This is Pioneering Today with Upper Skagit's own Melissa K. Norris, inspiring your faith and your pioneer route here in the beautiful North Cascade Mountains on KSvU 90.1 Community Radio.

Hey guys, this is Melissa K. Norris with Pioneering Today. And on today's episode, we're going to be talking about

things you need to do to get organized and survive the upcoming holiday season without stress

and going crazy. So the holidays, you've probably heard me mention this numerous times and

will hear me mention it

again I really enjoy the holiday season there's so much about it the you know that the drawing

together family with friends remembering the reason for the season in our home which is

celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ you, just and getting to celebrate with people and give gifts

and then, of course, with Thanksgiving, getting to show our thanks.

There's so much to be thankful for.

I know a lot of times when the news comes on TV or you'll, you know, see headlines for articles

either online or in the newspaper and stuff. So much of what the media wants to focus on is all of

the bad things and the sensational things to worry about and all that kind of a thing, which is one of the

reasons I really don't watch the news anymore. All it did was cause

me stress and angst, and I couldn't really change what they were reporting on. And I've just found

that I'm a happier person and I have less anxiety when I don't watch mainstream news and television and that kind of a thing.

So despite what the media would like us to believe, we really have so much to be thankful for.

I think that in any situation, if you look, that you can find something to be thankful for in some way to have joy.

You know, circumstances are what make people

happy but joy comes from from deep within and i believe from a strong relationship with um jesus

and your faith and so joy is something that you have with you no matter what the circumstances are

whereas happiness can be fleeting

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