I hope this thread finds everyone well. I myself have been pretty stressed lately. I love this time of year with snow and cold and shorter days, but it also represents a really stressful time of year for me. Growing up, the holidays, and particularly Christmas, always meant a lot of fighting in my family and that feeling of anxiety tied to the holidays doesn't ever really go away. I've just learned to create new memories and traditions.

I've been thinking about this a lot as I ponder what next year will be like being our baby's first Christmas, and I so yearn for things to be different for him or her growing up. I don't want my child/children to grow up in a dysfunctional, closed-communication family where they are forced to develop coping mechanisms for life like I did with my lying. I wonder if lying is an addiction that is passed down through family members, and then I think about my Dad and his tendency's to embellish and more or less lie, although not in the same way I do, and it scares me to death. I know I have the power to change the cycle of all these things by consciously being honest, even if honesty hurts, and just living in the moment instead of fearing the future.

Today I'm trying to remember my recovery behaviors I've learned when I start to think about holiday stress. And I just thought I'd share this for both myself and everyone to remember all we've learned in our recovery. It's so important this time of year as we get together with loved ones and family members who can sooo easily trigger our past behaviors and responses when it comes to our lying addictions. Remember to stay strong and breath. Rattle off the Serenity Prayer in your head, step out for a fresh breath of winter air, go for a walk, or listen to some music.

Let's vow this Christmas/Holiday season to not let lying affect our joy and happiness and progress towards getting better. Happy holidays to everyone and be safe and full of peace!

Laura O.