Does "advice" ever really help? If so, here comes some of the best I ever heard about holidays & how to deal with them.

   Thanksgiving. What does your inner voice instruct? "Be thankful. By glad. Be grateful whether you  feel it or not. Everybody BETTER have fun! It's a holiday!"

   Midway through any break how many times have you heard: "Enjoy. This is a vacation!"

   Afterwards, others will ask, "How was your Thanksgiving?" You will say, "Fine" whether it was or not.

   But, most holidays bring as much disappointment as celebration. The reason? Expectations soar so high they are hard to match.

   Thus the advice. Want to have a successful holiday? Lower expectations.

   By definition, vacations depart from hard work. According to the experts changing routines increases irritability for some. The chance something will go wrong rises by 15 to 20%. Instead of understanding this we get mad. Then comes recrimination & the inevitable guilt trip: "How could you do that? This is Thanksgiving!" 

   Cut expectations & increase the chance of success. Lower the pressure & raise the likelihood of a joyful holiday. Afterwards you will truly be thankful.  

-Erie Chapman