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Volume
IV, Issue 5
December 2007
Happy holiday season to each one of you - cherished members of my family,
close friends, clients and colleagues!
It is always so hard to believe when December rolls around that the year is
coming to an end and soon the winter holidays will be in full swing! The
hustle and bustle of the "commercial holidays" can at times make
us feel an inordinate amount of stress to
get everything done, inadequacy to
do things perfectly, and even worry about
how things will turn out once family members start gathering together in
celebration. The anticipation alone can be enough to drive us crazy. It
seems, however, that in American life these days, these kind of holiday
"rituals" are par for the course, even expected.
This season, I am making an effort to change my own participation in the
holidays. Of course, with a baby on the way, it's more important than ever
for me to think about what really matters. Last year, I would not have
hesitated to run out for last minute gifts, decorations, food or other
items, braving rush-hour traffic, grouchy salespeople, hurried customers,
spending a small fortune and making myself bananas in the process to ensure
the occasion was "perfect." Today, I am consciously trying to
stay centered in midst of the swirling holiday energy around me. My yoga
practice has been a huge source of grounding - both in pregnancy, and as an
antidote to holiday pressures. Getting back to my breath, feeling strong in
my own body, and releasing energy back to the universe fills me up with a
whole different kind of satisfaction. I find that when I do what truly
matters for me and the baby, everything else falls into place
naturally...and perfectly all on its own.
Sure, in forgoing holiday shopping at the malls on weekends, I do feel like
I am missing out a bit on the energy of the season. But, I can easily
recapture that essence at home by playing my favorite holiday music CDs,
cooking a delicious pot of soup and lounging around in my PJs. One look at
my lovely little Christmas tree covered in lights and ornaments from my
childhood gives me a rush of excitement as I prepare to see the holidays
through the eyes of my child.
My holiday wish for each of you is this: may you find one crazy thing this
season that can be substituted with something that really resonates with you. Embrace a gentler, easier, more
soulful holiday tradition with your whole heart, mind and body and see what
a difference it makes in everything and everyone around you.
Namaste.
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