Heroic Hope: Managing Our Mental Health During the Holidays
There is a fantastic scene in the movie Mom’s Night Out depicting stress-induced anxiety. The main character is found by her husband, sitting on the floor of her closet, eating chocolate. She tells him, “I’m stressed-paralyzed.” It was in this moment of cinematic genius that I felt seen for the first time. What a perfect way to describe the paralyzing physical takeover of legitimate fear. However, what in the world could be so powerful in the realm of stress that your body completely shuts down? Why, the holidays of course!
Every year, the holidays come whipping back around just when you have made peace with the previous year. It is like clockwork how the brain begins to realize that when November hits, you already are 6 weeks behind. Even when there isn’t a pandemic raging through the world, the mere mention of the upcoming Liturgical Feasts can make a Catholic’s head spin. All of a sudden, everyone on social media seems to be on their A-game. The radio begins to play Christmas music. Pumpkins magically transform into both cornucopias and Christmas trees simultaneously. Amazon wish lists already start their circulation within extended family circles. Sneak-peeks of Christmas cards begin to sprinkle Facebook and Instagram feeds. All the while, the feeling of accomplishment of making it from the summer to Halloween is already squashed. The world has moved on and is ready for the next “hit.” It is as if the holidays are a prescribed form of acceptable “heroin” and everyone has a refill but you.
Surviving everyday life with anxiety is one thing, but it goes up a notch during the holidays. Why? It could be because of the extra societal pressure, the persistent push for perfection, or simply because it stirs up triggers from the past. Whatever the reason, it is stressful even for people who don’t struggle with their mental health on a daily basis. Is this all because the secular world has transformed Christmas into cheesy films and ugly sweaters? Have we become more anxiety-filled because we have allowed worldly distraction to replace religious origin? Or do we just all deep down yearn for our holidays to be a Capraesque/spiritual Pinterest board of sorts? Meaning, we want it all. We want the religious and the American ideals intertwined during the holidays. The longing for Catholicism and commercialism to become one is a Herculean feat. And it would create anxiety for anyone.
What can help during the Christmas season? What cure can be administered to those who already fight for their mental health during Ordinary Time? The obvious answer is prayer, but the follow up question is, “which specific prayer should be prayed?” The prayer that can swoop in and save it all directly asks the Lord for Heroic Hope. Why Heroic Hope? Because it is supernatural. Anything coming from God that is not in the natural realm is supernatural and this is where Heroic Hope enters the narrative.
Tayler Crabb, @taylercrabb.
Hope is a Cardinal Virtue. There are three Cardinal Virtues and they are popular buzzwords that have profound meaning. Faith, Hope, and Love are more than calligraphed words on the covers of journals and ceramic mugs found at Hobby Lobby. These are real, powerful gifts that can only be given by God. The only way to receive them from God the Father is to ask. When Hope is asked for as Heroic Hope, there is a heavy dose of courage included. Being bold in our conversations with Christ is always rewarded more than we expect. Since the holidays are “extra,” we need extra weaponry in our arsenal. Heroic Hope is that je ne sais quoi that tips the scale in our favor. All you have to do is ask.
As someone who personally has a diagnosis of both severe anxiety and depression, 2020 has been a year of education for me around the virtue of Hope. I begin each day by saying to God, “Lord, give me Heroic Hope,” before I do anything else. This simple addition to my morning has made all the difference. There is power in our words. There is power in our intentions. There is power in our ask. The Lord is simply waiting for us to enter into a relationship with Him. He gave us a communication tool that can overcome time and space. He gave us prayer.
We may have dismissed prayer because of its simplicity and unknown results. The fact is, we are answered every time we pray. Either we are told “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” All three are answers. However, Scripture tells us that when we ask for a Cardinal Virtue it will be gifted to us. Therefore, instead of asking, “how will I make it through the holidays,” go into the holiday season asking, “Lord, please grant me Heroic Hope.” Once there is Hope in your heart, the mountains of the holidays will dwindle to manageable molehills.
Meet Liv Harrison
Liv is known for being a professional speaker and emcee with a gift for humor, storytelling, and wisdom. In May 2019 Liv successfully wrote, launched, and emceed the Genius Catholic Women’s Conference and it was produced again in March 2020. Liv is currently a co-host on the Forte Catholic Podcast, Discerning Marriage Podcast, and on June 1, 2020 she launched her own interview/storytelling podcast titled Talk to Me with Liv Harrison. Lastly, she has been a frequent voice on Sirius XM and various other podcast programs both as a guest and as a co-host. Liv is married to the love of her life & high school sweetheart and she is the mother of two fantastic humans! Come laugh with Liv on Instagram @thelivharrison.