Monday Blues by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 01/22/2007 at 11:01 AM

Is fading holiday cheer coupled with failed New Year's resolutions adding up to a slump? You may be surprised to hear that today has been dubbed "Blue Monday" — the most depressing day of 2007. According to Fox News:

Researchers in England, citing unpaid holiday bills, rotten weather and people's realization that they likely won't live up to their New Year's resolutions, say Jan. 22 is the unhappiest day of 2007.

Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the depressing formula.

His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year's resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling a need to take action.

The article suggests using the day as "a springboard" to improve one's quality of life and eliminate bad habits that will lead to the same depression next year.

If you're suffering from post-holiday blues, I submit to you a more potent antidote: the following passage from Lamentations (the "funeral songs" over the destruction of Jerusalem; if anyone knew "Blue Monday" it was Jeremiah):

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:19-26)

It's comforting to know that when things are at their worst, our hope is in a powerful and sufficient God. Happy Monday!

Monday Blues by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 01/22/2007 at 11:01 AM

Is fading holiday cheer coupled with failed New Year's resolutions adding up to a slump? You may be surprised to hear that today has been dubbed "Blue Monday" — the most depressing day of 2007. According to Fox News:

Researchers in England, citing unpaid holiday bills, rotten weather and people's realization that they likely won't live up to their New Year's resolutions, say Jan. 22 is the unhappiest day of 2007.

Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the depressing formula.

His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year's resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling a need to take action.

The article suggests using the day as "a springboard" to improve one's quality of life and eliminate bad habits that will lead to the same depression next year.

If you're suffering from post-holiday blues, I submit to you a more potent antidote: the following passage from Lamentations (the "funeral songs" over the destruction of Jerusalem; if anyone knew "Blue Monday" it was Jeremiah):

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:19-26)

It's comforting to know that when things are at their worst, our hope is in a powerful and sufficient God. Happy Monday!

Comments

[1. Samantha said the following at 12:32 PM on Jan 22:]

1

I love that passage from Lamentations. In fact, it used to be in my "signature" on my e-mail...

Anyway, I think my unhappiness is offset by my realization when I made "resolutions" at the end of 2006 that I would never uphold them. I wonder if that even makes them resolutions....??

[2. Scott said the following at 11:05 AM on Jan 23:]

2

Ah yes, the dreaded New Year's resolutions. I often wonder if the major morning news programs get tired of doing this segment year after year.

I'm not a fan of the New Year's resolution. I've only made 1 in the last ~5 years (and amazingly kept it). I just think there's too much emotion and hype surrounding it.

I am a big fan of make changes/resolutions to your life anytime during the year. The thing I most often forget is that it's good to implement these changes slowly. Sometimes these change require a big adjustment in your life.

[1. Samantha said the following at 12:32 PM on Jan 22:]

1

I love that passage from Lamentations. In fact, it used to be in my "signature" on my e-mail...

Anyway, I think my unhappiness is offset by my realization when I made "resolutions" at the end of 2006 that I would never uphold them. I wonder if that even makes them resolutions....??

[2. Scott said the following at 11:05 AM on Jan 23:]

2

Ah yes, the dreaded New Year's resolutions. I often wonder if the major morning news programs get tired of doing this segment year after year.

I'm not a fan of the New Year's resolution. I've only made 1 in the last ~5 years (and amazingly kept it). I just think there's too much emotion and hype surrounding it.

I am a big fan of make changes/resolutions to your life anytime during the year. The thing I most often forget is that it's good to implement these changes slowly. Sometimes these change require a big adjustment in your life.