We’re all busy this week. Nevertheless, in between shopping, baking, decorating, gift-wrapping, card-writing, cooking, standing in line at the post office, and last-minute runs to the mall we’re also expected to be joyful. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all. At least, so we’re told …
Because we all have enough to do this week, I’d like to offer just one single technique sure to lift your spirits, should all the hustle and bustle of the season overshadow the merriment and joy we’re working so hard to create.
Find a quiet place. Your car will do in a pinch. Close your eyes and take a single big breath. Smile. Even if you don’t feel like
smiling – especially if you don’t feel like smiling! Focus for a minute or two on the sensation of smiling. Notice what happens to your face, to your emotions, to the space in your heart. Meditate on your smile.
This may feel forced and unnatural at first, especially if you are agitated or stressed. However, you’ll find that it’s hard to meditate on a smile without that smile becoming genuine. If nothing else, you’ll smile or even laugh at yourself because here you are, sitting with your eyes closed and smiling foolishly.
I encourage you to try it out right now. Close your eyes, breathe, smile, and notice. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Have a joyful holiday!
Blessings,
Andrea
P.S. If you’re not all that busy and have time to read more tips on handling holiday stress, Edward Mills has posted nineteen of them at his blog, Evolving Times. Enjoy!
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Very nice Andrea! Taking some time out to bring joy to yourself will ensure that this joy will flow through your actions, your words, your presents… just like how someone on the phone can hear you smile, I believe this feeling will also carry through to whatever you do, even when you are not there. When someone opens your present, even after you’ve gone home, I think they can feel it if you were happy while you were buying it for them.
Cheers,
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.
Andrea, thanks for the reminder to smile. Must be really important for me right now because I keep reading it over and over again from different people and places that I go. Smiling is the best little thing that you can do for yourself and those around you.
Hey Andrea, sorry for spamming your comments box, hehe! I wanted to invite you to participate in the group writing project over at my blog.
http://www.urbanmonk.net/233/spread-the-love-now-group-writing-project/
Cheers,
Albert