We are coming upon the holidays again.
A few years ago I found myself pretty burned out during the
holidays and everything they entailed.
My experience was that I was stuck for a couple of months
doing all the things I really don't enjoy and I couldn't wait for January to
roll around for me to resume my life and spiritual routine.
Here is a list of some of the items that didn't work for me:
1. Too much food and events/parties centered on eating and
drinking too much
(Not to mention the guilt trips from fellow participants if
one didn't want to participate)
2. Expectation and stress levels surrounding gift giving and
receiving
3. Meeting with people I really didn't want to see
4. Collective stress that could be felt all throughout
public places
5. Not enough evidence of spiritual energy as a center/focal
point of celebration
I got so annoyed that I decided to skip the holidays
altogether. There were no lights and no decorations, I didn't send out holiday
cards, informed friends and family that I would like to skip the exchange of
gifts, was a no show to any social event and one year I escaped to Costa Rica
to a Yoga Retreat for a couple of weeks and got back early January once the
whole hoopla was over.
My holiday boycott lasted four years. That was the time
frame my system needed to detoxify from all the annoyance and to start missing
all the good stuff that holidays have to offer.
I started to see the beauty in the lights and the
decorations again, appreciated the seasonal changes, the heartfelt exchanges
with loved ones, the opportunity to celebrate Spirit and a time to be
reflective and grateful.
As much as I developed a longing for the special time during
the year, I had no intention to go back to all the things I didn't enjoy, so I
decided to reclaim the holidays and celebrate them in accordance to my heart
and soul.
Here are some of my new guidelines:
1.No Stress!
2. Spirit comes first!
3. Any decorations and events have to be supported by point
1 and 2
4. I make plenty of time for meditation, prayer and
soul-searching rituals by myself and to share with my friends and family
5. I choose to share holiday greetings and gifts only if
they are heartfelt expressions and avoid auto piloted behavior
6. I allow each year to be different and spend some time
meditating before the holidays on what feels right for this year
So, if you happen to be tired, burned out and dread the
thought of another holiday season, give yourself a chance for a holiday
makeover.
If you fear the rejection of loved ones, I can guarantee you
that more people are burned out than you think and they might actually
appreciated some changes.
Happy, blessed holidays to all of you! May you and your
loved ones enjoy a peaceful season!
