| As we head into the holiday season, I remind | | | | people who I interact with. It is possible to say |
| myself that this is supposed to be a season of | | | | "no" when I am invited to a holiday event that I |
| joy. But for many of us,it is a season of stress. | | | | don't really want to attend. I am in control of my |
| I was raised in a typical American pseudo-Christian | | | | schedule. |
| household that did all of the commercial Christmas | | | | As the holidays approach, I spend some time |
| things. The majority of my holiday seasons have | | | | meditating and refecting upon what experience I |
| gone like this: spend lots of money, worry if I | | | | would like to have. This year, I want my daughter |
| bought everyone the "perfect" gift, eat a lot, | | | | to experience the wisdom of all of the sacred |
| drink too much, spend a lot of time in the kitchen | | | | holidays and the winter solstice. So, my husband |
| cooking and cleaning, experience euphoria on | | | | and I are going to have fun celebrating lots of |
| Christmas Eve and Christmas day, followed by a | | | | days. |
| big crash after the New Year. Then, I would | | | | I love getting a tree and decorating it and singing |
| tough it through the boring, blah winter months. | | | | carols - these give me joy. I love baking cookies |
| Winter was always a let-down after the holidays. | | | | with my mom. I enjoy shopping for meaningful |
| Does this sound familiar to anyone? In reality, | | | | gifts on the internet. I enjoy spending time with |
| why should December 25 or December 26, 2005 | | | | friends. I will make one trip to the mall to see the |
| be any different than any other day? It is just a | | | | decorations. I will pause to reflect upon the |
| 24-hour time period. Ideally, if we are connected | | | | change of seasons. I will cook healthful meals, |
| to our source, every day is one of celebration | | | | meditate, and exercise as I always do. |
| and joy. | | | | 2) Joy and peace are inner jobs. Whenever |
| Some people love the glitz and glamour of the | | | | something happens - an event or thought - that |
| holiday season. Others despise the | | | | disturbs my peace and equanimity, I have an |
| commercialization of the holidays. I used to roll my | | | | opportunity to explore what button has been |
| eyes and wax poetic on the corruption of sacred | | | | pushed. A guru has showed up to show me how |
| holidays. Geez, people get into debt, get stressed | | | | to maintain my natural state of peace and joy. |
| out, everything is for sale - "peace", "joy", "love" - | | | | Thank you! If I overextend myself and get too |
| I would rumble. | | | | tired and cranky, I will get a reminder to slow |
| However, since I have changed my view from | | | | down and rest. If I get angry at having to do |
| one of scarcity to one of abundance, I see things | | | | something, this is a reminder that I missed an |
| a bit differently. Now, I marvel at the abundance | | | | opportunity to say "no". |
| of gifts, decorations, food, etc. Wow! This is a | | | | 3) Every day is a celebration. I can experience |
| really abundant world, I think. And, I can choose | | | | joy without the hysterical holiday euphoria by |
| whatever I want from this holiday smorgasbord. I | | | | counting my blessings every day and knowing |
| am free to leave whatever I want alone. | | | | that each day is a gift. As I celebrate these |
| Why do some people see what they like and | | | | "special" days with my family and friends, Ihave a |
| others focus on what they don't like? Well, it's all a | | | | unique opportunity to express my love in focused |
| matter of controlling your focus, thoughts, and | | | | ways. Remember: Choose joy. Make each and |
| emotions. | | | | every day special. Make it a celebration. |
| What is the best way to control holiday stress? | | | | Here is an exercise that will help you to avoid |
| Focus on what you want out of the holidays and | | | | holiday stress. Spend some time reflecting on |
| ignore the rest. There are only a few things that | | | | what you like and don't like about the holiday |
| we can control in life: Our thoughts and how we | | | | season. If you were to design a perfect couple of |
| spend our time. Make sure that you are in control | | | | days or weeks, what would it look and feel like? |
| of what you focus upon and how you spend your | | | | Who would you spend time with? Where would |
| time. | | | | you go? What holiday(s) would you choose to |
| I have finally learned to stay grounded, centered, | | | | celebrate? Make this part of your daily intention |
| and peaceful during this time of the year. And | | | | setting and if you find that your current plans |
| when January 2nd arrives, I am no more or less | | | | don't groove with your desires, then make a |
| energized or burnt-out than I was on December | | | | change now. Book that cruise, cancel unwanted |
| 2nd. | | | | travel. It is your life - do what makes YOU happy. |
| How do I do this? By remembering the following 3 | | | | You are not responsible for anyone else's |
| things: | | | | happiness. If you are dreading a trip to the |
| 1) I am in control of my experience - I can | | | | in-laws, then cancel it or cut it short. Practice Joy! |
| choose all of my activities,conversations, and | | | | |