POLLYANNA CURES S.A.D

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Every time an old Disney Film comes to television, I just have to watch it. One of my favorites is "Pollyanna."(with Hayley Mills) I love how she raises the spirit of the whole town and as much as they fight her, they all turn around and begin to give in to her "glad game." The glad game is similar to what the Law of Attraction teaches us about being grateful for what we have. Getting up every day and before going to bed every night, saying "ALOUD" what you are grateful for. I know it seems silly but if you try it you will see a difference in your life. something so simple, but so powerful.

It seems so many people around me are suffering from "Seasonal Affective Disorder." (SAD) To put it mildly and easy to understand, it can be referred to as "cabin fever." People begin to eat more when the days are shorter, the darkness longer, and the temperature drops. There is a normal reaction to these seasonal changes, but to some they make life so much more debilitating. It is harder for those that suffer from SAD to get through the days from Fall to Winter. One suffering from SAD looks everyday... for signs of spring in the hope that his/her day will come about without this huge effort to move through it. Looking forward to only a simple sign of sunshine and weather that is not unbearable...allowing them to get out, and take in some sun (vitamin D). There are lamps, light bulbs, and light boxes that help to alleviate the symptoms of SAD, but most suffer in silence not recognizing that they even suffer from this disorder.

If you know someone is suffering from SAD, you could entertain the idea of taking them out for the day by making it easier for them to get out and finding something irresistible to do, making them push through the sadness to partake of the "irresistible." Giving in to SAD can seriously debilitate them. Most are in denial because the stigma attached to mental disorders is still so common, but it is time to open the windows and let the sun in to help our family and friends through the winter and also in the hope that, if they do suffer, this will help to make their days easier.

You can find a list of the symptoms at MayoClinic.Com, and there are also some suggestions on how to help others get through the day. If you are feeling the winter blues, helping another can only "by default" also help you. Doing for another, for the sake of doing for them, can only, without thought of yourself...help you, so get out for some sun and take a friend, too.