Sherry Gaba LCSW, Psychotherapist, Life & Recovery Coach is featured  Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Sherry is the author of “The Law of Sobriety” which uses the law of attraction  to recover from any addiction. Please download your copy of “Manifest Holistic Health” from Sherry’s Enrich Your Life  Series. Contact Sherry at sherry@sgabatherapy.com for  webinars, teleseminars, coaching packages and speaking engagements. Listen to  Sherry on “A Moment of Change with Sherry Gaba”on CBS Radio.

When people think of New Year’s Eve, they think of wonderful
get togethers and everyone enjoying each other’s company in the spirit of the
season. The reality is that this is not the reality for many individuals and
families. There are hundreds of thousands of people that spend New Year’s Eve
alone or with people they don’t know or don’t really want to spend time with.

New Year’s Eve disappointment can also occur when there are
unrealistic expectations of what the evening will bring. In my recent book, “The
Law of Sobriety” I talk about how these disappointments are often rooted
in fear. Fear can occur because of worrying about problems that don’t exist or
reading negativity into situations instead of looking for the positives. At
this time of year the risk of fear of the future is even greater as everyone
makes plans and sets expectations for what will happen.

If something unforeseen does happen over New Year’s Eve,
allowing it to ruin the beauty of this season is devastating. It is important
to seek the positives in all situations in order to rid your thoughts of those

negative images, thoughts and habits that try to worm their way in. Instead of
allowing a holiday disappointment to bring you down and into negativity, try
the following three thought exercises:

1. Look for the blessing, positive attributes,
   learning experience or message within the event.
2. Visualize the season as you want it to be and
   look for positive opportunities that the universe provides for this to happen.
3. Keep your focus on your own goals, positive
   thoughts and positive behaviors and don’t allow negative people around you to
   change your focus.