The holidays are upon us! Some of us feel excited. Some feel dread. Some feel overwhelmed. Others are on edge. 

Let’s not lose sight of what the holiday season is about! 

Today’s episode is a refresher on how to stay positive and how to get through the holiday season with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

The bustling season can sometimes really knock us out of balance. We tend to be in our little bubble, working on our stuff, doing our thing, and then -- bam! It’s time for parties and dinners; we’re out of our healthy habits and routines; we’re seeing family and friends we don’t frequently rub elbows with; we’re “dealing” with lots of different personalities… How to stay grounded?

First, chunk up and get the big-picture perspective. What is this season about anyway? It’s about connecting with people who are different from us. It’s about finding common ground. It’s about family, togetherness, love. 

Now for some practice tips for getting through the holiday season in a congruent, feeling-good way:

• Only do what you can comfortably do. And nothing more.
• Take care of yourself first. Your presence and your time are the most precious gifts you can give. So tend to you first.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. We’re all unique. That’s what makes us special. Let go of perceived expectations and just do you. 
• Do the holidays in your own way. For me, that means skipping the holiday gift giving -- at least for the adults in my life. For you, it may be something else.
• Realize and notice that each one is unique. The holidays are not about inserting your opinions or beliefs. It’s about coming together.
• Only consume media that feels good. This might mean avoiding the news. 
• Actively look for the good in others.
• Actively look for the good in yourself and celebrate you!
• Reflect over the year and celebrate your wins. Even the “little” wins like that happy sweater purchase or the newly painted mailbox counts.
• Start your day with good intentions. This might be the best return you can get for the time spent.  

Of course, despite our best intentions, there will be hiccoughs along the way. Here’s how to deal with negative events or situations and keep them from co-opting your day -- or your holiday:

• Remind your unconscious mind of what you’re trying to achieve by saying/thinking, “Unconscious mind, you know the difference between suggestions that are good, positive, and healthy for me and those that are not. From now on, only allow suggestions that are good, positive, and healthy for me like _____” and you fill in the blank. 
• When someone says something that you don’t like or you see something you don’t like, think, “Reject, delete.” Get it out of your consciousness as quickly as you can, and get back to the positive stuff.

With these practices, you’re armed with the tools you need to have a rockin’ holiday...and to play a positive role in helping those around you have a wonderful holiday too!

 

Thanks for listening!

 

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Links from today’s episode:

• Episode 42 -- We learned that beliefs are nothing more than ideas, stories we tell ourselves.
• Episode 33 -- Daily Habits for Having a Great Day
• Episode 2 -- We learned about internal representations
• Episode 3 -- We learned about perception is projection
• Check out our Purely Positive Quiz!

 

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