s wrong with this holiday? I manage my response.

TRUST RADIUS

On Thanksgiving Day I meet many new people Friends for future.

PERSONAL POWER

On this special day Good, bad or indifferent I choose to enjoy.

Gail had such a fulfilling experience that she found a small part-time job in addition to her regular job so that she could afford to buy presents for children at shelter for Christmas. She had such fun buying presents for children and watching their joyous little faces as they opened them on Christmas day! Gail felt anything but alone and lonely.

Gary was in a similar situation to Gail. He was single, had been an only child to parents who were no longer alive, and had no close relatives. His janitorial business did not give him much opportunity to make friends. Gary had spent many lonely holidays feeling isolated and depressed, and decided a few years ago to do something about it.

Gary loved animals. As a child, his dog had been his main connection with love. After some research, Gary discovered that there was a wonderful animal shelter within a half-hour of his home – a shelter that loved and cared for animals and didn’t euthanize them. Gary started to volunteer one day a week on weekends – cleaning, feeding, playing with puppies and kittens, helping to interview people who wanted to adopt a pet, and getting to know other volunteers. He found that he really connected with people who volunteered there. Many of them were loving people who were deeply devoted to caring for animals. As his friendships developed, he found he had a new sense of family centered around shelter. Thanksgiving and Christmas were now sometimes spent with other volunteers who did not have families, and sometimes with families of some of volunteers. Gary’s life had become full and fulfilling. The last I heard, he was dating a woman who also volunteered at animal shelter.

No matter what your life situation is, you can always share your love with others. Instead of feeling alone and lonely this holiday season, open your heart to giving. There are many people and animals out there who would welcome your love.