Keeping the Important Things, Important
In today’s post, I want to acknowledge and bring to light that this time of year can bring up all sorts of moods and feelings.
The holiday season can be a warm and exciting time, celebrated with people we love, seasonal treats that only come around this time of year and awe inspiring decorations (I live in the southwest, and luminarias lit on Christmas Eve throughout the city is such a magical thing to see and experience).
This time of year can also bring with feelings of EXCITEMENT and E X P A N S I O N as we prepare for a new year to come, a fresh slate to work on goals and create what we desire to experience.
This time of year can also bring up feelings of sadness, loneliness, grief, guilt, worry, stress, disappointment.
All for various reasons.
I get it, and hold space for this as well.
So what I want to convey is that this month, this time of year, this ‘season’ gets to be whatever you need it to be.
It’s ok and it’s welcome.
If you lost a loved one this year and you’re feeling grief, it’s ok.
If your worried that you thought you’d be in a different place by now and aren’t, it’s ok.
If you simply don’t feel like decorating and getting involved in all the things because it feels overwhelming/stressfull/too much, it’s ok.
You always get to do you. You always get to choose. You get to be a human, having a human experience.
I invite you to allow this ‘season’ to be what you need it to be, and to allow it to be ok.
The second thing that’s beautiful to consider for this season is what’s important to you?
This consideration is great year round, to guide us and keep us from getting unintentionally wrapped up in other’s plans/agendas. And it’s truly important at this time of year to keep from getting swept up in stress/overwhelm we’d rather sidestep.
In January’s post, I referenced the wisdom in the book ‘The Top Five Regrets of the Dying’ by Bronnie Ware because I view it as a powerful reference point of how to live a full and fulfilling life.
If you haven’t heard of this book, Bronnie spent years caring for those at the end of their lives, and she noticed a pattern of 5 common regrets they had:
I WISH THAT I'D LET MYSELF BE HAPPIER
I WISH I'D STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY FRIENDS
I WISH I HAD THE COURAGE TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS
I WISH I HADN'T WORKED SO HARD
I WISH I'D HAD THE COURAGE TO LIVE LIFE TRUE TO MYSELF, NOT THE LIFE OTHERS EXPECTED OF ME.
So before getting caught up and overwhelmed by the hustle & bustle of the holiday season,
take some time to get clear on what’s important to you: How do you want this season to feel?
It can be both/and.
There is no ‘perfect way’ to experience this time of year.
It gets to be completely yours.
If it feels good, take some time to think and/or journal on what’s important to you currently in your life.
Then take stock if these are in your calendar;
and if not, we can keep those important things important by scheduling them in.
Calls, texts, letters and cards to loved ones, letting them know we’re thinking of them and love/appreciate them.
Time to move, fuel and hydrate our bodies so we feel our best.
Time to rest, recharge and soothe our minds, spirits, and nervous systems as needed.
Time to get out into nature to enjoy the world around us.
Time to do whatever it is that light our hearts on fire.
So as we head into the last month of this year, give yourself full permission to allow it to be exactly what you need It to be, and keep what’s important to you, important.
I love you.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to comment below or email me at hello@jasmineraecoaching.com on what you’re keeping important this season.
