Article By: Angel C
On the wonders of Christmas! Filled with brightly colored lights, candy canes, and Christmas music. It can be a wonderful time of year. From Thanksgiving to Christmas people are filled with gratitude and giving.
While holidays have a mostly positive message, for many people holidays are anything but positive. The stress of gift giving can hinder some of the holiday fun leaving some people just anxious for it all to be over! For others, though maybe the holidays remind you of how much money you don't have, or a reminder of a family member that is no longer here. It's no wonder why suicide is at its highest around this time of year. It's a painful reminder of what we don't have, whether they be material things or people. If any of these situations apply to you, my heart goes out to you, and I also want you to know that you are not alone.
For me personally, holidays can be hard, because many times I don't have much family to spend it with. I've spent many holidays alone. I didn't grow up celebrating holidays, so I don't have any traditions to really follow. Many times I've cried lonely tears around the holidays. Trust me I know the heartache this time of year can bring, but it is not without hope.
Helping others often helps us get through times of loneliness and minds off of our own problems. Find a volunteer group through a church or nonprofit and get involved. Help out a workmate, a classmate, or friend.
I can't tell you enough how much it has meant to me when people who know I don't have much family invite me over for the holidays. If you are able, ask around see who is spending the holidays alone and welcome them to your own holiday tradition. It'll mean something to them even if they decline.
I want to remind you that a gift doesn't necessarily mean you have to give out of pocket. It can be volunteering your time for people who have needs. If you have a talent of baking cookies, writing poems, doing hair, or nails etc whatever your talents are put them to use this holiday season.
“A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity,”
PSALM 68:5-6 AMP
If you're contemplating suicide, I encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
You matter and take this as a sign to not give up, and to remember that you are loved, valued, and precious not only to others but God as well. 
The holidays are filled with beautiful things, let's try to remember every year that this season of giving, goes deeper than just wrapping gifts, but it's also sharing the love and being a blessing to one another.
Be Blessed and Happy Holidays!!!
Angel C
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