Gloom means darkness or dimness or melancholy or depression. December is the darkest month of the year. Our half of the planet (the Northern Hemisphere) is tipped away from the sun. The days are short; darkness comes early. By nature, Christmas time is gloomy.

Therefore, we make light. We string up extra lights around the house. We have parties. We give each other presents. We remember spiritually uplifting events. We send each other cheerful cards, often with pictures of healthy children. We make merry, to dispel the gloom.

Christmas has gained such a reputation for being merry that some people expect to be happier on Christmas than they would be at the beach on the Forth of July. That's expecting too much.

Holiday cheer is not something that appears in the air by itself. It is the responsibility of adults to create cheer and light, to challenge the gloom.

From Christmas Day to Valentine's Day, your loved ones, neighbors, roommates, and employer are more likely to loose their tempers than at any other time. During this period, you would be wise to downgrade any thoughts you might have about divorce, dis-inheritance, suicide, lawsuits, moving out, or quitting your job. People, including you, are more cranky than in the warmer months. Forgive yourself and others--it's only the weather.

Beach House in Nicaragua

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