Oh, the holidays (daze) are upon us!!! So much fun and food and friends and family – a truly magical time of year with crisp, sunny days and beautiful decorations. But sometimes it can be a bit of a stimulus overload. All the shopping and planning, trying to find parking, passive aggressive relatives, relentless gray days. UGH! It’s enough to make you want to pull the covers over your head until January.
WOAH, Nelly! Let’s rewind to when it was still magical. If you’ve ever considered the notion that your mood is your choice, now’s a good time to recall that. If this is a new concept for you, hear me now and believe me later. It’s true.
The only things we actually have control over are our actions and our reactions. All the rest of it is out of our control, so let it go with a big ole deep breath and a really loud sigh. If folks are snipping and snapping, mentally put yourself in their shoes for a moment & see from their perspective. (Own it if you caused it.) Most crazy outbursts are fear driven in some fashion. Once the smoke clears, try this thought, “meh, no harm no foul.” And keep moving. We are each doing the very best we know how at this moment, and we’re all in a different place along the road. Allow for the differences.
In the thick of it, delegate what you can. Those you spoil are way more capable than they think they are. Say no to some of it. The world will keep turning. Choose to enjoy the process of every task, every visit, every detour. Actively look for some serendipity. And if you need to, stop a minute, close your eyes, take a few breaths. Take each big deep to the belly inhale and on the exhale think these thoughts with the emphasis on BEEEEEEE…
(inhale) BE calm. (inhale) BE quiet. (inhale) BE still. (inhale) BE kind.
Some situations and people are easier than others, so keep practicing. Never mind trying to. Just be. And let it go.
Photo credit: Jargalsaikhan Dorjnamjil via Flickr.com