5 Ways to Make the Best Out of this Holiday Season

This year, I chose to quit my Corporate job to begin my own business for several reasons. One of the reasons was to spend more time with my husband and kids, as well as to be able to travel to visit family live 815 miles away.  This year, we had planned on spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with family in Buffalo, NY for the first time in over 10 years.  

Fast forward to heading into the 8th month of this pandemic.  By this time, many of us have had to cancel plans  for Spring Breaks, Summer vacations, and family gatherings.  Now we are heading into the winter Holidays and we are having to make the same sacrifices.  We are heading into the New Year with even more uncertainty about how long this pandemic will be impacting our lives.  So with all of this uncertainty, what can we do to make the best out of the hand that has been dealt to us throughout this Holiday Season.  This actually reminds me of part of the Serenity Prayer which states "Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".  Truly, the only thing we are in control of is how we respond to any situation.  

Here are 5 ways to create the best experience out of this Holiday Season during this pandemic:

• Mindset. Shifting your mindset is more powerful than you might think.  Have you checked in with yourself lately as to how you are viewing your current situation?  Are you seeing constant obstacles that are preventing you from living the life you crave?  Don't get me wrong here...I know, for sure, there are many things that are preventing us from doing the things we truly want to do, but are those the only things you are allowing yourself to focus on?  The shift here is an internal one, that only you can choose to engage.  Are you willing to shift towards looking at opportunities and possibilities of what you are able to do during this time?  
• Focus on Opportunities.  Now that you have chosen to shift your mindset, let us look at the endless possibilities.  Possibly cooking an amazing and huge Thanksgiving dinner to share with those who are in need.  Or choosing a family in need to purchase gifts for during this holiday season.  What about a camping trip to get grounded in nature and connected with your immediate family or those you live with.  I have been taking my kids hiking each weekend to visit a new waterfall in our area.  It has been an adventure for all of us, gets us out in nature, and keeps us physically active.  It has been amazing!!
• Intention.  Set your daily intentions.  Without daily intentions, you may be aimlessly drifting through this season.  As Dr. Wayne Dyer states it "Our intention creates our reality".  When we intentionally set forth to enjoy this holiday season, despite the unforeseen circumstances, we are able to create the reality.  We can set an intention of personal growth, spiritual growth, physical wellness, mindful expansion.  Our first step is to understand what our goal is, then we set our daily intention to focus on that specific growth.  
• Laugh.  Engage in anything you can to make you laugh.  Talk with a friend and laugh away the time.  Read a funny book.  Take time to listen to or watch your favorite comedian.  Participate in laughing yoga...yes...there is such a thing as laughing yoga and its so awkward and amazing!  Watch your favorite funny Holiday movie.  I will never get tired of watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.  Not only is it hilarious, it reminds me of my father who passed away last year.  I laugh hysterically every single time I watch it, and it brings back memories of how my father did the same! 
• Connect.  Be intentional with connecting with those around you and those who are physically distanced from you.  This is the benefit of modern technology-there are SO many ways to engage with others now a days.  I love FaceTiming with my family in Buffalo.  We can also play games with each other through the endless amount of apps such as Houseparty.  You can also connect with those in your house through turning off electronics and learning different ways to connect, such as board games, building forts, going on hikes, and cooking a meal together, amongst many others activities.  Connect with your neighbors.  This can be keeping your social distance while you talk across the way.  It can be offering a smile to others in the local grocery store-and before you even make the statement that others can't see your smile because of your mask...just remember that our eyes smile when our mouth smiles.  Hold a door for someone.  Thank someone.  Let whoever you can know they matter.    

 This Holiday Season is going to be wildly different than last years for all of us.  How you spend yours is completely up to you!

Sending much love and light, LJ