Winter is here!
And the Winter Holidays are here!
In my last newsletter, I wrote about gratitude. This was in large part due to the Thanksgiving holiday. For the holidays occurring this month, I really had to think hard about doing a different topic. Initially, I considered revisiting the November theme. However, as this month has gone by, the topic that has been on my mind and heart has been about preparation and manifestation instead.
Part of the reason I am drawn to the idea of preparation is partially due to Christmas often being a stressful instead of fun holiday. For most of us, we are busy in December wrapping presents, writing cards, and planning family/community events. These are all wonderful things, in and of themselves. Sadly, the stress of trying to do a lot in one month, while working, can prevent us from really enjoying the holidays.
This winter, I decided to do things differently, due to stress during the holidays in years past. What I did was to plan ahead for the holidays a month early, instead of trying to figure it all out during the weeks of. I have to say, making that change has been a wonderful adjustment! It has allowed me to feel more relaxed and really enjoy the holidays. It has also made more open to be in the moment when spending time with loved ones.
I am not suggesting that everything can or should be planned ahead for the holidays. I am, however, pointing out that taking time to try to prepare as much as reasonably possible can make a huge difference in lowering stress levels. For example, my husband and I created a spreadsheet of all the people we wanted to spend time with and send gifts/cards too in November. We also used our Google Calendar to help keep track of all the events that we have wanted to attend. In addition to this, we also put written reminders down to “enjoy ourselves” and focus on “self-care” while doing all of those things.
There is something very powerful when we put things down in writing, whether on a computer spreadsheet or a handwritten notepad, that helps us, as human beings, to prepare for busy times. It also seems to help to manifest our dreams and goals, overall. Even when I decided to start Pivots’ Potential LLC as a practice, I found that putting my goals on paper helped me prepare and manifest my client base. It didn’t happen right away. But, once I started making it real by putting it on paper… my goals began to become reality much faster.
Not everyone’s process is the same. And each person has different tools to organize and prepare. And life inevitably throws us surprises. And yet almost all success stories I have heard or experienced have come from someone committing to a goal and making it as real as possible in the moment. We really do have more power over our destiny than the world would have us believe! Nothing is truly impossible! With humility and grace mixed with determination and that special dash of preparation/manifestation, human beings can really make the impossible possible. I see it all the time in my life, my clients’ lives, and my loved ones’ lives.
I wish everyone and anyone who reads this nothing but the best. I hope it helps to make your holiday more enjoyable, and helps you manifest your goals, overall, for the whole year… every year!
Happy Holidays to you all!
Lynne Penn-Leon, LCSW-C