I know the holidays can be a crazy, busy time of the year. 

Therefore I give you permission...

- to put YOU on the top of your “to do” list,

- to gift yourself with some extra rest and downtime,

- and to fully realize that you don’t have to do it all (even if you think you should be able to!).

When you feel yourself starting to stress or worry, here’s a tip that works for me.

Go to Gratitude!

Yes, just start rattling off (in your head or out loud) things that you are grateful for. Or if you like to journal, write them down.

And if you have trouble getting to gratitude from your tailspin of stress and worry, it is really easy.

Just follow these steps:

• STOP what you are doing.
   
• BREATHE - take a deep breath.
   
• MOVE - change position (if you are sitting, stand up; if you are standing, sit down or turn around)
   
• GRATITUDE - express gratitude, start listing things… even the basics like food, air to breathe, a roof over your head, clothing, water, indoor plumbing, heat, etc. if you have a hard time thinking of “bigger things” to be grateful for.
   

It isn’t important that you come up with “big” things to be grateful for.

Simply be grateful for the everyday things that are in your life, things you like about yourself and the other people in your life.

You can even start being grateful for your body. I love doing this because I feel so good afterwards and my body feels more appreciated.

Some examples:

“I am grateful for my eyes for giving me the ability to see. I am grateful for my eyes because they allow me to read the books that bring me joy, watch movies I like, see the beauty in my life, see my child’s face, my cat play, my dog greet me… etc.”

“I am grateful for my mouth for it allows me to speak and to eat foods I love.”

Now you try it….

What is important is that you mean it and feel it.

If you aren’t grateful for something, don’t say that you are. Your mind and soul know it isn’t true.

So find things that you can truly be and feel grateful for… no matter how “small” or seemingly “insignificant” or common it may be.

The feeling and the truly being grateful for something is what lifts your vibration.

Expressing gratitude can put you in a state of joy,

make you smile, and bring tears of happiness to your eyes.

It will shift your energy.

When you notice you are calm and no longer feeling stressed or worried, you can now approach the situation from a neutral, centered place and make wiser choices.

May you freely give yourself the gift of gratitude… daily! You will feel better and your life will improve in unexpected ways.

With love & gratitude,
Karen