To avoid any holiday drama and stress, there are a few tips that are so good they may have you caroling in the snow! Visualize What You Want To Happen We have a tendency to focus on the negative, anything bad we think might happen.
Is Aunt Fran going to force me to eat some of her fruit cake again this year? I sure hope I don't burn the gravy again like I did 5 years ago-that was devastating! What we focus on increases and changes the way we see our experience.
Plus, we think we're always right so we look for ways to prove it.
For example, if you think the weather is going to be bad, the roads are going to be crowed and you're not going to be able to get the Christmas gifts you wanted, you might not notice that three other days of the week are going to be sunny (great days for traveling), how there are less cars on the road, and how all of the gifts you wanted were on sale.
You'll be so focused on what's wrong, you won't see the good.
Give yourself permission to think about good things that can happen, positive experiences you would like to create for your family this year and notice how it will change how you feel and what you see.
Set Clear Intentions When you set an intention, you are sending energy.
A great example of this is when you're hungry.
Your brain is sending signals to the rest of your body to get something to eat.
You begin to think about foods you want, what you have, if you're going to buy something or not.
Your energy has been directed to accomplish the task of eating.
Setting an intention is similar.
You are making a declaration to yourself and the world that you are open and ready to receive that which you have asked for.
Set an intention to enjoy the holidays.
Write it on a post it note and stick it on the dashboard of your car, or on your computer.
That way, when your Aunt Fran begins to comment on the extra pounds you've picked up since your last visit, remember your intention, resist the urge to comment on her mustache, and simply respond with, It's wonderful to look this good at any size, and remove yourself from the conversation.
When you don't set an intention for what you would like to experience, you will receive your default intention which is usually the opposite of what you want.
Be mindful of what you want and you have a better chance of experiencing it.
Trust Yourself You've visualized what you want to happen, you've developed a problem solving strategy, you've set clear intentions and now you know that you're not always an innocent bystander.
Relax.
You're ready.
Trust yourself to know what to do and say.
Be fully present and enjoy yourself.
Get in the habit of expecting good things to happen.
Break the bad habit of thinking and expecting negative things to happen.
Appreciate the Moments It would be great to believe that everyone you're surrounded with this Christmas will be able to attend during the next holiday season.
Appreciate the moments you share with the ones you love, even the upsets.
Take lots of good pictures and videos, tell them how much they mean to you, even if they get on your nerves, and enjoy yourself.
You will never be able to re-create this moment again.
Appreciate it while it's here.