Christmas and New Year are rolling around very fast, and it is the time to celebrate. It seems that even if we try not getting caught up in the “silly season”, we still do, to some degree.
Christmas is anything but a joyous time for some people. Family issues, unfinished business, unresolved events, and conflict will be opened up making events stressful and tiresome.
If your Christmas is free of conflict, but just generally busy and you spend more time than usual cooking, cleaning, shopping, entertaining or travelling here and there, this too takes a toll on your energy levels.
So, how do we make the Season to be jolly, happy, stress free and enjoyable?
The first thing is to communicate; let people know how you are feeling. There are some events that would be in your best interest to say “No” to. Ask other family members to help with the cooking and cleaning. Be goal orientated, stay focused and do what needs to be done, there are some things you can let go of or ask others to do. Cook and freeze some dishes, that way a lot of the work is done. Keep diet light and satisfying, we all overeat at Christmas and New Year, make a decision this year to limit the food you cook, serve and eat.
Drink plenty of water, and be mindful of your intake of alcohol and coffee. So much of what we do at this time of year is all about common sense, each year we walk away and complain about eating too much or drinking too much. This can be avoided by simple mindfulness. Be mindful of what you are doing, you will enjoy yourself so much more, during and after the event.
Most of all, it is the “Season of Giving and Joy”, so love each moment, enjoy each moment of each day, embrace those who stress you and be grateful. We live in a beautiful, bountiful country, with freedom of choice, let us not forget those who have less, for those who have nothing, and do what we can to help. Each small donation means so much to so many.
At my work place this year, it was suggested instead of Secret Santa, we donate to a charity to help people in the aftermath of the typhoon. This was well received and soon spread to other work areas. A small thing we can all do, that helps many. Let us who have so much help those who have so little.
May your plans for Christmas and the New Year be as stress free as possible. Remember to breathe and do your morning sadhana practice, it really does make a difference.
In 2014 you can plan to enjoy your yoga more, open up new paths of growth, learn to see life as full of possibilities if we open our minds to positive affirmations and let the negative be lessons to a higher learning.
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