Rain / Dec 23 2009 19.26

Aww man! About to get over a fear then it comes back. I know the feeling.

Try to think of them as something else. Christmas is a time to be together and Christmas lights represent the light of Jesus and God and goodness and so on, as well as supposedly looking good. It's like the light of God entering a household in a way, or letting Jesus in. Deep message!

So try to see them as they are: little faulty lights that are only around once a year and will end up packed away for the rest of the year.

As for inflatables, I think I can understand you there. One time there was a house that had an inflatable outside and I kept staring at it!

However, like the lights, think of what they really are. They're just a thin layer of plastic kept up by compressed air. One little jab and they're gone.

Some will tell you just to ignore them, but try to face it rather than ignoring it. If you find yourself staring at them helplessly, get a friend to talk to you and take your mind off it, or go into another room for a moment.

If you feel confident enough, touch them. I promise that after you do this, you'll feel better. Don't feel you have to right away, only do it if you feel you can.

After that try to interact with these items every so often: when it comes to taking down the decorations, help take down the lights and inflatables, watch any inflatables in or outside of your neighbours' houses deflate.

I hope this helps!

xx