Holiday Cheer

'Tis the holiday time
and we're definitely prone
to the highs and the lows
and a craving for home
as the fires burn bright
as the chimney's pump smoke
as the year disappears
and the new one brings hope
give attention to those
who need more than they say
the best gifts
come in bundles
of love
light
and
play.

Hi, everybody. I hope you're well! So, as the holidays get closer I want to help you feel a little less like a kernel of popcorn being heated up by an indistinguishable, uncomfortably warm source and on the verge of explosion, a side of toxic butter ready to add a drizzle.

Instead, a little bit of calm and centering. A knowing that a day at a time the following ideas are true:

*You'll get through the parties you attend. You will socialize, look cute in your holiday outfits and don't need to get wasted or overeat. You will choose to say Yes to invitations you want and No to ones you don't want.

*You'll get over not being invited to certain parties and when you see photos on Facebook, you'll be okay and at peace with other people's joy.

*You will find the right gifts for the special people in your life and not give any energy to believing a material present makes or breaks any relationship of any variety. That the thought really does count and the gesture of giving is enough.

*You'll be reflective of 2011 with a compassionate intention to love and honor yourself for all your efforts, embrace your imperfections, celebrate your successes and get excited about what's to come in 2012.

*If you're Jewish, you will joyfully and without guilt allow yourself to add any Xmas stuff to your somewhat empty apartment if it suits. (Ok, that one was for me. Ok, these all are for me but you know that!)

*You will realize that if you do find yourself surrounded by other kernels of popcorn popping that you have every right to walk your two little feet out of the situation and find a way to relieve your stress. Breathe. Relax. Drink cold water. Don't hesitate to separate.

*If you're single, you will feel any feelings that come up which are illustrative of your desire for a family of your own, down to the little dog wearing reindeer garb on his head or some kind of weird projection onto the mannequin families inside the Holiday windows at Sacks who look happy, yet tortured. Whatever floats your boat or feeds your fantasy is fine for a bit, but then you will come back to reality. THEN, maybe you will see that your reality is really f'in good. Maybe it has never been better. If the amount of love in your life exceeds what you need you are blessed.

If the amount of love you give yourself is enough to keep you thriving, creating, giving and in close relationships with wonderful people, you have enough. You really do!

Wishing you an openhearted holiday season!

Love,
Lindsay