Moving with Integrity & Kindness In The Holidays

Well, it's that time of year again. We are a mere two weeks away from Thanksgiving and the official beginning of the Holiday Season. This awareness may raise stress or joy, or a combination of the two. It is certainly a time of year to be mindful of. Things happen with speed and intensity, we can get overwhelmed before we even begin, or we can think we are doing fine until we slam face first into a wall of exhaustion. So much cooking, shopping, housewarming, space sharing, traveling and partying- combine this with cold, damp weather, heavier food and alcohol and we quickly have a recipe for total mental, emotional and physical overdrive. This is a time when plans, diets, healthy routines and good-intentions go flying out the window, but as soon as they do, the snowball affect begins. I can tell you all day that you need to take better care of yourself. You can tell yourself all day that you need to take better care of yourself. But if you are like me, you need to fully understand why before you commit to doing it. 

It all comes back to balance.
   (It always comes back to balance)

The holidays are deeply rooted in connection, family and relationships. Some of us thrive on relationships, some of us thrive on alone time. Regardless of where you stand on the relationship scale, you need a bit of both to stay balanced. These relationships and connections entails sharing: energy, space, gifts, food, time. All of these things that you are sharing is sharing a small part of yourself within it, eventually these small parts that you are sharing add up to big parts and if you aren't replenishing then you are draining.  What do you then fill this depleted void within with? Food, alcohol, possessions, illness, resentment and so much more of all the things that won't serve us. Imagine a pendulum swinging, a happy balanced life resides somewhere near the center, if you begin swinging to one end, you will swing to the other in an attempt to balance out. Excessive, unrequited giving results in excessive consumption. 

The healthiest relationships begin within.
(Everything begins within)

Many of you have lived your lives with the understanding that you must put other's well-being first, otherwise you are selfish. I believe that society in general has been brain-washed into believing that self care is an act for the entitled (it isn't). I also believe that many of you do know that when you take care of yourself, taking care of others is effortless, but you might be too nervous to try it for fear of letting those around you down. But this is your permission slip, signed with love, from the Universe: Love yourself, take care of yourself and make your plans with yourself at the center... because nobody else will. If you can't stick up for you, then what makes you think anyone else will?

True sharing comes from excess- excess love, joy, money. The holidays are no different. If you intend to share, then you must have something that you can share, i.e. your cup must be full and brimming. If you want to share love, you must radiate it first. You should never have to give from your own cup, rather, have so much that it naturally comes out for those around you to enjoy. So the big question is: what specific gifts do you have to give? 

Balance is defined individually and internally- it is a carefully crafted recipe that is decided by your internal conditional combined with your external situation. The internal condition is the uniqueness of you and your Soul's blueprint. The external situation is your holiday schedule. We must have awareness over one in order to take control over the other. So what is your gift? Is it Peace? Organization? Awareness? Are you the one getting shit done? Or are you the one entertaining everyone while others are preparing?  You all radiate different skills and gifts, so why are you trying to radiate love if love isn't your gift? It is when you try to radiate what you believe you should that you depletion comes into the horizon. The grass isn't greener on the other side and your gift is just as valid and useful as the gifts of everyone else around you. More importantly your gifts are your super powers, you have them in unlimited quantities, you can share your gifts for days and days without getting depleted because you are not giving them, you are radiating them. Nobody needs your energy, we all have the ability to obtain and sustain our own energy, but we do enjoy your gifts and your presence. 

So, what are your gifts? Think about it, look over your Soul Profile reading if you have had one, and if you haven't, maybes it's time you did. Your gifts are the skills that are innately yours. Your Soul Group defines the qualities and characteristics that are yours, your Energy Center defines the way that you share your characteristics and and gifts with us. 

Considering your gifts/skills and how you best share these gifts/skills should give you your basic blueprint for navigating the season. Sit down and be honest with yourself: how much time can you share with others? How much time do you need alone? Don't lose focus by idolizing those around you who are social butterflies, or have limitless energy, because that's not you and we love you for you. Be clear on who you are, what you have to offer, what you need so that you are able to give your best, and when your best starts to run dry you know it's time to step out and replenish.

Finally, get clear on how you replenish, because you do it differently than the person next to you. Even if you do get really good at sharing the gifts you have, it is still important to balance out your time with some self care. I'm sorry, but this does take some planning and commitment, but again you are committing to yourself. How much time do you have? Ten minutes? Two hours? An entire evening? Whatever it is, commit yourself to it fully. Put everything else to the side and give yourself a little pep-rally. Remember, you are worth it.  

We have all been here before. Some years it runs smoothly, some years it's messy and some years you think you're doing fine until you slam face-first into the wall. Let's not do that this year. Let's give. Let's celebrate. Let's let the greatest versions of yourself shine forth for those around you to enjoy and admire. Let's make this year a little bit different by making decisions that are best for you, then sit back and watch how everything else falls into place. 

Cheers Friends!
Chelsea

P.S. if you want some assistance road-mapping your holiday season I've got a few options for you...

• Personal Care Package - A 50-minute pep talk to review (or introduce) your Soul Blueprint in the context of the season. We will go over your Soul Group, Specializations and Energy Centers to get clear on the most successful way you can embrace the coming months. $45
• Managing Your Energy for the Holiday Season - A 90 minute workshop at Angela Phillips Center with restorative yoga and an overview of your energy center's guidelines for the holidays. You can read more here.
• Both Sides of the Coin - An online workshop exploring your Life Themes and Ideals in the context of what's going on in your life right now to help you better understand what your Soul is seeking to learn and where the potential for Ideal-aligned-growth lies. You can read more here.

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