The holiday season is upon us with all the joys and stresses of family, friends and good food. How will you receive all the blessings and joy of this wonderful time of year without gaining the increased stress or weight?
One way to usher in more joy is to Live with Thanks. We hear as small children to give thanks is good. By wording, this implies that others deserve thanks and we should give it to them…but what about receiving thanks. As a suggestion for this season consider giving yourself thanks everyday and asking for more blessings.
Try this exercise:
Every morning when you wake up, sit silently for 1 minute (or 30 seconds for you over achievers). Think about what in yourself you are thankful for having. It might be seemingly obvious like…”I am thankful for being alive,” or “able to see.” Or it could be deeper like “I am thankful for how compassionate I am with my children,” or “how well I conveyed my opinions in the big business meeting yesterday.” Keep a running list by your bedside of these thankful thoughts.
At any point during the holiday season, read or remember what is on your list. When you have a choice to make, like whether or not to have that second slice of pie, or how lovingly to accept Aunt Ethel’s comments on how you should control your children more, think back to your list. Accept the feelings of thanks from this list into your heart. Now make that decision. See how that process of Living with Thanks affects your choices and how you feel about yourself for making those Thank-filled choices.
Shelley Radziminski
Life Spirit Coaching
(858) 578-4466