The Holiday Season is already upon us. It seems Halloween was just a week or two ago, and now it is almost Thanksgiving! Traditonally, right after the day of feasting with family of friends, the holiday shopping season is kicked off with the biggest shopping day of the year.
How is it that we go from a day of Thanksgiving to a month or so of frenzied shopping, entertaining, and over all busyness? Is there a way we can put the Thanks back into the season, starting with the traditonal day of Thanksgiving?
Having a feeling of gratitude is one of the best stress reducers there is. It can lead to a sense of peace and happiness. It can take us away from a sense of lack to a sense of having.
What if you are feeling resentful about disappointments, and can't think of anything to be grateful about? Start with the small things. Say, the way the sunlight filters in on a warm autumn day. Or the sound of a bird chirping. Or the fragrance of trees you walk under during a short walk. Little by little, you will notice more things to feel grateful for, and peace and gratitude will fill more of your day.
When you have an upcoming family or other social event to go to, it can feel stressful to remember some of the disappointments these events have led to in the past. You may even feel you can predict who will misbehave at the upcoming event, and how uncomfortable it will feel. Instead, you can simply expect and accept that things will not be perfect. Focus on some of the fun things that will be going on, and on some of the people you will feel genuinely happy to see. Feel grateful that you will be sharing time with them.
If you are hosting the get together, or if you will be bringing some food to share, it is all too easy to get caught up in the stress of planning, and overworking yourself to make things just right. Instead, try simplifying the meal and the tasks, and focus on anticipating a joyful time of sharing each other's company.
Gratitude is closely related to mindfulness. Mindfulness is an approach of being fully present in each moment. It is a peaceful feeling to focus on one thing at a time, rather than multitasking. By streamlining the amount of planning and work, you are free to fully enjoy the moment. You may spend an allotted amount of time baking, and really enjoy that you are just baking. You can be mindful of the aromas, the textures, the colors of the food you are preparing. You can be grateful for these moments of peaceful concentration.
Practice gratitude and mindfulness gradually during Thanksgiving. Make a committment to make this practice a part of your daily life, even just a little bit, through the holiday season. You will probably have a happier time, and may even take this new practice into the New Year with you.
Peace,
Kate
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3 comments:
I think that holidays are filled with pleasant memories, and we are disappointed when the present experience don't match the past real or unreal memories.
Dear Kate,
I really love your blog and will bookmark it as a favorite to read. You have this keen sense of what is really important in life and how to de-stress the stress. It was very refreshing reading some of your work. My only "complaint" is that you did not invite me on your outing on 7-7-07, which was my birthday. LOL!!!
Keep up the great work!
Your friend and colleague from afar,
Brenda C.
Very nice Kate. Great reminder. I may steal, I mean borrow, some ideas in a couple of months. I like your blog. Mike Miller, PhD
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