Kristen Hamling: Fill Christmas with love and laughter

MY OH MY, what an emotionally laden year that was.

Everyone - this is a time when we need to come together, and rejoice in the positives of human kind, not human evil. Rejoice in what makes us the same, not different.

Yuletide is the time to throw love into the mix and ask: "In what ways can joy and kindness also be used to change the world?"

Children follow our lead, so we need to show them that happiness can also be an antidote to the world's crises.

Remember, there is more good in the world than evil.

Ignite your passion in whatever way you can.

Sing loudly and boldly, hug an animal or do something nice for someone else.

'Tis the season to be merry, so may your hangovers be meek and your Santas be generous.

Merry Christmas, everyone - may your Christmas be filled with love, laughter and no BS.

Our family are having a no-BS Christmas and it is the first time in a long time that I have really looked forward to this period.

Our Christmas is going to be simple, relaxed and all about family fun.

I am having a break over the festive season and I look forward to putting pen to paper again in the new year. I will be back writing in February 2016.

-A registered psychologist with a masters in applied psychology, Wanganui mother-of-two Kristen Hamling is studying for a PhD in wellbeing at Auckland University of Technology.