It is so easy to be affected by our outside world, whether it’s the craziness of having to do last-minute shopping for the holidays, concern around finances, dreading the “Pink Elephant in the living room,” type of family events. Even all the joyful aspects of the holidays, connecting with people you care about, socializing etc. can easily leave you depleted and stressed out.
1) Break down the word Holidays to Holy-Days– What in your life feels holy and sacred? Make sure to cultivate that daily, especially during the holidays. For me, I find clarity exceedingly holy, so I find it gratifying to take a few days and do some major refinement in my office and home. What is it for you? Seeing people who elevate both my mood and my heart? Taking in the beauty of this time of year, whether it’s window gazing of some of the most amazing displays, or simply being awestruck by a snowflake or two?
2) Reflect and Refine– I have a client who literally every year goes through a very rigorous process of reviewing the former year and re-creating her next year, and boy, does the richness of her life reflect that (She’s a fan of “Best Year Yet”).
3) The faster the outer world, the slower the inner world needs to become- If your life is feeling harried and rushed, take time to slow down your inner world, by meditating, breathing, doing a few yoga stretches. For me, I pause throughout the day and ask myself, “In this moment are my thoughts taking me closer or further away from how I want to live my life, and who I want to be?” I work on observing versus ostracizing myself when I get my answer (it’s a process for sure).
4) Gratitude brings Greatness- I am not talking about being a Pollyanna or in denial of what needs to be changed. I’m talking about the fact, that studies have proven that simply documenting three things you are grateful for on a daily basis, actually increases endorphins and dopamine, the body’s “Happy Drugs.” When you connect with all the amazing things in your life you have to be grateful, you not only feel more optimistic about your life, but you actually, on a quantum physics level, draw more positive experiences to you.