Stuff happens.  People get laid off, relationships end, people move, we miss deadlines, we fail to achieve a goal.  But when these things happen to you,  one thing doesn’t change.  You are still the same lovable, worthy, talented self you were before they occurred.  It can be hard to maintain feeling of high self worth when it feels as if some important aspects of your life are out of control.  But, giving in to the circumstances only causes a greater downward spiral from which it is more difficult to recover.

It’s particularly difficult to stay strong and feel empowered at this time of year.  Here are some ideas on how to enjoy the holidays and help others do the same through the challenge of change.

1. Be kind and gentle to yourself but don’t indulge yourself by dwelling on your feelings.  The difference?  Being kind and gently means, changing your expectations, slowing down a bit, forgiving yourself so that you can move on.  Indulging in your feelings is using them as a reason to stay stuck.
2. Moods are contagious.  Don’t spread your negativism to others.  Spend time with people who are upbeat and positive.  Spread feelings of hope and possibility around.
3. Find positive, affordable ways to create meaning during the holiday.
4. Eliminate holiday habits that you no longer value and enjoy and create new traditions.
5. Volunteer.  Giving to others is an amazing way to get filled up and feel great about yourself.
6. Continue (or begin) to live a healthy lifestyle.  Exercise, eat healthy quantities of nutritious foods, don’t overindulge in alcohol.

Give yourself and your loved ones the greatest gift… your presence.

Here’s a little english lesson for people interested in change. 

Vocabulary words

Change, metamorphosis, transition, transformation-all mean similar things including- to move from one stage to the next; take a different form than if left alone; movement

Life-The condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms; being manifested by growth through…the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.

Alive-To be in a state of action; in force of operation, full of energy and spirit

Thriving-The act of making steady progress, to grow vigorously; flourish

THE VOCABULARY WORDS USED IN A SENTENCE

Whether you call it change, metamorphosis, transition or transformation, you have the power to create a life in which you are fully alive and thriving!

Said another way…

If you are ready to move on from your current stage to a new one that allows you to thrive, if you are ready to take action and make steady progress so you can flourish, the first step is to decide what change you want to make.

Consider, in specific terms, what different outcome you want to get, what you want to do differently, how you want to be that is different than how you are currently being, how you want to be perceived differently by others and in the universe.  Embrace the possibilities that those changes might reveal.

Answer these questions for yourself:

1. What is the outcome I’d like to achieve?
2. What am I currently doing that is moving me toward that outcome
3. What would I like to be doing, doing more of or doing differently in order to attain that result?
4. What will help me stay on track with my intention?

Many of us face the holiday season with mixed emotions.  We love the idea of the holidays but reality doesn’t always match up with our expectations.  We often end up stressed out and disappointed.

 When I refer to the holiday season, I’m talking about the time leading up to Thanksgiving and continuing until just after the New Year.  It doesn’t matter what religion you are or what your holiday practices are.  That period of time tends to be one that is marked by family visits, high expectations, social pressure, financial stress, over-eating, too much to do and too little time to do it.

Often, as families, we do things out of habit rather than by conscious choice.  We celebrate holidays in the same way year after year, eat the same foods at holiday dinners, put the same decorations in the same spots around the house and entertain the same guests.  While tradition and ritual is great, sometimes it’s good to shake things up.

You can change your holiday experience for yourself and your loved ones by making a conscious decision to do some things differently.  You may not transform your family into something it is not and the holidays may still not look like a Hallmark movie, but you can make some adjustments that will make a big difference for you.

1. Identify the things you love and want to maintain about your holiday habits and traditions.
2. Identify one or two new or different things you’d really like to have be part of your holiday celebration.  Perhaps you want to volunteer somewhere or you want to see a seasonal show. Perhaps you want to do more ‘home-made’, whether it’s food or gifts or decorations.  What is something that would be meaningful for you to do and be stress-less?
3. Imagine just how you want to feel during the holiday season.  Do a visualization to capture the full effect of you living your ideal holiday.  Notice what is present and what is not present.  Write down words and phrases that describe your vision for a fabulous experience and live into it.
4. Discuss ideas for doing things differently with family members to get their ideas and buy in.
5. Be bold. Create new holiday habits that may become rich, long lasting traditions.

Click here for more support on de-stressing the holidays or  view our Holiday Bracelet collection.