As we have entered the most celebrated holiday season of all, I thought I’d take a break from the usual RV talk before Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. No matter what you celebrate, no matter what your faith or religion, let’s hit the pause button and do a little reflection of 2020. So grab a stiff drink of the holiday cheer of your choice and and off we go…

What is your happy place? You know, the one that everyone tells you to go to when you’re full of stress, fear, and anxiety. How many times have you been to your happy place in 2020? This has been a year to remember, and mostly for no good reasons, but if you’re reading this, you have survived thus far. Congratulations, as this is one of the most profound years of crises Americans have had to face in our lifetimes.

I have missed my Mother and Father (both deceased since 2006 & 2016, respectively) more this year than ever before, yet almost relieved, that they did not live to see 2020. I think of my family up North on a daily basis. I miss seeing friends and hanging out with them over food and cocktails. I miss the normalcy of getting in a car to go anywhere without the word “mask” in my to go list. I despise wearing a mask, yet I do it anywhere in public I go in hopes of protecting you and myself. I’m not preaching, just stating the facts.

I miss turning on the news and actually hearing about events that took place, both good and bad, for the day. How long has it been since you tuned into a news broadcast that isn’t primarily about death and politics? You know when someone tells you the two things you can’t escape in life is “death & taxes,” and you just look at them like “oh, yeah, thank you for that!” But you don’t want to hear it like a bad dream that reoccurs over and over again! This year will go down in history as one of the most depressing years ever, and I am sure we will hear astounding numbers and statistics as we approach 2021. By the way, 2021 will not start out much better, because we have so much fun to look forward to with an inauguration of precedence, a vaccine that won’t be available to the mass majority until spring/summer, and 74 million people that will continue to dwell on politics. Perhaps we all need another cocktail before I move on to the positive side of things, because there is a positive side…sooooo

If I have just described how some of you feel, you are certainly not alone. This year’s been a Debbie Downer! But, we have to move past this, ALL OF IT, before we can start a healthier New Year. So why not start right here and right now with this holiday season?

Let’s focus on the fact that you are alive as you are reading this because, by now, many of us have lost loved ones or know of someone who has. So start by celebrating that you are alive every single day that your feet hit the ground. Never take it for granted. Rejoice that you can breathe the air. I believe that all RVers are used to bad things happening, yet focus on the positive side, probably more than most.

Next, come up with a plan to enjoy this holiday season no matter what the obstacles may be. If you can’t be with all of your family, be with your immediate circle, no matter how small. Even if you are alone, you can actively make a list of things you love to do and make sure you do them. Seriously, get a pencil and paper and make a list! It’s more tangible if you can see it.

Get a tree and decorate it. Decorate your RV/house, inside and out. Play your favorite tunes and drink your favorite drinks. Watch your favorite movies and shows. Spoil yourself with a gift and spoil anyone else you can, because the gift of giving feels so good! No cash? Create something while repurposing an old piece of wood or scraps of yarn. Pick up some pinecones and needles off the ground and add white paint or sparkles and glue them on something (get your creative juices flowing!) Are you near the beach? Pick up some pretty seashells and make something with them. Home-made cookies or candy is a fun activity and delicious too! Add a few candles to create some ambiance to your home on wheels. Hang your stockings and be sure that something is in them (candy or funny socks will do) on Christmas morning for you and your loved ones! Make some new traditions, make some awesome foods, and clink your glasses together with hot chocolate & marshmallows (spike with something yummy!) Celebrate together or alone, but celebrate your life. Laugh often and laugh hard. Focus on the good that life can give us, and do not let the bad stuff penetrate your bubble. Literally, picture yourself with your immediate family members in your household inside a snow-globe bubble. It might be shaken up a bit, but nothing can change what is happening in your bubble! And in this time of technology, you can always reach out to the ones you love!

And when the holiday is over? None of this has to stop. Maybe your tree and decorations might get packed away, but continue to do whatever makes you happiest every single day that you can. That is how you are going to survive all of this! LIVE IN YOUR HAPPY PLACE every day that you can. Let the rest of the world go silent if you can’t handle the noise.

So my Christmas wish is that everyone remains focused on the good that is still out there in the world. If you desire to live in the past and dwell on sickness and politics, you are the minority in my humble opinion. I believe that the majority of Americans want good for our people and for our country. I am convinced that no matter what else happens, goodness and truth shall prevail. That is what’s inside my bubble. No one can take it out of there. It’s what is in my heart and no one can take that away…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!