By David A. Larson

Is the holiday stress creeping into your life yet?

Feel the extra pull to add those additional special activities to your already busy schedule?

Worried about money, travel, shopping, or handling relatives during holiday gatherings? How do you keep your balance?

Here’s a few quickie tips to keep the jolly in your holly.

Join me in choosing one or more of these commitments to ensuring our own happy holidays!

Before getting out of bed, let’s start the morning deciding what we will enjoy in each day.

Let’s make choosing our attitude conscious, anticipating the opportunities that are about to come our way.

Let’s remember that even in the stressful times, we can remember we are loved, that we can make a difference for someone, or that smiling will make for an easier day.

Let’s identify what expectations we are carrying that others have put on us (say no to at least one of these), and which we choose for ourselves (say yes to these).

Let’s be as pro-active as possible, so that we can watch ourselves do the things we want.

Let’s be givers from the heart, not people-pleasers.

With each action we take, let’s do so with joy, whether it’s finishing the shopping, making the meal, wrapping the presents, listening to music, or watching the smiles on kids’ faces.

Even the clean-up, the changing of the diapers, or the washing of the dishes can be done with gratitude for what gifts these messes point to in our lives.

Let’s look for blessings everywhere. I’m going to make a game of it.

I’m taking time to write down as many blessings as I can identify throughout each day. I’m going to see how long of a list I can come up with by Dec. 31.

No time for this one, you say? Well, how many good feelings can you stand?

Let’s call a friend or two we haven’t spoken to in a while. Let’s let them know they’re loved.

We can limit our call to whatever time we have &045; 10 minutes if we must, or even one minute &045; they’ll get the message, even if you leave it on their voice mail.

Let’s remember that whatever challenge we face, we have survived worse. There is hope beyond what you have thought recently. No matter what has happened this year, we have the opportunity to see things new looking ahead.

Remember, any trial you face is bursting with learning opportunities. Look closely and deeply.

Let’s not let anyone’s poor attitude steal our joy. The disgruntled customer in the store, the relative who drinks too much again, someone cutting you off at the corner &045; we do not have to absorb their energy, nor do we have to generate our own negative response.

Let’s hold our own.

Let’s each decide to remain in charge of our feelings. None outside ourselves controls our reactions. We’ll choose wisely.

Let’s look for the good in everyone. When someone is grumpy or mean, we’ll remember it is because he or she hurting in some way and has not had the opportunities or support to see the bright side in this moment.

Finally, join me in letting in more love than last year. It’s all around you. Reach out for it, too.

Ask for help. Take some of that peace and joy you give to others and give a healthy dose to yourself!

(David A. Larson, M.S., C.P.C.C., psychologist and life coach, may be reached at the Institute For Wellness at 373-7913, or www.callthecoach.com.)