With Happy Thanksgiving experiences receding from sight and the media buzz on “buy!” I can find myself leaning toward old beliefs about how the upcoming month with its special holidays will be experienced.  “Stress” seems to be the first “package” to arrive and it is a gift that keeps on giving unless I pause, take a deep breath or just plain sigh and CHOOSE how I want to experience the month ahead.

Fortunately I have been choosing to do the holidays in a more life giving way for several years, and I have experienced a recent success at shifting one of my old beliefs about this time of year.  After discovering the old belief (a key piece), I reflected on: “What do I really want?”  One of the things I really want for this year is to share the holiday with my family and that means flying to be with them.  In the past I have allowed “expenses” to deter me from going.  This year I simply decided “I want to spend Christmas with my family!” My excitement had me checking out ticket fares and committed to experiencing things differently. Wallah!  I received a gift that will allow me to visit relatives and pay-off the credit card expense for the trip immediately.  A big win!

So, what else do I want?  Well, I want a pace that I can enjoy and sustain – you know, that sustainability thing!  So, I will plan ahead and choose activities carefully.  If I notice my energy flagging, I will shift my perspective and/or activity.  Making the shift could involve any of the following: taking a few deep breathes and getting a cup of tea, putting on a favorite record or taking a walk.  What are your favorite energy shifters?  I go for something that will get me as close to joy as I can, I don’t save joy for special occasions anymore!