This time of year is different than the rest. There is a buzz. There is an edginess. There is a bubble it seems. There are a lot of feelings of happiness and joy and there are also empty and low feelings. Walking down the street can feel really cold – not just from the weather but from people. There are more break-ins into homes and cars. There is somewhat of a magnifying glass on the negative things that pop up because it is supposed to be a time of presence, not presents and over consumerism, although that is seemingly what it turns into every year. Look at all the flyers that come in the mail.
Photo Credit: Darren Hull
Check the ads that pop up on your browser. See the signs everywhere. We are unconsciously getting swept into the chaos that is the holidays. I don’t love this feeling and am the first one to admit that I get caught up in the idea of holiday sales and an awesome deal on the latest and greatest thing. I always, always say to my clients and yoga students that I just can’t wait for some days off with my boyfriend and family. I love my job and for anyone who knows someone who loves their job, you will know they sometimes need a hard pause from it. Time off is a refuel, and as the years go by, the more important it becomes for me to take the down time – especially in this season!
Photo Credit: Roz Huber
Energy doesn't just flow where attention goes, energy flows where intention goes. It's really easy for your attention to get caught up during the holidays; It’s all about intention. Look more closely at the first part of the word intention – in. You have to go in, into, inward to yourself and decide what kind of energy you want around you. If you give out good energy, you will get good energy back. Sometimes you won’t, but most times you will. It’s all about a commitment to putting out the energy that feels best inside of you. By nature, some of us are more positive and upbeat than others. Some of us are a little more reserved and quiet than the rest (and how perfect is that). This doesn’t mean that just because you wake up a little grumpy that everyone and everything around you will be grumpy for the rest of time. It means you can get real about the fact that you don’t feel quite right or that something is a little off, then follow through with the intention inside of you that you want to feel-good energy surrounding you. When you do this, you will see negativity show up and it might trigger you. It might trigger you to become impatient, judgemental, distant, uninspired and disconnected with a lack of understanding. This is the time to put your energy-wants to the test and show up with the energy you wish for more of.
Photo Credit: Darren HullNovember Project
We all have a choice of what we put out into the world. Be the type of person you want to be around, then you will have yourself to rely on. Be a good person and good people will show up for you. Be the best version of yourself and the best version of your life will emerge. Give back to your community without the intent to show off that you gave back and just watch how that energy will flow right back to you in countless ways. Spend time with your grandparents while you still can, they have a stern dose of infinite wisdom and a wealth of stories that will pull you into any moment and give you an appreciation for what you have. If you can’t visit grandparents, carve out time to see your parents or FaceTime them. If you don’t have your parents anymore or you can’t see them, write a letter or sit in meditation for 15-30 minutes with your favourite image of them in your mind. THAT is the stuff that will fulfill you rather than the material stuff. Create your own tradition of giving someone your time who might not expect it. Turn your phone off. Seriously. Do things that you believe in. Leave what you don’t believe in behind. Be yourself and know that getting what you give is surely a product of giving from your heart. If you can, you must. And we all can, so we all must.
“Time is simply how you live your life” – Craig Sager
Sending you love + patience this holiday season,
xx
Roz
