A Woman's Guide To Saner Living

Tie Up Loose Ends

   

This time of year pulls for us to create New Year Resolutions.  Yet often when we think of New Year Resolutions, we express sighs of futility, with sentiments like, "...as if I will actually keep that resolution," or "...why bother, because that didn't work out so good last year."  Here is a strategy to help you move forward and create resolutions, intentions, goals or whatever word works best for you when you want to change: build yourself a foundation for change by tying up loose ends.  Review the past six months by keying in on your dominant feelings during that time period.  Did you feel predominantly happy, sad, frustrated, wistful?  Note the feelings and then think about what feeling changes you want, and what concrete life changes will best bring that change.  Build your foundation for change by tying up loose ends before you begin a new goal.  As my mother used to say, "Finish what you started before you begin something new."  So, if an important life goal has not been completed, figure out what was getting in the way.  Perhaps you have been postponing doing things that bring you fulfillment until you have completed other tasks.  If that is the case, then either finish the other tasks or let them go and put yourself in the center of your life.  Tie up whatever loose ends keep you from living a more satisfactory, if not fabulous life!

This Dog Knows How To Have Fun In The Snow!! Happy Holidays To Everyone!

Holiday Self-Centerpiece Idea #1

So, if you're going to be the centerpiece of your holiday you will need to bring out your finest self.  But, how do you find her when she is all covered up with to do's, shoulds, guilt, rushing around, unmet needs or your issue du jour?  You have to do exactly the opposite of what the holiday season pulls for -- you need to slow down.  Slow down enough so that you can carve out 15 minutes a day to sit quietly with yourself and reflect on your real needs and wants. I am not referring to your front shelf needs and wants, you know the ones that come up first like; "I want someone to take care of me" or "I want help with the holiday shopping".  It's not that these needs and wants aren't important, they are very important, but I want you to drill down deep to get to your core needs and wants.  Some examples of core needs and wants are;  "I want a love-filled holiday season" or "I want to really connect with family and friends".  Write your core needs and wants down and put them in different places where you will see them frequently such as: on your computer monitor, your bathroom mirror, your bedside table.  When you see your list, say your needs and wants out loud and with meaning.  This exercise will help coax out your finest self and once your finest self starts to peek out and grow in confidence you'll find your front shelf needs and wants will be more likely met.  It's kind of weird that it happens this way but it does.

You may be saying to yourself, "Well, this sounds great, but how will I ever find the time to carve out 15 minutes a day of quiet time just for me when there are so many demands?"  It may help to think of it in this way;  when you are physically ill and consult with a doctor she may prescribe medicine, which you need to take as directed.  This medicine rids the body of the illness and restores your health.  Consider this exercise a prescription for emotional well-being during the holiday season. Take as directed and experience a more serene holiday.  Emotional well-being is as important as physical well-being.

Your prescription:

Take 15 minutes of quiet time daily to reflect on your needs and wants.  Write them down on a piece of paper and distribute freely around your personal space.  Read them out loud frequently.  Quiet time can be taken with or without tea.

There are always life issues but only one lifetime.  How do you want to spend your lifetime?