The holiday seasons are here and holiday chaos is setting in. Stores are piling up the shelves, gas prices are going up, and family expectations are rising fast. We start rushing to work and thinking about all the “other things” that need to get done for this special time of the year. Take time to listen to yourself.
Does this season make you a bit snappy, anxious, or forgetful? Stress manifests in so many different ways – we can be the cranky kind barking out tasks or the happy kind that listens to those deadlines whoosh by and then feel guilty later. I am sending you a reminder that this time of year, more than any other time of the year; you need to take time for just yourself.
This begins the season of giving. If you are not at peace with yourself it is much more difficult to spread joy, goodwill, and gratitude to others. Take just 15 minutes (just 5 minutes if that’s all you have) to push out the things that must get done today, tomorrow, later, etc. In these 15 minutes write down a list of 5 – 10 things you are grateful for. Why do this exercise? Because giving thanks reminds you how blessed your life is, however your life is, and appreciating your blessings is reinvigorating.
A few of my gratitudes:
I am thankful for my family.
I am grateful that I have the ability to write.
I am grateful that I will share part of the holidays with out of town friends.
I am grateful for the opportunity to help others.
When I read them back it makes me smile when I need to do my errands because I am doing actions in my day that I am truly thankful for. It definitely helps me put things in perspective and appreciate the little every day things. It leads to more gratitudes like I am thankful the store has my favorite snack in stock. The check out line is not very long and the clerk is pleasant. I tell the clerk thank you and have a great day; she smiles and passes that smile on to the next customer. Gratitudes are catchy and just help improve the quality of your day. It just takes a few minutes to take time with yourself and be thankful for your blessings in life.
