May beauty, light and love of the season spread throughout your life always, in all ways.
This video is a perfect example of living in the unscriptedness of life on life’s terms. I had a very special cameraperson (my daughter) take the video.
With love, xoxo
Wendy
In a world that appears to have gone crazy, finding peace can be challenging. With all that’s happening currently, Ta daa, it’s the HOLIDAZE! A time when consumerism is on steroids ~ we are bombarded with images of physically perfect, loving families, happy couples, joyous kids, lots of gorgeously wrapped presents, delicious looking foods, at family gatherings in beautiful locations with amazing soundtracks playing in the background. I don’t know about you but a glossy, superpackaged, perfection, is not what exists in my house or in the homes of many I know. There’s a mix of blessing and mess, the awareness of perfection and lots of growth opportunities. In contrast to the veneer of Madison Avenue American dream perfection we see broadcast, is the current political campaign with a misogynist, bigoted candidate getting press, threats of terrorism, water drought, GMO’s, police brutality, man’s inhumanity against man, woman, child, and, the Earth. Imagine if the good works of caring people being done in the world was broadcast on a loop in the media so people can see that no matter what the corporate media would have us believe, there are a lot of good people doing good things.
What can you do to stay sane and serene in the midst of seeming insanity? I recommend that you intentionally choose to turn your focus away from the external world and go within to your inner sanctuary to find fortification from the man-made insanity. Nature conspires to support you as she created these months of longer darkness to support our turning away from the daily activities. Below is my inspirational tool kit that I turn to to bring me back to truth and serenity.
Here are 12 SOUL-SOOTHING STEPS to SERENITY during the HOLIDAZE (and beyond)1. Gratitude. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for everything. What you focus on, expands.
2. Affirmative Prayer. Pray alone or with a prayer partner. Feel free to send me your prayer requests.
3. Cultivate compassion. Be present to another’s experiences, without ennabling them or taking their feelings on, trying to change them, and, hold them with love and acceptance.
6. Cherish the connection between children and the elders
7. Get right with yourself. Clean your inner house. Make a list of things you’ve done well and those you don’t feel good about. Look to see if you’ve been out of integrity, unkind, thoughtless, judgmental, and make amends, beginning with yourself. Amends means that you consciously change your behavior; it’s different than an apology.
8. Do an inventory of your friendships. Look at your expectations – are they realistic or unreasonable? What kind of friend are YOU? True friends don’t care about what you “do,” they care about how you’re doing. Friends walk with you, not in front and not behind. Friends call each other on their sh**. They’re there when things are in flux and they celebrate each others’ successes. Their words and actions match consistently. Pay attention to what they do, not what they say. I appreciate what Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of.
9. Unplug – Give yourself a retreat from all technology for a full 24 hours once a week.
Graphic: Terry Doherty
10. Meditate. No matter what. Plan your day to include it.
11. Move your body every day
12. GOD – Go Out Doors
What Soul-Soothing Steps will you take to Stay Serene during the “Holidaze” and beyond?
You may have some that I didn’t mention. Please share them.
