A Secret to Success This New Year: Become Committed and Resilient

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Mom and son celebrating the new year in the Bahamas in 2025! "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." – Confucius Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ! Things have been busy. I am still a working mom of three , working full time who is trying to make a difference. I do a lot of things and try to be present so that I can learn from them. I share them on this blog so that we can learn together. Below are some thoughts, hacks, and/or lessons that I have learned from navigating my world. 2025 was intense. I faced a convergence of pressures: the stress of navigating life as a single mom while paying considerable  alimony ,  an intensifying family situation since we lost my beloved aunt, my dad, and my cousin’s mom—work related stress—learning a new job after an imposed job change, all while navigating the rapid pace of raising my kids and trying to maintain a standard of living for them with fewer resources. Together, these factor...
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I miss you more at Christmastime...

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Yesterday a friend told me that he and his girlfriend broke up on Christmas day. Initially I was incredulous, but upon reflection, I understood.

One year, at Christmastime, I became absolutely convinced that a break up was the best option for me. We had tried so hard to make it work. And as I watched other couples celebrate the holiday, and be happy, my heart ached and I could no longer pretend. It went something like, "Thanks for the great present, but it's over."

Yeah, Christmas can sucker punch you if you're not careful. All of the traditions and presents are really about love. If you do not have a significant loving relationship in your life, the void is palpable. If you are in an unsatisfying relationship, you feel suffocated by the pretense.

If you are smart, you embrace that feeling instead of ignoring it. You realize that the beauty of Christmas is also what makes it an opportunity for improvement.

Christmas is a special time to appreciate that this is a wonderful life. But it is also a time to reflect. You can recognize those things that you want, acknowledge those things that you lack, and commit to bridging that gap.

As the pastor said on Sunday, Christmas is a time to experience the love. And once you do, you owe it to yourself and to Christmas to find a special love of your own.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey Chatón,

I've never been the inspiration for a web log . . . I'm flattered.

I've read and re-read your piece - you seem to have hit it on the head. Reading it was somewhat therapeutic - thank you for being so insightful and for being the genuine friend you have always been.

Hope you're enjoying your vaca - chat with ya upon your return !

MW
11:57 AM
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