Greetings Sexy Soul Seekers! I hope everyone is keeping well and moving through the triumphs and hardships of life with a positive and grounded disposition!
The holiday season is finally here (and so is all that yummy holiday grub, mmm)!
This time of year is often depicted as the greatest, merriest and most wonderful time of the year. As I grow older, I find that with intention, my daily life is just as wonderful as Christmas and that having one particular season to be kind, loving and in a state of connection with other people is something to strive for all year round.
But of course, that's incredibly hard. If it was effortless, we'd all be living in some sort of utopia haven, eating cookies for breakfast and dancing to work (if the occupation we held could even be called 'work').
The spirit of giving is amongst us nonetheless, in a commercial sense sure but also in a genuine and meaningful way. People are digging deep into their being without even realizing it and generosity, compassion and love can be seen in many spaces and places.
While physical, store-bought gifts are fab in their own right, I'd like to encourage you and I to delve a little deeper and upgrade our holiday lists for others and our own personal wish-lists.
What in the winter wonderland am I talking about, you may be asking?
I'm asking for you to sit down (or lie down or be in tree pose, you rock whatever works for ya) for five minutes, or for as long as you need, and to get silent.
Reflect upon what you can gift to others in terms of how you treat or value those in your life:
Is there someone on your list that needs more loving? Needs more compassion and less judgment from you?
Someone you can give more hugs to or spend more time keeping in touch with?
Is there someone who annoys you? Can you bring some kindness and humour to that relationship?
Is there someone you need to let go of who you're clinging to or who is clinging to you? Can you pray for the courage to release them in a loving, empowering and humane way?
Is there someone (or someones) who you fail to give your presence, focus and non-judgmental attention to? Can you put your phone down or away, log out of Instagram or Twitter and just be with them?
Think of all those you are close to, think of the ways in which you don't always show up for them emotionally and gift something to them this holiday season that goes beyond $ or material goods. You can also send them cards of thanks and appreciation, for being there for you or for being who they are and accompanying you on your rad life journey.
And now part 2 of the wish list series! What do you want this holiday season that can't be purchased from amazon or some fancy decked out mall? And more importantly, how can you gift yourself with that special something and not rely on others to be in charge of your well-being?:
Is there a hobby you've been meaning to take-up?
Have you been craving silence or alone time?
Or how about a yummy home-cooked meal or a night snuggled in watching a movie?
Perhaps you've been in need of self-compassion and self-acceptance? You've been picking yourself apart and focusing on your failures and lack of perfection but now you recognize your need for daily compliments and taking 5 mins a day to focus on all the amazing, beautiful things you've done.
It could be a walk outside.
A morning spent meditating, doing yoga, watching hilarious youtube videos or crying your eyes out to Josh Groban or whoever gives your heart a good tune-up.
Maybe you need to let yourself feel your emotions, feel the grief, the loneliness, the sadness, the desire for something else or something more. Feel what you're going through, feel it until you're walking through it and seeing that there's another side awaiting you where this emotion is meant to take you and uplift you to.
I personally am gifting people my non-judgment and complete and utter acceptance. I struggle with accepting people exactly as they are and with not placing my Ego's judgments and automatically associating that with someone's true self.
So I'm gonna step up my spiritual game this holiday season. Bring on the insanity of the holidays with crazy relatives and all. Because I'm ready to dig deep and throw compassion, acceptance and radical love around like snowflakes in Northern Alberta happily dancing in the atmosphere.
I'm going to give myself the gifts of silence, gentle yoga, writing and spending time baking and cooking because that's what I really need and want this holiday season.
These are the sort of wish-lists that make me feel all warm and excited for the holiday season.
What's on your gift list for others and on your wish list for your self?
I am so eager and curious about everyone's lists. Comment below and let's spread some love and holiday cheer!
With love and a dash of cinnamon and compassion,
Marlene
The holiday season is finally here (and so is all that yummy holiday grub, mmm)!
This time of year is often depicted as the greatest, merriest and most wonderful time of the year. As I grow older, I find that with intention, my daily life is just as wonderful as Christmas and that having one particular season to be kind, loving and in a state of connection with other people is something to strive for all year round.
But of course, that's incredibly hard. If it was effortless, we'd all be living in some sort of utopia haven, eating cookies for breakfast and dancing to work (if the occupation we held could even be called 'work').
The spirit of giving is amongst us nonetheless, in a commercial sense sure but also in a genuine and meaningful way. People are digging deep into their being without even realizing it and generosity, compassion and love can be seen in many spaces and places.
While physical, store-bought gifts are fab in their own right, I'd like to encourage you and I to delve a little deeper and upgrade our holiday lists for others and our own personal wish-lists.
What in the winter wonderland am I talking about, you may be asking?
I'm asking for you to sit down (or lie down or be in tree pose, you rock whatever works for ya) for five minutes, or for as long as you need, and to get silent.
Reflect upon what you can gift to others in terms of how you treat or value those in your life:
Is there someone on your list that needs more loving? Needs more compassion and less judgment from you?
Someone you can give more hugs to or spend more time keeping in touch with?
Is there someone who annoys you? Can you bring some kindness and humour to that relationship?
Is there someone you need to let go of who you're clinging to or who is clinging to you? Can you pray for the courage to release them in a loving, empowering and humane way?
Is there someone (or someones) who you fail to give your presence, focus and non-judgmental attention to? Can you put your phone down or away, log out of Instagram or Twitter and just be with them?
Think of all those you are close to, think of the ways in which you don't always show up for them emotionally and gift something to them this holiday season that goes beyond $ or material goods. You can also send them cards of thanks and appreciation, for being there for you or for being who they are and accompanying you on your rad life journey.
And now part 2 of the wish list series! What do you want this holiday season that can't be purchased from amazon or some fancy decked out mall? And more importantly, how can you gift yourself with that special something and not rely on others to be in charge of your well-being?:
Is there a hobby you've been meaning to take-up?
Have you been craving silence or alone time?
Or how about a yummy home-cooked meal or a night snuggled in watching a movie?
Perhaps you've been in need of self-compassion and self-acceptance? You've been picking yourself apart and focusing on your failures and lack of perfection but now you recognize your need for daily compliments and taking 5 mins a day to focus on all the amazing, beautiful things you've done.
It could be a walk outside.
A morning spent meditating, doing yoga, watching hilarious youtube videos or crying your eyes out to Josh Groban or whoever gives your heart a good tune-up.
Maybe you need to let yourself feel your emotions, feel the grief, the loneliness, the sadness, the desire for something else or something more. Feel what you're going through, feel it until you're walking through it and seeing that there's another side awaiting you where this emotion is meant to take you and uplift you to.
I personally am gifting people my non-judgment and complete and utter acceptance. I struggle with accepting people exactly as they are and with not placing my Ego's judgments and automatically associating that with someone's true self.
So I'm gonna step up my spiritual game this holiday season. Bring on the insanity of the holidays with crazy relatives and all. Because I'm ready to dig deep and throw compassion, acceptance and radical love around like snowflakes in Northern Alberta happily dancing in the atmosphere.
I'm going to give myself the gifts of silence, gentle yoga, writing and spending time baking and cooking because that's what I really need and want this holiday season.
These are the sort of wish-lists that make me feel all warm and excited for the holiday season.
What's on your gift list for others and on your wish list for your self?
I am so eager and curious about everyone's lists. Comment below and let's spread some love and holiday cheer!
With love and a dash of cinnamon and compassion,
Marlene