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“Tis the Season” can definitely have very different meanings and for some people it means; stress, discomfort, “obligations”, illness and just plain unhappiness. Some feel forced to see relatives they do not particularly care for or hang out at office parties with people they are not hugely fond of. MANY feel they need to spend outside their means to get gifts. A few are plagued by memories of past holidays gone wrong. Some have already gone into hibernation mode of winter with the shorter hours of sunlight weighing heavily on them. There is a NUMBER ONE thing I would like my readers to try to do this holiday season and that is “PLEASE BE KIND TO YOURSELF”. Yes, it is the season of giving and I feel pretty confident saying most of us are concentrated right now on WHAT we are giving to WHOM. Yes, that is WONDERFUL — I am a HUGE fan of giving gifts myself but what gets forgotten in all of this is “WHAT are you Giving yourself?” If YOU are depleted you have NOTHING to give to others. Here are a few ways that you can be kind to yourlef over this holiday season.
GIVING TO YOURSELF
Peace and Quiet
I know, I know, “there’s no time”. BELIEVE me I have been guilty of saying that myself. If you book 20 minutes for yourself I guarantee you the peace and centering you get from it will more than make up for that time. Maybe it is when the kids are asleep. Maybe you need to get up 20 minutes earlier. Perhaps you can sacrifice some Facebook, internet surfing, TV or email time. However you get those 20 minutes — relax and calm your brain. Do a quick meditation.. if you say, “I don’t know how”… I highly recommend the following sites for free, short guided meditations:
Anita Pathik Law’s site “Power of My Way”
Steve Aitchison’s site “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life“
Dr Susan Gregg has some very short meditations on her site Susan Gregg
Time for a phone call with a friend that always makes you smile
Through life we make many friends and have family members we are close to. But people change residences, towns, countries and sometimes it seems CRAZY when you stop to think how long has passed since speaking with someone you really care for. I have some friends I have gone years without talking to and when we do — we instantly connect and boy do we laugh. Pick someone that makes you smile just thinking of them – you will most likely make their day as well by reaching out.
Walk
This is along the lines of quiet time but whether you walk alone, with a friend or with an MP3 player on shuffle — a walk can center you and melt stress away. I know when it is cold it is a little less motivating — but throw on some layers and take a brisk 15 minute walk and you WILL return rejuvenated.
Think of Something You Like about the Holidays and Spend some time in Gratitude
Yes, it’s easy to get caught up in the obligations and extra “work” the holidays bring but there must be SOMETHING you LIKE about them. Is it the smell of gingerbread? The indulgence of egg nog or a specific holiday treat? One holiday song that makes you smile? “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or another holiday show? Seeing a particular friend or relative you love but don’t get to see EXCEPT for the holidays? Holiday lights somewhere in your area that take your breath away? Spend 10-15 minutes thinking of what you DO enjoy about the holidays and stay in that space. It can Shift Your Attention and make you smile which always brings on a new outlook which is a GIFT to yourself.
Make a List of Things you Accomplished and Happy Moments of The Year
As humans we seem to definitely be our own worst enemies – I am NO exception! My ego-ic mind can rattle on and on about all the things “I didn’t do” IF I let it. BUT what if you stop to think about WHAT you did accomplish and focus on some of the HAPPY moments that DID occur throughout 2009? Maybe it was a get together with a friend, a romantic night out with a spouse, listening to your children laugh, meeting an exercise goal or at simply TRYING it. We seem to be really good at criticizing ourselves but that is always coming from our ego-ic mind. Our soul is much kinder and knows we are doing the best we can with the tools we have. Quiet your mind and list things that made you smile over the last year. Again, in Shifting our Attention we bring ourselves peace, smiles and THAT is a gift.
You need not spend tons of money on gifts as I point out in my post from last year “Top Ten Thoughtful Gifts for Under $20” – there are also some additional brilliant gift ideas left in the comments by my readers. Gifts from the heart are the best kind and the price tag makes no difference. I wish you all the very best for the holiday season. Please remember that the MOST important person to give to this holiday season is you — please take some time to be kind to yourself. You and everyone around you will benefit and your holidays will be MUCH more pleasant. After all.. “tis the season… 
Love this post, Jenny! It’s so true that the holidays can be all too full of obligations and guilt. We often put ourselves last on the list of people to give to! Thanks for the great reminder to appreciate ourselves!
Blessings,
Andrea
Andrea|Empowered Soul´s last blog ..The 80/20 Rule of Manifesting – and my Results Video!
Hi Jenny
These are beautiful recommendations you offer people, especially for the holidays. And what you said in the first paragraph – how true for most.
I have to tell you to me today the holidays mean really enjoying the time. For the past couple of years I made a conscious intention to say enough of obligations and stresses and running around. I wanted to enjoy this time, really enjoy it. So today to tell you the truth, the holidays are not much different for me than all other days. I am at peace. I am grateful for many things. And I enjoy any festivities that come in that state. I have essentially done away with all obligations lovingly and today participate in anything that comes from a place of joy, love and peace. And that makes for some really happy holidays
Evita´s last blog ..Essential Energy with Cyndi Dale: The Dream of Love
Hi Andrea,
THANK YOU! As you have taught me we teach lessons we have learned
. I’ve certainly gotten swept up in the holiday madness and “obligations” in the past and no one won… taking time for myself keeps me and everyone around me sane! 
As a mentor and a person with a lot of people and friends surrounding me I see what the holidays can do to some and this seems to be the message that keeps being shouted to me — tell them to be NICE to themselves. 
Andrea — thank you so much for commenting – I have learned so much from you and know I will continue to do so. Thank YOU for all you do and teach. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and wish you all the best for the coming year.
Much Love, xo
Jenny
Hi Evita,
Yes, even though I have certainly over obligated myself and gotten stressed over the holidays in the past – I am grateful I love spending time with my family and it is something I always can look forward to. I know this is not always the case and I have seen a HUGE increase in stress in my clients this time of year. Being kind to themselves and taking time to give to themselves seems to be the ingredient missing in every case.
I LOVED Cyndi’s post on your site — she is AMAZING and what insight! I am so excited to speak more with you Evita — it is a joy getting to know you even better and I am so grateful the web brought us together. Thanks so much for the comment.
Much Love, xoxo
Jenny
Jenny,
The pictures of you and your family are wonderful! This post is exactly what I needed today, thank you. The holidays are a time of gratitude, giving and stress. It’s good to have some tools to help us all cope.
Love,
Ange
Hey Ange,
Yeah, we broke out “The Mannions” sweatshirts and it only took about 50 shots to get those 4!
I am so happy you liked the post and you know I am always tickled when you comment.
I am excited to celebrate Christmas and your birthday with you – thinking about THAT part of the holidays ALWAYS makes me smile. Also reflecting on the gift of your friendship and all that has meant over the last few years – truly priceless and if I ever want to conjure up tears of gratitude – that does it!
Love you tonnnnnssss, xoxo
Jenny
Jenny Mannion´s last blog ..‘Tis the Season to Be Kind to Yourself Too
Love the pictures! And great reminder of how we can connect to the true meaning of this time, for ourselves, and that will radiate outwards to other in our lives too…
Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..Spiritual Processing,Transits and Empowerments
You’re an inspiration Jenny.
This is such a timely post for me today. Definitely need to take a little time out and give back to myself for a bit.
You reminded me of a tool that I had posted for my own site’s visitors, yet I have neglected to use it myself for some time recently http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/meditation.html
Thank you for also reminding me to start my annual list of 100 accomplishments for 2009. I do one of those lists each year before New Year, so that I am ready to create my 2010.
Enjoy a happy festive season with your family and thank you for the gifts on this very special blog.
Cheers, Thea
http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/SeasonGreet.htm
Thea Westra from MyForwardSteps.com´s last blog ..Live Chat With My Forward Steps Members – Day 1
Hi Lisa,
Thanks – the pictures make up our Christmas card this year.
Yes, taking time for ourselves over the holidays can almost seem like a luxury but I feel it is a necessity. There is so much “extra” to do and if we are overworked and overwhelmed no one will benefit. I wish you and your family tons of joy and happiness for the holiday season and 2010 Lisa! It has been such a gift to get to know you.
Love, xo
Jenny
Hi Thea!
I haven’t talked to you in a while – what a PLEASURE to hear from you!!!
I will definitely check out your meditation as I am a bit of a “meditation junkie” – guess there are worse things! 
I am so happy to hear you have an annual list of 100 accomplishments — wonderful idea! I hope you and your loved ones have a very happy holiday season as well Thea! I also wish you tons of success for the new year!
Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment.
GREATLY appreciated.
Much Love, xo
Jenny