The Holidays: Hallelujah or Hum-Drum?

That time of year is upon us again: the holidays. It's a festive time of year and it's supposed to be the happiest time of year. For many people, though, it's a highly stressful time of year. When people come together, values, schedules, opinions, traditions and rituals collide. People get into and create drama and they have a hard time seeing the bigger picture. They can frequently fall out of love.

When I say fall out of love, I don't mean ending a relationship or friendship. Instead, I mean that people can forget that the most important, but also hardest part of the season: to love those around you and stay mentally and physically with them, even when things get rough.

The month of December is hard because all kinds of stresses come together to knock you sideways: cooking, shopping, school vacations, work responsibilities, in-laws, relatives, etc. It's also a time when you're trying to please other people too much and this kicks into overdrive if you have family staying with you. Frequently, you forget yourself in the rush of things. The best advice that I think anyone could offer during this time of year is to KEEP BREATHING. Deep, belly breaths that reach down into your very core will help you stay focused on yourself and take care of yourself by staying conscious and checked in with the people around you.

If you need to, take a break every once in awhile to refresh yourself and stay out of suffering. Don't let guilt overwhelm you; it's so easy for that to happen this time of year, but it forces your needs to disappear and be consumed by others. If you keep YOU on your To Do list, you will be much happier with everyone else around you. Do something special for yourself everyday of the season. Make it something that allows you a break and refreshes you at the same time. Give yourself 30 minutes of alone time, go get a massage, spend time with a friend that you hardly ever see, etc.

You only suffer if you choose to do so. Take yourself out of the potential for suffering by keeping your desires, intentions and commitments clear and celebrate yourself this season, along with everyone else around you!