5 Holy Tips to Make Your Holiday Season Authentic and Fulfilling
How to truly enjoy the end-of-the-year festivities without depleting yourself.
The coming holiday season stresses out a lot of people. Many of my clients feel out of balance between all the obligations and tensions that come with big family gatherings. They often feel the need to fake their own state of mind or emotions and impress upon others. They get overwhelmed by the stress and conflict that these coming festivities cause.
Spiritually, the end-of-the-year holidays are all about joy, peace and gratitude for what has been in the past year, what is now and what will be in the New Year to come. Many people forget to set their intention on what they really want to live and experience during this festive season. We are so busy buying expensive food, presents and clothes that we miss out on the essentials.
John C. Maxwell calls it intentional living and Deepak Chopra speaks about giving real meaning to your experience by guiding your intention and attention.
“Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” Jose Ortega y Gasset
What exactly do you intend to focus on in this coming week?
Here are 5 tips on how to make your holiday season authentic and meaningful.
1. Stay centred and take time to set your specific daily intention.
“The best way to ensure you achieve the greatest satisfaction out of life is to behave intentionally.” Deborah Day
By practising meditation and abdominal breathing, you can feel for yourself which intention you want to set for the day. And where you will put your attention when gathering around the tree with your close family and friends.
Are you going to focus on absence and lack of things or on abundance? Will you spread words of love and connection or words of jealousy and doubt?
Are you going to be reactive in your responses or stay calm and centred?
This is your choice and your choice only, choose wisely.
2. Stay away from toxic talk or people.
“Let go of people who dull your shine, spoil your spirit and bring you drama. Cancel your subscription to their issues.” Steve Maraboli
We all know them and still, we often engage with them in long conversations, although it depletes us. People who gossip and criticise others, who have negative discussions that have no meaning and who wallow in their never-ending drama.
Do not join in and keep your distance.
3. Stay within your internal and external boundaries.
“Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choices.” Gerard Manly Hopkins
Do not let other people ignore or change your own boundaries. You have the right to set your limits and protect yourself. Boundaries are set clearly and firmly to ask for respect and to respect yourself along the way.
Use your physical, mental and emotional boundaries as well as your energy and time limits. It is up to you to decide how you practice your conscious self-care. Let nobody tell you otherwise.
4. Stay empathic instead of proving your right.
“True contentment comes with empathy.” Tim Finn
With family members, we often go into old habits of heavy discussions of the past in which we want to “get even” and prove our right and “their wrong.” Why not stay calm and listen with an empathic ear to find out their true feelings and needs? You do not have to overpower anybody to stay authentic in your power. Just listen. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
5. Stay in the moment and enjoy, again and again.
“If we are not fully ourselves in the present moment, we miss everything.” Thich Naht Hanh
Take it easy on yourself, leave out all the “should” and “don’t”. Just relax and enjoy every minute of this coming season because it will be gone before you know it and life will never be the same again.
These 5 tips can be extended to your normal daily life if you want to. You can live your life as if every day is a holy day.
Wishing you all a fulfilling Holiday Season!
Are you looking for a weekly dose of inspiration to stay true to yourself and live your best life?
• Subscribe to our weekly newsletter of inspirational insights from the greatest minds ever!
• Let the wisdom from philosophers, writers and influential figures encourage you to embrace your uniqueness, overcome obstacles and live an authentic life.
• Each quote will come with my comments to help and inspire you on your journey towards authenticity.
• Receive a weekly reminder to be authentic and live your best life.