with Grace and GratitudeBy Shelly Wilson
December’s arrival may stir up feelings of days gone by as well as worries related to holidays. As we recognize, the holiday season can be a very stressful time for a lot of people. This stress may involve shopping for gifts and the associated financial aspects as well as the interaction with family during get-togethers. A gamut of emotions may arise as we reflect on previous holiday experiences and even remember loved ones who are no longer with us in physical form.
As always, we do have the power within us to create the reality we seek, and that does include setting our intentions for a peaceful holiday season. Instead of feeling stressed and overwhelmed, we can consciously and intentionally choose how we wish to feel as we approach any interaction or experience. The following words will guide you in grounding and centering your energy, which will help you feel more balanced, stable, and focused.
To begin, take a moment and breathe in deeply. As you focus on your breath, allow any extraneous thoughts to gently and easily move through your mind. Know that there is nothing pressing at this moment that needs your attention. Allow yourself to become fully present, right here, right now.
Envision beautiful emerald green energy at your heart and begin intentionally breathing in the energies of peace, love, ease, compassion, and unity as you exhale any heavier, lower vibrational emotions, including fear, worry, or doubt.
We’ll begin with visualizing your legs as tree roots growing deep within the earth to ground your energy. These intentional energetic roots are extending upwards into your root chakra, and a vine is wrapping around your legs, anchoring your energy to Mother Earth. This vine continues to extend upwards into your sacral chakra, your solar plexus chakra, and into your heart chakra. Pure white light is flowing downwards into your crown chakra, into your third eye chakra, into your throat chakra, and is now resting in your heart chakra. You are now grounded to the earth below and to the light above.
Next, bring your awareness to your abdominal area, which is your solar plexus chakra. This is your power center. This energy center can be affected by the energies surrounding you. Centering involves connecting to the peace within. To do so, visualize white light at your core and then see that white light shifting to yellow as you take a few conscious breaths. This intentional shift of color reminds you that you are a confident, courageous, and empowered being with the ability to make conscious choices. As you attain and maintain the peace within, know that you can respond rather than react to external circumstances. The power lies within you.
Once again, breathe in deeply as you exhale audibly while basking in the peace, love, and gratitude you feel in this moment. Be mindful of your breath as you become aware of your physical body. Know that you are love, and you are loved. And so it is.
Practicing self-love and self-care every day and not just during the holiday season will create a ripple effect throughout our life. Rather than isolating yourself from others, consciously choose to empower and honor yourself with your choices. Since you are mind, body, and spirit, it is essential to take care of your physical and energetic health as well as your mental/emotional well-being. Rather than simply survive, you can actually thrive during this time with grace and gratitude. In addition, here are a few tips to energetically assist you with having a conscious and stress-free holiday season:
Tip #1 – Be Here Now
Become aware if you are dwelling in the past or constantly thinking about the future. Now is where we create. Spending time in the reflection of past experiences and considering our future is part of our human life experience. We just don’t want to miss out on the present moment.
Tip #2 – Just Breathe
Breath is life-force energy. We breathe naturally/autonomously. When we breathe consciously, we have the ability to modify the energy within ourselves, which, in turn, can affect the energy around us. As you deem necessary, intentionally become aware of your inhalations and your exhalations. Breathe in peace, love, ease, and compassion, and then exhale fear, worry, and doubt. When you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stressed, uncertain, or just a bit wonky, remember just to breathe!
Tip #3 – Invest in You
Take time for yourself and honor your emotions. Choosing to make yourself a priority is essential. Practicing self-love and self-care are extremely important for our physical health and mental/emotional well-being. Intentionally investing time and energy in your well-being will benefit you and those around you.
Tip #4 – Honor your Emotions
In each moment, allow yourself to feel the emotion as it arises. You have to feel it in order to heal it and clear it. Rather than setting the feeling aside for later when it’s more convenient for you to feel it, begin a practice of honoring the emotion at the moment. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you!
Tip #5 – Don’t Take Things Personally
What other people say and do is a reflection or projection of their own personal reality. The same is true for you. Communicate clearly to the best of your ability, and don’t take things personally.
Tip #6 – Cocoon for Clarity
In essence, cocooning involves pulling your energy in as you become more aware of energy drains, whether it be people, places, or things. Gather your energy and intentionally bring it back to you. Tune in and listen to the guidance you are receiving. Cocooning may also involve resting/sleeping and establishing boundaries.
Tip #7 – Strive for Balance
Take time for yourself as you take time for others. Balance work with play, balance giving with receiving. There is no need to assign a ratio for the balance. Simply choose to recognize when adjustments may be necessary.
Tip #8 – Be Thankful Gratitude assists with the flow of abundance. Being grateful for the blessings within the challenges is essential as well. As often as you can, choose to express your gratitude for that which you are thankful for.
