As every homemaker knows, the holidays and other special occasions generate a lot of stress for the weary homemaker. If you are not surfing internet through Charter Spectrum Internet This stress has been associated with begetting a range of illnesses like hypertension and asthma in afflicted patients, who are then counselled to take part in rigorous sporting and holistic exercises like periodic venting & meditation to reduce any semblances of psychological trauma attained.
The sources for this stress are many, and can range from family relations who may always seem to be looking for a fight (as a means to reduce their own nervous tension), to estranged friends who decide to come unannounced and literally ‘gatecrash’ important functions without any grace, to one’s own kids who might choose not to cooperate or play their part in the festivities being planned.
Oftentimes, there could be strained relations with one’s spouse, because of which hosting any event that includes his/her presence in the midst of the events orchestrated proves taxing enough to get your nickers in an unpleasant twist.
As a single working mom of two rowdy kids, I have faced virtually all of these issues quite regularly on an annual basis – come New Year’s Eve.
This time, however, I’ve decided to rise above other people’s expectations of me (which, I now know, can never be met).
I’ve learned that there will always be an Aunt Joe or Uncle Simmons who just can’t help grumbling and complaining about everything, or a best ‘friend’ Sally who pretends to comfort you in the living room (but is actually busy in taking notes about everything to do with your personal life, and collecting ammunition for spreading gossip elsewhere), or a college pal of your husbands who will not stop hitting on you behind closed doors.
Such, I now realize, is life…and there can be no correcting the things that are destined (by a higher power, I am increasingly wont to admit) to go awry. The serenity prayer, which is a favorite of many psychiatric & psychological practitioners, and which calls upon the divine virtues of acceptance, courage and wisdom (in order), made me come to this conclusion. And when things really seem to be taking a downturn for the worst – which is often the case these days – this supplication really helps me sort my jumbled emotions through.
I should mention here that anger arises as a corollary of my stress, and makes me want to lash out when I feel the world closing in on me. And when I get angry, I fear for the already beleaguered state of my existing relations – that hang, as they currently do, by a single line of thread. Any violent emotion or accusation risks snapping this connective fiber apart.
So this year, I have chosen not to stress about any of the cooking or decorations for the New Year’s Eve party that we customarily throw in our back yard every year. I’ll be following the advice I got from a Dr. Phil episode I recently saw (streamed through my trusty Spectrum Bundles (service), and will allow the guests to take care of themselves.
Bakery bought rotisserie chicken, after all, is as good (if not taste-wise better) as what is cooked in one’s home oven on any given day.
Why should I bother with the fuss of whipping it, or anything else, up myself?
