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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 19, 2007 - 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Take time to laugh over holidays It may be the "most wonderful time of the year", but for many it is also the most stressful. Expectations mount up and often come crashing down. Families get together with hopes of a Norman Rockwell scene and come face to face with old resentments and anxieties that can bubble to the surface after a little too much eggnog and good cheer. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or try to avoid it all, it is hard to escape the crowds of dazed or frenzied shoppers bumping and jostling each other in their quest to make everything right. The tension is infectious and can afflict even the calmest among us. For those who are alone or who, for one reason or another, are unable to make the holidays bright, December can be the most miserable month of the year. Depression is a real concern at this time of year and we should be aware of the signs, such as: sleeping too much or too little; change in appetite; feelings of sadness or hopelessness and general anxiety. If you or someone you know are showing symptoms of depression it is important to talk to someone right away. Call your family doctor or if in immediate need your local Distress Centre (numbers are on page 2 of the phone book). Talk to a trusted friend or family member and make sure they take you seriously. Try to be there for someone if they turn to you. If you are just feeling the normal holiday wear and tear, here are a few suggestions for a happier holiday. Excessive alcohol can increase holiday anxieties for everyone. Whether it be embarrassing or maudlin behaviour or the horrors of drunken driving it is easily preventable. Limit your intake and don't let friends drive drunk. Alcohol is also a depressant and if you are already feeling low or anxious another drink will only make it worse. We can lower the stress level a little by lowering our expectations. Dr. David D. Burns in his best-selling book Feeling Good -- The New Mood Therapy, which has been the bible of cognitive behavioural therapy for over two decades, asks us to "Dare to be Average". To give up the illusion of perfection and accept good. Nobody can do it all and nobody expects you to do it all. Have a potluck instead of cooking all day. Go out for Chinese food and then go see a movie, you'd be surprised how many others are out there. Try to see the humour in the little holiday faux pas. So the dog peed on the Christmas tree and shorted out the lights. You'll be telling that story next year so laugh now, you'll be glad you did. LESLEY SPRAGUE VISIT US ONLINE YEAR END CLEAR-OUT · 5% GST · $1250 e-bonus · Rebates up to $6000 '08 F150 4.6L V8, automatic, air conditioning, 8 foot box stereo, Stk.# F5570 $ Sale Price 19,995 13,596 , 42,284 62 864 62,864 $ 343 68 PER MONTH '07 FORD FOCUS SE 4 cyl., automatic, air conditioning, power locks, AM/FF/CD, Stk.# FS 5398 $ $ Sale Price 239 43 9 PER MONTH '07 FORD EDGE SEL PLUS V6, leather, all wheel drive, navigation, chrome wheels, Stk.# EG 4860 MSRP SALE PRICE $ $ Wishing You a World of Peace, Happiness and the Joys of the Season FROM THE STAFF AT HERBAL MAGIC OF OAKVILLE 35,495 '07 FORD EXPEDITION L ON LTD Leather, DVD, 20" chrome wheels, captain chairs, Stk.#ED 4796 heels, MSRP SALE PRICE $ LD SO $ 42,998 32,703 26,885 '07 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT,V8, automatic, tonneau cover, alloy wheels, Stk.#EX 4643 MSRP SALE PRICE $ 39 169 39,169 $ WAL-MART CORRECTION NOTICE '07 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE Leather, Pony package, Shaker audio system, heated seats, tinted windows, cloth roof, Stk.#MU 4804 MSRP SALE PRICE $ Magellan Triton 200 Handheld GPS (#942029) advertised in our current flyer (expiring December 14th) will be not be available. ========================== 33 449 33,449 $ Receive a $200 Gas Card with Every New In-Stock Vehicle Purchased Dial 905-845-1646 ext. 210 for complete details of each advertised vehicle. www.herbalmagic.com OAKVILLE WEST 1500 Upper Middle Rd. W. (3rd Line, Sobey's Plaza) OAKVILLE EAST 380 Dundas St. E., Trafalgar Rd. (in Longo's Plaza @ Trafalgar) OAKVILLE SOUTHEAST 511 Maple Grove Drive (Sobey's Plaza) We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. DORVAL DR. AL 905.845.1646 280 SOUTH SERVICE RD. W. OAKVILLE 905-469-4532 905-257-2404 905-618-0058 QEW R S. SERV www.kennedyford.ca WYECROFT E IC