What we think about ourselves has a lot to do with how we react to the comments of others. If we feel good about ourselves, we accept compliments and downplay criticisms. If we don't, we take in the criticisms and discount the compliments.

"I don't have a book of quotations

Or wisdom I pull from the shelf;

Most often the greetings I wish you

Are the greetings I wish for myself.

So if I write 'relax,' then I'm nervous,

Or if I write, 'cheer up,' then I'm blue.

I'm writing what I wish somebody would say,

Then switching the pronoun to you."

~ Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gmorning, Gnight!

One woman shared that despite the challenges she experienced in childhood, her mother shone at Christmas. "She somehow whipped up an amazing Christmas every year, with ambiance and decorations and special food and presents and music. So I grew up thinking Christmas was inherently magical. As an adult, I realized that it wasn’t inherently magical—women made the magic." She tried to recreate the magic as an adult, but couldn’t pull it off. "Eventually I let go of the expectation that Christmas ought to be magical. Now I’m happy just to get a few days off and do things I enjoy."

"No one goes through life without challenges, times when you lose hope, wonder where your faith went, question if you can go on, struggle with why this is happening to you. Often these situations come out of nowhere. Each of us, at some point in our lives, will be required to reach deep into ourselves and hope we can find the strength within to take one more step like Terry did. This book is a way to prepare for when that time comes. By hearing and learning from the example of the short and beautiful life of Terry Fox, you will be ready."

~ Michael Bublé, introduction to the book Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters

"Unoccupied time feels longer than occupied time." So find something other than the wait to focus on and come prepared. For instance, read a book; listen to music or hum a song under your breath; listen to an audiobook or podcast; watch a video or show that you've downloaded to your phone; play a game on your phone; watch people and guess their occupations.

[Seeing the silver lining in a situation] is true of Charlie Mackesy, author of the beautiful book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Yesterday, he published a wonderful image that helps to put into perspective where we are, as the pandemic drags on. It reads:

— "Everything is cancelled."

— "Love isn't cancelled," said the horse.

No matter where our loved ones are at this time, their love for us, and ours for them, is not diminished.

Finally, of the many heartwarming messages I received today, I would single out one from a dear former colleague, who sent me a link to positive thoughts (Pensée positive : conseils et citations pour réaliser vos projets). The webpage contains 58 quotes to inspire readers. One of my favourites was this one, attributed to the Greek philosopher Sénèque: "La vie ce n’est pas d’attendre que les orages passent, c’est d’apprendre à danser sous la pluie." (Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.) This is a fitting metaphor for my life as I deal with a second cancer. Indeed, it might be relevant for all of us as we face the grim headlines about the Omicron variant. Let us not wait for cancer or COVID to pass to notice the joys life has to offer.

"With every sentence you write, you have learned something. It has done you good. It has stretched your understanding."

~ Barbara Ueland

I've always admired people who can write funny stories. Comedic tales serve a purpose much greater than making us laugh for a moment. They remind us of our humanity. They allow us to see that we are all on a similar journey. And they prompt us to not take life too seriously.

[Nicky Newman's] advice to others is simple: "So the next time someone says ‘get in’ the photo, GET IN IT!" Pictures bring back memories of a particular moment or event, which makes them worth the effort, says Nicky. Beyond that, she notes, "one day someone will be grateful you took the photo & that you are in it."

The Mental Health Commission of Canada recently published an infographic offering Holiday Self-Care Tips. Among the suggestions was this one: "Give yourself permission to just let it be an average day." This resonated with me. From social media to seasonal songs to magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store, we are bombarded with messages to make this year "the perfect holiday." But when expectations get heightened to unrealistic levels, disappointment often ensues. So a message that reminds us to allow the holiday to be just another day is welcomed.

Being thanked generally for a gift is nice, but being acknowledged specifically for the choices we made is delightful. Knowing that our recipient not only appreciated our gesture but also loved and would use what we gave them makes us feel good about giving.