By Megan Libby — Coordinator for Counseling and Student Services Brockton Hospital School of Nursing It’s that time of year again – a time when we are so busy trying to be joyful that we forget to feel joy. According to the American Psychological Association, 35 percent of people report that their stress increases around … More Don’t Forget the Joy
By: Sandy Churchill Deck the Halls, Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, Breath of Heaven, Grown-up Christmas List… Whatever your taste in music for Christmas, Hanukkah, and throughout the winter season, there can be an undeniable spirit lift in music. An extra boost happens magically when we sing along. I cannot count how many times a dreary … More The Joy of Singing
By: Sandy Churchill As a type-A, anxiety-prone, over-the-top celebrator who embraces FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) like a mantra, I need my calm friends and family to keep me grounded. My partner in crime is a type-B, go-with-the-flow, even-keel spouse who rides the middle of the emotional highway without much veering into the highs and lows of my … More Setting Lower Expectations for Holiday Peace
By: Cheryl Maguire *Please note: The story below is based on last year’s holiday season. While celebrating this year is much different, I hope to provide a reminder of the joy of family, and hopefully a glimpse of future holiday seasons. “Can we please host Thanksgiving dinner?” This is how I wanted to respond to … More A Holiday Humor Story
By: Heather O’Neill Last month I wrote about how we shared the magic of Santa with my oldest son who was 10 at the time. When he 9, in the 4th grade, there seemed to be lots and lots of questions and I had the sense that this was going to be the last year … More Santa Scavenger Hunt
By: Sandy Churchill This year’s Thanksgiving has turned the page, Christmas songs are on the radio, and stores are bedecked in their finest of crimson, silver, and gold. Many of us are in the throes of Christmas shopping and searching for gifts for loved ones near and far, be it online shopping or frenzied treks … More The One Gift Everyone Should Give This Christmas
By: Heather O’Neill My 10-year-old son was in 5th grade, and still carried the magic of Christmas with him. I knew that his friends were questioning. There seemed to be lots of chatter during 4th grade—the last year of elementary school. He had so many questions and wanted factual responses from me. He was adamant … More How My 5th-Grader Became a Santa
By: Cheryl Maguire On Christmas Eve, I sat alone on a bench, in the middle of a crowded mall. My husband, Bob, and our daughters, age 12 and 9, roamed the shops in an attempt to find me the perfect Christmas gift, even though I told them not to. Bob’s anxiety surrounding this situation caused … More The Gift
We hope you an your family have a holiday season full of joy, love, health, and blessings. Cheryl: My favorite holiday tradition is to sing Christmas Carols with my neighbors at a nursing home. We have been doing it for the past eight years. Deirdre: Our favorite tradition is simply decorating the tree. We have … More Happy Holiday Traditions
By: Lauren Tankle We are in the home stretch of the Christmas season with one weekend left to get everything together. I was putting together some of the presents I’ll need for Christmas this week in an attempt to be less of a procrastinator than usual andavoid shopping this weekend. It’s only taken me … More Last Minute Gift Ideas
Community Voices for Health 