We are a week and half away from Christmas. Tomorrow we will be in single digits. I want to take today and help you slow down. At a time in the month where last-minute shopping, last-minute wrapping, packing, and shipping is taking place, not to mention potential last-minute traveling- I want to remind you of the Christmas Spirit.
At the beginning of the month I shared my epiphany with you that- we create the Christmas Spirit. By the choices we make and from the actions we take- we create Christmas.
To this end, I ask you- What type of Christmas are you creating?
Are you creating a season of stress and drama, or joy and happiness? During a time in the month where there are those who are choosing to manifest drama I challenge you to not follow them. Walk your own path.
How to walk your own path:
- Slow down.
At a time in our life when the world moves faster than ever before- we can get caught up in the tide of the world and lose sight of the ground we walk upon. In needing to keep our eyes up, looking at all the things coming towards us, we can become disconnected from the ground, and as a result we can take a wrong turn and end up on a different path then the one that is best for us.
So, during this busy holiday season, slow down. This can mean reducing your schedule. Or it might mean scheduling 5-20 minutes each day where you just sit. You can listen to Christmas music (or any other genre). You could eat a Christmas cookie or two. You could soak in the tub. Or you can do any other activity that helps calm and re-center yourself. Some “me” time during the speed of the world.
- Short and simple.
The holiday season can seem to come with all these rules and obligations. That we “have to” see family or that we “have to” give up our “me” time. When learning how to say, “no” or even giving yourself permission to demonstrate self-love there are a few key tips to help you.
One-
Keep it short, long-winded explanations aren’t necessary to justify your decision. In addition, long winded explanations can be taken apart, and then your reason is torn to shreds.
Two-
Keep it simple. Just as long-winded explanations will hamper your ability to stick to your decision, continuing a conversation after you say no, is not advised. The longer you stand talking to that person, the longer they have to not take “no” for an answer. If you’re talking to a persuasive or manipulative person, or you have a co-dependent relationship with them, end the conversation after you give them your decision. Walk away, hang up- make it clear not only through your words but through your actions that you are going to demonstrate self-love and stick to your decision.
- Day by day, moment by moment.
In a society where we are taught the premise of “one and done,” the path of healing and happiness is not “one and done.” When we journey to a healed and healthy lifestyle we are breaking the old habits, we are instilling new habits, we are learning what healthy looks like, we are learning what we find as happy, we are learning how to implement that happiness, and how to enjoy this new life we have created. These things take time, persistence, patience, and self-love. Which means that we’ll have better days than others.
Another reason is that what we find as happy and healthy transforms as we do. As a child- the toys we love bring us joy. Today- can the same be said? What brings us joy changes, which means that we periodically need to check in and update our life (just like an oil change.) Plus, what we find healthy changes.
Years ago, my mother and I changed our diet. We cut out most milk (we kept butter and cheese) and we cut out highly processed foods. Now, we have cut even more, such as almost all dairy (still using that butter though), gluten, GMO’s, (OMG’s), most meats- and we’re happy. Changing how we live takes time. It is a process and keeps going. This is good- because then our lifestyle matches our growth and transformations. Due to these complex realities- we demonstrate self-love when we take things day by day, moment by moment.
Looking too far into the future creates stress and detaches us from our life. So, I recommend slowing down and living in this present moment to the best of your ability.
Your Daily Dose of Christmas:
Christmas Song: A Holly Jolly Christmas by, Burl Ives
Christmas Movie: Grinch
- Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knFho9WzLJQ
- The Coats take on the Grinch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvggHpyiPzY
Daily Affirmation:
- “I am safe to walk my own path.”