That Darn Norman Rockwell! By Pennie Hunt

Let me be clear. I love, love, love Norman Rockwell. He was a fascinating man and an amazing artist. I have even been to his studio in Massachusetts. When you see his work in person, you can’t help but have admiration and respect for his talent.

His holiday paintings that depict the perfect families, dressed perfectly, with perfect smiles, enjoying the perfect meals, with the perfect amount of Christmas snow, and… well, you get the picture. Everything is perfect. And darn it, those are the scenarios we all strive for. We want our holiday gatherings to be perfect.

The truth is, none of us have a Norman Rockwell holiday. Even if it looks like it from the outside, none of us have that kind of perfection in our lives. Behind the painting, everyone holds some kind of pain.

Every year around the holidays, I think of people who are no longer at my holiday table. I think of the gifts I would give them if they were. I think of the memories of holidays when they were with us. I see the empty chairs where they would be sitting.

I try to switch it to concentrate on the good memories. I am grateful for the years we had together. And I look at all the chairs that are filled with people who are with me now. I am grateful for them. I also mix in a story or two about those who have passed, to honor them and allow them to remain a part of the festivities.
​
So many times, we can become sad, depressed, or angry when the Norman Rockwell paintings that we strive for don’t turn out that way in real life. The best advice I can give is to switch your thoughts to gratitude.

Maybe you are missing loved ones who have passed. Maybe you are missing loved ones who were unable to travel to be with you this holiday. Maybe your budget means there aren’t as many gifts as you wanted to give under the tree. Maybe you or someone you love is struggling with health issues. Maybe the turkey is dry, and there isn’t the perfect amount of Christmas snow.

But maybe it can still be a joyful holiday. Turn your mind to gratitude for the things you do have in your life this holiday. Be grateful for the people you do have in your life. Be grateful for the meal you have, no matter how simple it may be.

If you can’t find anything to be grateful for, start with the shoes on your feet and the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you had for lunch. Start with the basic things in life. The hot water in your morning shower. As you go through your day, say out loud every little thing you can think of to be grateful for.

If you are alone this holiday, find someone else who is alone and spend the day together. Just like we can always find someone who is happier, wealthier, and more successful than we are, we can always find someone who is lonelier than we are. Donate your time to a shelter or a soup kitchen. When you help others, you will feel gratitude from them, and you will feel good about giving the gift of your time to those in need.

When you turn to being grateful for what you have, it becomes easier to fill your heart with love and joy for the day. Even if it is not a Norman Rockwell day.
                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                          Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                                      Not every holiday is Norman Rockwell perfect.
                                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

---

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2025 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness