What matters, what to do, and how to feel grounded, safe and happy...
I'm writing this from a cozy cottage where my sweetheart and I get away for a couple of nights this time of year. We go hiking. We eat food. We just spend time together. And all is well. We just walked on a woodland trail as it got dark, hearing deer snorting in the distance, and then watched the moon rise through clouds. For me, this is the surest way to connect to what matters and to feel safe and happy. Even though it was dark and muddy once we turned back, I felt wonderful. The woods smelled amazing. Warm breezes followed us the whole time.
You may be experiencing something completely different. You might be with lots of people this time of year - it's the holidays after all - or you may be on your own. Either way, you can create what you need to feel good. Pay attention to ways you can turn toward love, peace and groundedness. If you're having trouble, go outside, look at the sky and breathe. Then touch the ground and breathe again. Slow down. Put your hand on your heart. Come back to yourself and marvel at this incredible collection of atoms that is you. Go forth and love.
If all of this is a little too ethereal for you, here are two favorite blog posts from my archives- one if you're craving alone time during the holidays, and one if you're craving more connection. Check them out for practical tips:
9 Ways to get quiet time during the Holidays
7 Ways to connectmore during the Holidays
And if you're still doing last-minute rush around things and you find yourself dropping hundreds of dollars in the 24 hours leading up to the big day, you might like this one:
8 Last-minute Holiday Money Traps and how to avoid them
Still feeling spinny? Breathe. Really. 10 slow breaths. Count them. While you breathe, you can say to yourself, "May I be filled with loving-kindness. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be happy."
Ahhh. That's better.