We are in the mist of the 2023 holiday season, and my the question to you is “How are you doing?” Are you taking time for reflection, stillness, and conscious breaths? Or, are you allowing the busyness of the season to take control?

Definition of control:

• to exercise retraining or directing influence over (REGULATE)
• to have power over (RULE)

Here’s an important reminder from Jeff Brown:

The glorification of busy will destroy us. 

Without space for healing, without time for reflection, without an opportunity to surrender, we risk a complete disconnect from the authentic self. 

We burn out on the fuels of wilfulness, and eventually cannot find our way back to center. 

And when we lose contact with our core, we are ripe for the picking by the unconscious media and other market forces. 

After all, consumerism preys on the uncentered. 

The farther we are from our intuitive knowing, the more easily manipulated we are. 

The more likely we are to make decisions and affix to goals that don’t serve our healing and transformation. 

To combat this, we have to form the conscious intention to prioritize our inner life. 

To notice our breath, our bodies, our feelings. 

To step back from the fires of overwhelm and remember ourselves. 

It may feel counter-intuitive in a culture that is speed-addicted, but the slower we move, the faster our return home.

“The slower we move—the faster our return home,” so much truth in this!

My wish this season?  We all find our way back to our center (our home), instead of burning ourselves out. Begin with awareness. Be curious. Notice your breath. Are you holding tension in your body? How do you feel in this moment?

Choose to slow down for yourself, in your own way, 5-minutes of stillness (or longer), an epson salt bath, read with a cozy blanket, meditate with movement (qigong), sit by the fire, or go outside for a walk. Most of all, let’s be kind to ourselves. Before we say the automatic yes, let’s pause and ask, “Is this for my highest well being?” Wait and listen to your hut (heart + gut).

The mass media wants us to believe this is the most wonderful time of the year. 

Well, I say, let’s make it our own kind of wonderful. Connect to family and friends with your heart rather than your wallet. Share experiences rather than stuff. Spend time in gatherings when it feels right, politely say no when it doesn’t. 

Take control of your holiday season by listening to your internal guidance (intuition) instead of all the outside influences.

Sending you, peace, love and joy.
May you create a wonderful holiday … in your own way.