With the cooler weather comes more activity as we gear up for the Holidays. Staying focused and calm is the greatest gift we can offer ourselves and our family. I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays. From October to January I am busy with ideas, family get together and the shopping for and creating of gifts.
It's a time of wonderful energy and positive thoughts.
It hasn't always been that way for me. In my 20's I was burned out and ready for the holidays to be over before I was half into them. This was due to my creating stress and chaos.
With the years of experience I have learned a very important lesson about the holidays. The greatest gift I can offer is joy, peace and calm.
We start early now, don't leave so many things to last minute. Due to having a large family and many friends we bake or make a lot of gifts. Candies, cookies and bread from my kitchen are delights to the senses while I cook with my youngest daughter's help.
Since I sew, quilt, make dolls and jewelry; I always have a wonderful selectin of handcrafted gifts for each person on my list.
My three oldest children are grown and enjoy a gift of Mama cooking a huge meal like I did when they were kids. We have so much fun at these. Now the children bring friends and mates and a grandson to these huge feasts. The laughter and joy shared is the greatest gift I receive.
Taking time for myself helps me to stay calm and focused as well as being sure I eat more protein to balance the added sugar and high energy. A good book in the evening helps me to calm down after a day of shopping and baking.
Take time to get lots of hugs, this keeps me focused on what it's all about. By staying aware of the love I feel for my family and friends the frenzy doesn't get hold of me like it used to do.
Space out the holiday events, especially if you have young children in the home. They need time to come down from the candy and energy high and get lots of rest and quite time.
Make the holiday season a time of peace and good will.. enjoy the love and tame the chaos.
