It’s been a challenging year for many, and as we celebrate the holidays, let us remember what we are grateful for, rather than focusing on what might cause us anger, or fear. The ability to be aware is our opportunity for true freedom and happiness. I love the movie “Scrooged” (the modern version of A Christmas Carol) for that very lesson! If we can be aware, we can be in the moment, and make choices that will create happiness rather than sorrow; pleasure rather than pain. Since we know that we cannot control everything, let’s consider what we can control – our thoughts and emotions. By practicing awareness, we will be able to choose what we do today, which is the best way to make a positive impact on our future!
If you have difficulty with this, try these steps:
1) Pay attention to your emotions; they are your triggers. When you’re not feeling happy, stop and think about what your thoughts are.
2) While you’re thinking about your thoughts, see if you can change your thoughts, and focus on something that you can be grateful for (make a list).
3) If you feel like you cannot change your thoughts, be silent and feel the emotion, without inflicting anyone else. Give yourself permission, and set a time limit – it can help you not stay in a rut (i.e. you get 5 minutes to be grumpy over this and then it’s time to move on!)
4) For some people, it can help to physically do something to work out the negative emotion. Take a walk, do jumping jacks, punch the air – whatever it takes to burn it off, in a positive way!
It’s really up to you how you want to feel, and the best gift you can give yourself is to be happy!
Posted by lauriejoslin 
