Christmas means gratitude and forgiveness It's said that during the Holidays, people feel more pressure of having a caring family or being loved and important. When that is not the case, or financial problems prevent someone from buying gifts and all, the matters get worse. Then people become more miserable or suicidal than every other time of the year.  My sister passed away a couple of years ago. She was 49. It's not been easy for my family all these years. However, instead of focusing on the loss, I've chosen to focus on the fond memories, on how she would roll her eyes in disapproval, on her energy that is still here with me. I never avoid referring to her if something relevant comes up, I think of her while I'm decorating the Christmas tree, I imagine some remarks of her when I'm window-shopping, and some hippy shoes catch my attention. No loss can erase the gift of life. I missed my sister but as I am grateful for all the memories of her, I feel it right to be happy as if she were alive, appreciative of the time I have left to love and be loved.  I've been thinking that the most important person craving recognition and attention is myself. It took me long to realize that I would treat myself the same way I'd been treated as a child and I always complained about. What if I don't have a stable income or an easy life? Shouldn't I be grateful for the items I've already had? Gratitude is not just a word. It is the base we should build our lives on to lead them as we wish. Forgiveness doesn't mean compromise. It means the willingness to turn the page and write a new chapter. It means that you appreciate all the bad and good things make you what you are before you move on. So I took the step. I forgive everyone, including myself, but I did it with all my heart not just in my mind. Instead of worries, I chose to put trust in life and what it has in store for me. I revel in being alive, in being mentally and physically healthy, in having good friends, in being able to walk and other simple things we tend to take for granted.  We all deserve wealth in every aspect of our lives. I really believe that whatever the soul desires, there is in abundance. We just need to find a way to get there. Meanwhile, as I have no money to spend on buying Christmas gifts this year, I'm planning on giving love boxes. Boxes with favors I'm going to do or return, with help I'm going to give, with smiles I'm going to spread around, with visits I'm going to pay. What does Christmas mean after all if not love and compassion?