How to find Joy in the season

Well, here we are again. Another trip around the sun is nearing its end. With the realization that comes to many when the holiday season approaches – that time has once again passed too quickly – comes a little added stress and anxiety. How can it already be time to carve a turkey, shop for presents, lose those last ten pounds, and invite the inlaws to family gatherings again?

- Hollie Riena

Holidays are meant to be a joyful time of year, and the last thing anyone needs is to stress over food, weight loss, family feuds or anything else that creeps in to steal our joy and sanity. Here are two things you can do to help you find the joy this holiday season:

1. Dine out during the holidays. Many years ago I worked as a server at the Painted Pony Restaurant, the very restaurant which our happy (couple/family) is dining at in our cover photo. I was trying to earn money for a trip to England and every tip I received was welcomed, so when I was asked to take a shift on Thanksgiving Day, I readily accepted. I learned a few things as a server that day; one, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be, in fact, it was actually quite enjoyable; and two, the people who came to eat their meal that day were definitely not stressed out.