The holidays can pull us in all directions and pressure us to do things that aren’t self-valuing. Here are 5 gifts you can give yourself when you’re feeling torn,
1. Respect your material resources. If you don’t have the resources, look for practical ways to make them available. If the universe does not back your plan, respect its answer.
2. Respect your energy. Devote it to things that value and nurture YOU. Keep a watchful eye on your time and energy when you are tempted to over-function. Bear in mind that fatigue can undermine your capacity to think clearly about what is in your best interest.
3. Restrain your reactivity. Know your pattern of expectations and pessimism, and develop a healthy degree of suspicion when your feeling state is replicating the old familiar, out-of-power pattern.
4. Restrain your thoughts. Don’t go down the “rabbit hole” of your fears, attachments, reactions, disappointments, etc. Stay here! Stay present! Pain is a part of life. However, suffering as you wander ceaselessly through the maze of the mind is a choice.
5. Restrain your urge to speculate about what the future will hold. Recognize that unintended consequences may result from your choices and that, more often than not, these unintended consequences are actually nothing to worry about.
The bottom line is, “Put your own oxygen mask on first, before helping others.” Be your own best friend during the holidays, and take really good care of yourself. If you do, chances are you’ll avoid the pitfalls and have little to regret later on.
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