Why the Holidays Won't Make You Happy

By Cliff Kuhn, M.D.
The Laugh Doctor
"It all starts with a SMILE"

The holiday season is upon us. A time for joy. And a time when
joy can become a hard-to-meet expectation.

But before we discuss that, allow me to say: Merry Christmas to
you! Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, please accept my
seasonal wishes with good cheer and know that I wish you and
your family peace and love.

The reason I began this Fun Times with the thought about
hard-to-meet expectations alludes to the very real difficulties
many face during this season. It's well known that these months
can be some of the most challenging for many people. Lost loved
ones, shattered dreams, old traumas, and unrealized ideals can
conspire to depress us or worse.

Advertisers and marketers don't help either, by bombarding us
with iconic and idyllic images of what the holidays should be
like. While those images of happy families and friends gathered
in a state of pure joy and love are wonderful when we are able
to experience them, let's not lose sight that they also help
sell products. "You mean I, too, can be this full of holiday
cheer if I drink this soda?", I've been known to wonder while
watching television in December.

So if your holidays do not always resemble the soda
advertisements - you're normal just like the rest of us!

I don't want to bash the holidays, though. To the contrary,
although my Christmas seasons have rarely resembled a Norman
Rockwell illustration, I have almost always derived and
experienced great joy from them! By using my humor nature I
have been successful in keeping my expectations in check and
finding the inherent joy and love.

And I have a simple, two-part prescription for you this holiday
season, coming right from the pages of It All Starts with a
SMILE. Because it really does all start with a smile; your best
holiday is a smile away and I'll teach you how to access it
today.

1. Be the joy that you're looking for this holiday. Instead of
looking outward toward the decorations, the music, the
traditions, the parties, the gifts, etc., decide to be your own
source of love and happiness today. Take a moment and visualize
what your ideal holiday season should deliver to you - warmth,
togetherness, freedom, belonging, peace, love. Then decide,
right now, to feel that way! Put a smile on your face (even if
you have to "fake it until you make it") and decide that those
feelings will become your state of being this moment. Do not
look to outside sources for these feelings, then radiate them as
feels natural.

2. Make sure to take time for yourself each day. Whether you're
doing yoga, taking a walk, meditating, or simply spending some
time sitting in your favorite chair, make this time yours and
yours alone. No chores, no hustle, no bustle, no serving anyone
else; forget all about your responsibilities and the
expectations others have of you! Think of it as recharging your
batteries and do it each day.

Follow my prescription and you'll soon remember that happiness
and peace, during the holidays or otherwise, is an inside job. And
you're just the person for that job! I know you'll make
today the best you can.

Your Attention Please!

Become a happiness machine today! Announcing Dr. Kuhn’s
newest book, “It All Starts with a SMILE!” This is his
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(one for every week of the year) guaranteed to send
your health and success over the top. Go to http://www.natural-
humor-medicine.com/new-book.html to get a peek at the beautiful
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Read Our Featured Article

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Some Humor to Help You Smile

Steven Wright

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from
betting on people."

W.C. Fields

Please - do your friends a favor! Send them
this newsletter or tell them to sign up for it
themselves by going to "http://www.natural-
humor-medicine.com/Fun_times.html" Let's
spread the happiness virus together!

Cliff Kuhn, M.D.
The Laugh Doctor
7406 Wesboro Road
Louisville, KY 40242
"It all starts with a SMILE"