Spread holiday cheer past the holiday season

The holiday season certainly brings out good moods and cheer during the month of December. And there’s a good reason for that — the holidays bring plenty of reasons to be happy. Seeing family and friends, days off work, relaxation, and tons of other things. It’s truly one of the best few weeks of the year.

But when the calendar flips to January 2023, we hope people will continue that spirit forward. The past few years have been tough and we’re still getting over the division that has been created. Let’s start 2023 with a desire to be kind to one another and offer to help to our community whenever we can. And we all know some people are in tough shape financially with inflation and cost of living. If you are able to offer a helping hand to those in need within your community, we applaud you for doing so. 

There are tons of great organizations in small towns across southern Alberta that are doing everything they can to help out during these trying times. Spreading that holiday cheer into 2023 can only mean good things for not only those organizations such as local food banks or shelters, but also those in your community. The work done at a community level is crucial and we certainly thank those who offer up their time and effort throughout the year. 

And if you are one of those people who are struggling with money or mental health, there’s absolutely no shame in reaching out for help. It is not a sign of weakness when you need to ask for help from other people. While we have definitely got better at acknowledging mental health in the past years, it’s still a work in progress. Anyone in our communities could be going through the wringer, especially with how much the cost of living is right now. A friendly face and a smile may not make everything alright, but it certainly helps give some encouragement. 

A new year approaches and let’s hope it’s a good one. Sure, there will be ups and downs like every other year throughout history, but with what we’ve gone through over the two years of COVID, we know what it’s like to be locked in quarantine. Enjoy every day and make the most of it. Pick up those who have fallen by the wayside and let’s do it together.