Latest Mary Schmich Quotes from Interviews

• Getting out of the house is the secret to staying alert through the droning hours leading up to the big meal, even if you don't go farther than 7-Eleven for another six-pack.

  Mary Schmich

  House, Secret, Meals

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• Thanksgiving without tension is like a Thanksgiving without turkey. It can be done, but it is not the norm.

  Mary Schmich

  Turkeys, Done, Tension

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• Alcohol, contrary to instinct, is not the secret to happiness.

  Mary Schmich

  Alcohol, Secret, Instinct

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• When you're thinking, "Why do I have to eat Aunt Sue's casserole with potato chips crumbled on top again?" change that thought to "A couple of bites won't kill me."

  Mary Schmich

  Couple, Aunt, Thinking

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• Replace the words "have to" with "get to" and watch how the cold rain on your life changes to sunshine.

  Mary Schmich

  Life Changing, Rain, Sunshine

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• The Thanksgiving meal should not be treated as a grad school exam or an Olympic dive. Whatever you cook will be good enough - unless you make that Twinkie turkey stuffing we're suddenly hearing too much about.

  Mary Schmich

  School, Turkeys, Too Much

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• The secret to happiness, at Thanksgiving or any time, is to reframe obligation as opportunity. You don't have to spend Thanksgiving with your family. You get to.

  Mary Schmich

  Opportunity, Secret, Obligation

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.

• The secret to happiness, at Thanksgiving or any time, is to find pleasure in imperfection.

  Mary Schmich

  Imperfection, Secret, Pleasure

  "Thanksgiving Helper Hotline addresses pressing holiday issues" by Mary Schmich, articles.chicagotribune.com. November 21, 2012.