Although December is upon us, this year holiday decorations hung in malls before we even enjoyed Halloween. Every year retailers work hard to inspire the gift giving frenzy earlier as Thanksgiving becomes more and more obscured. If not for the marketing campaigns within the grocery retail industry designed to maximize catering opportunities, who knows where we might see the simple beauty of gathering with family and friends highlighted. As the focus on Thanksgiving translates into three weeks of brightly colored grocery fliers with turkeys on the front, don't miss the hidden value the significance of this day offers or the information it reveals about what you are actually manifesting in your life.
The other night I was out with friends, most of whom have children. I listened to their tales of overloaded schedules, sports practices and the rapid approach of the holidays. As the discussion turned to the virtual lack of time for holiday shopping, I could not help but notice that everything people used to enjoy has become a job or a draining project. The sad part is that after completing all there is to complete, most people report that between thoughts of "what's next" and their exhaustion from the process, they do not feel that they derive as much enjoyment as they would like.
One of the most common spoken phrases is "I'll just be happy when it's over," yet there is always another production waiting in the wings. Even brand new parents are already stressed as they begin aggressively applying for schools before their children are six months old. It seems as though an additional work component has been added to virtually every aspect of life. In terms of being busy, I'm certainly no exception as my days fly by with me often tugging at daylight's last streams, however, I cannot help but see the connection between our loss of downtime and joy with the increase of stress-related health problems, and lack of fulfillment.
If I leave my laptop running for extended periods, it eventually becomes sluggish and may even stop responding, requiring me to either restart it or shut it down completely. How often do you run until you are forced to shut down with an illness, or become unable to respond to what you are facing? In spite of what you are juggling, how often do you carve out time to go on standby so you can reassess what you are manifesting and recharge?
During our conversation, a woman spoke of her desire for a less complicated life that mirrored days of the past, admitting it is a naïve thought in spite of modern technology and today's norms. So how do we find more peace in today's fast-paced, externally focused world? In the process of manifesting the life you desire, taking time to understand what you want and why can help you create it. If you are unable to give yourself a positive time out such as the one Thanksgiving dinner affords you, how will you manifest the life experience you desire?
There is no doubt it can be difficult to slow down and take time strictly for relaxation of any sort--is it because we don't have time or because we've removed the need to manage our time? After all, we exist in a global community where aspects of life and business are constant.
When I was growing up in New England, Saturday mornings were a time for errands such as going to the dump, picking up last minute items at the grocery store in addition to ballet practice and my brother's sports games. By the middle of the afternoon, it was officially time to focus on home. We played outside into the evening hours, woke up late on Sundays and had breakfast as a family. It was even rare for my brothers to have soccer games on Sunday unless they were in a special tournament. Aside from yard work, which we performed together as a family, Sundays were reserved for relaxation. My father spent hours playing guitar, watching some television with my mom and us, or falling asleep periodically in his recliner chair while we entertained ourselves in our bedrooms or outside. We had to get our errands done by Saturday because most places with the exception of restaurants closed on Sundays. Sunday was always a quiet day for all of us to recharge before beginning another week.
Years later, in our pursuit of convenience, we have opened stores on Sundays, created 24-hour markets, simultaneously removing the need for time management. Are our extraordinarily busy lives necessary or a result of justifying the existence of the 24-hour convenience we have created?
When you are manifesting what you want, you must create room for it; sometimes you are unconsciously creating space for exactly what you do not want. For example, we have made room for obtaining forgotten items at the store during the largest holidays of the year by keeping the stores open for holiday hours; now on a typical holiday, the grocery stores are busy. In the past, you would have made a list, checked it twice and gone without a forgotten item as if it did not exist, consequently focusing only on the events of the day.
Our previous lack of convenience actually provided us with boundaries that reinforced our enjoyment during Sundays and holidays by removing the ability to perform the majority of outside tasks. It is amazing how many important things lose their importance when they are unavailable; just because something is possible does not make it necessary or important. Focus on what you have, instead of always looking so far ahead. While that may sound cliché, the truth is that few embrace the well-needed "time-out" that a holiday offers, instead setting it up to require even greater physical and emotional demand than a typical day.
As Thanksgiving approaches, use its intent of thankfulness and appreciation to figure out how you can derive more simplicity and joy from your life. If you are entertaining, put yourself on standby once you sit at the table, and enjoy what you have created without concern about anything more. If taking advantage of catering services will help you lighten the workload and gain more from the day, go for it. Your guests will enjoy themselves more if you take more pleasure in the day. If you are alone, treat yourself to something special; perhaps curl up in front of the television with your favorite movies and candles.
One of the greatest holidays I ever had was one I enjoyed alone. Take a moment to appreciate the true intent of the holiday. It comes at a wonderful time when the year is winding down, giving us an occasion to take a break and celebrate the present. Treating your holidays or any other days like a task you cannot wait to get through is a choice that easily becomes a habit and a way of life.
The Sundays of the past are long gone, which means you must make your own down days. Start by taking at least one day each month to focus on the simple things and reconnect with self and home. Thanksgiving is one of those bonus days we get each year; it is not about presents, but rather being present. Don't worry if the linen is perfect, the pie is the same color as last year, or dinner is running later than planned. Let go of your typical schedule and allow yourself to receive; embrace the simplicity of its message.
I hope you will create time to put yourself on standby, perhaps at the dining table while you enjoy your meal. In the process of manifesting the life you dream of, your every day actions affect what you attract to yourself. If you are visualizing an abundant life, yet you cannot make time to appreciate and get pleasure from what you already have, it may be harder to attract what you want.
We can explore how to maximize your ability to build the life experience you desire as well as how to get more fulfillment from what you already have in a private session. Email me at Charly_organic@yahoo.com today to schedule an appointment. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I hope you will use its significance, and consequently schedule time to truly relax and nourish your mind, body and soul on a regular basis.
