Be at peace with ourselves and others

DEAR EDITOR:

The Christmas season is usually a joyful time, providing a sense of anticipation.

But this year life has taken a different path. To say the least. Since March, we have seen suicide rates, divorces, drug overdoses, and mental health issues surge. Many have been separated from family and friends around the world.

So do I see the human race as very happy right now? Do I sense joy and anticipation? No. Instead I find people have become so fearful, miserable and anxious that it is clouding their ability to reason. And once started on a course of fear it is very hard to steer people off it. Self-preservation is human nature.

Despite the continual and controversial restrictions on us, I believe this Christmas we should focus more on learning to be at peace with ourselves and others, and finding some happiness.

It might simply be remembering the sense of accomplishment at having finished a long and difficult project,or the exhilaration felt when listening to certain pieces of music.

Studies have shown that being happy or joyful boosts our immune systems and fights stress. So, shouldn't we start learning to appreciate all the wonderful people and things in our lives instead of being self-centred and paralyzed with fear.

Shouldn't this Christmas be about grasping the moments of each day and using them to find that peace, joy and happiness? The challenge is to find ways of responding to difficulties without surrendering our peace and joy. Both these emotions make life worth living in the moment and it resonates with who we are as people and as communities.

I don't know what anyone is facing but from my perspective you cannot be any happier today than you were yesterday unless you do something different, or at least in a different manner, with a different state of mind. People want to flourish and thrive. I know I do. Life is full of possibilities. Mary-Anne MacDonald

Summerland