I hope you are enjoying the wonderment, beauty and sparkle of this beautiful season.  It can sometimes be challenging to remember the true meaning of this time of year when you are driving in circles trying to find a parking space at the local retail spot, you find yourself frantically dashing from one store to another or you wake up feeling bloated from one too many gingerbread martinis or the scrumptious hors devours that were oh-so-tempting.  This over stimulation, for all the senses, can move you out of balance and harmony.  In this week’s blog we look at 5 ways to help you feel blessed instead of stressed during this season of love and light.

I also wanted to mention that the Fresh Start Wellness and Detox Program is available on January 9th for those that want support in getting back to balance by removing toxins from their system, restore optimum health and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. This program is the perfect way to help make your 2014 your most vibrant year yet!

The holidays can be a hectic time of year filled with social commitments, family obligations, to-do lists that are miles long and full of unhealthy indulgences that make you feel tired and overwhelmed.  Here are 5 ways to help you manage the holidays and allow them to flow with ease and be filled with grace.

1. Gratitude Journal

The first suggestion is to give yourself a few moments at the beginning of each day to write about a few things you are grateful for…maybe it is a loved one or special friend that fills you with gratitude or maybe it is a cozy cup of tea that warms your soul.  Whatever it is, write it down. Focusing our thoughts on what we are grateful for places our attention on something positive. The things we place our attention on in our lives expand.  By doing this each morning before we start our day helps to set the tone for the rest of the day bringing more experiences into our lives that will fill us with gratitude. Taking this time each morning to focus on the things that are truly important to us and fill us with gratitude allows us to be more aware of what is really important.

2. Give to Someone in Need

The second suggestion is to take a moment to really give to someone in need.  I know it might seem counter intuitive to add something to your ever growing list.  If you are feeling exasperated by the notion of spending more time or money on another charity or person, let’s look at this a little closer.  In the past, as a family, we have given to many charities and written many checks.  Although these are important, I have found that it has really grounded me and the other family members to give when we have a better understanding of the people or person we are helping.  I want to feel that connection because it touches me at my core and makes me realize that my crazy schedule or commitments really are insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  I am blessed to be healthy and have people around me that love me.  When my children were young we had a wonderful woman who would come and help me around the house.  She was a beautiful soul who loved to watch my children play.  She and her husband had come upon hard times because he had been diagnosed with a severe form of Lou Gehrig disease. It was sad to watch this beautiful soul take on the weight of taking care of the man she loved and their financial situation that was now her responsibility. I knew that she loved to cook but couldn’t afford many of the healthier options and she was unable to prepare a big Christmas dinner that she had once enjoyed serving her family.  Our family decided that we wanted to give this beautiful soul the gift of a Christmas dinner and we would provide the ingredients for her to create her tradition for those she loved.  We surprised her at her home with loaded down with all of the fix-ins she would need… a turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, eggnog, cakes and pies and anything we could think of that would help this women and her family enjoy their Christmas Day.  Each year this tradition would help me to look outside of my own busy schedule and crazy circumstances, which helped me, look at the bigger picture in life.  It helped me to see and appreciate my blessings more clearly.  The gift we gave her each year was really a gift given to us. It made the idea tangible for my children that there really are people in the world who are suffering and we can be part of the solution. I would drive away from that home with tears streaming down my cheeks understanding that my to-do list was really insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

3. Create a Priority List

Speaking of to-do lists.  If yours is a mile long, then it is time to sit down and examine, prioritize, structure and eliminate.  For this suggestion you will need a calendar to help structure your list.  First, go through your list and determine which items are the most critical and need to get done right away. Add these items to your calendar where they will get completed in the coming days.  Now go through the rest of your list and prioritize the rest of the items. Can you break some of the larger items into smaller parts.  For example, holiday shopping is too big a criteria.  Look at how you can make that big umbrella turn into smaller components. Christmas shopping can include, stocking stuffers, presents for friends, presents for the young kids, presents for the teenagers and food shopping.  Notice if there are items that can wait until after the holidays to lighten up your load. Now put the remaining items on your calendar to be completed on or by a specific day.  This will give you relief in knowing that you have a date scheduled to complete each item.  You don’t need to stress about when you are going to get it done because you know exactly when you are going to complete each task. Enjoy crossing the items off your calendar!

4. Set a Holiday Intention

I was inspired on my yoga mat today which brings me to my forth suggestion. The yoga instructor suggested that we set an intention for not only our class but for the day ahead. She also suggested that we choose an item that we look at often throughout the day, that could help remind us of our intention. I pondered on this for a bit realizing that this was a great way to bring our attention not only to our intention but to the here-and-now at any moment of any day. It made me realize that this idea was applicable and helpful for the holiday season. As I began to slowly exhale, my intention for the season began to surface  ~flow with ease~ As I took a deep breath in the second part of my intention emerged ~filled with grace~. I wear a special necklace that reminds me of my connection to the Infinite. During this season I intend to remember my Holiday Intention whenever I see my necklace or rub it with my fingers. This will ground me and act as a constant reminder that with this holiday season I am going to Flow with Ease and be Filled with Grace. What is your intention for this holiday season?

5. Take Care of Your Body

As we get caught up in the festivities and enjoy many social obligations we can eat rich sugar and fat laden foods, overindulge in drinks and deprive ourselves of sleep.  This coupled with the stressors that the holiday season can bring are a recipe for exhaustion, sickness and depression. Give your body the added boost and benefit of mindfully choosing healthy options to eat and drink.  If you know you are going to be in a situation where good healthful options are not going to present themselves, plan ahead.  Eat something healthy before you walk into that soiree.  When ordering drinks, ask for an extra splash of soda water or juice, and try having a glass of water between each cocktail.  It is important to keep your body hydrated so that you don’t turn to other things that your body really doesn’t need.  This will help you to eliminate extra calories, fat, salt, sugar and alcohol that can be so prevalent during a holiday party. Also, remember that our sleep is extremely important in keeping our bodies and minds feeling balanced, vibrant and healthy.

I hope these five suggestions will help you move through the holidays experiencing flowing ease in all areas of your life and filling your days with grace, joy and peace.

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Happy Soaring!

XOXO

The holiday season is in full swing! Whether you celebrate Christmas or one of the many fabulous holidays that fall during this time of year it would be difficult not to notice the change of energy and pace that people move at during the month of December.  Some enjoy the accelerated swiftness the season brings while others cringe at the chaotic cadence.  Either way, it is my goal to provide easy & quick tips to give you home harmony and joyful living to help make the coming weeks flow smoothly.  In this issue we will focus on simple, quick & easy solutions to spiff up your holiday décor.

Our home environments can help create calm in the midst of chaos or they exacerbate overwhelm.  Looking around your home with delight produces the happy hormones in your body to release and fill you with joy.  Being organized can help lower cortisol, the stress hormone that produces the physical responses associated with stress, anxiety and agitation.  Let’s look at three easy ways to bring organization and joy-filled beauty to your home for the holidays.

Glass Container:

I love using glass jars, candleholders and canisters to decorate.  The great thing about using glass to decorate is, they are so versatile. You can fill them with acorns or pinecones for a natural look or you can opt for sparkling garlands of tinsel or glistening red Christmas bulbs for a glamorous effect.  If you need an inexpensive holiday solution fill the glass jars with fresh cranberries or red & green apples.  They can be placed on the mantle, counter or on the table for a fabulous Tablescape.  For our annual Holiday Party that includes guests, young & old, I multi-purpose the glass containers by placing candy canes in and around the rim. They initially add to the holiday mood and décor but later become the perfect holder for candy canes that eventually get passed out to young guests as they leave the festivities.

Pictures:

Pictures of years past are another fabulous way to add to the nostalgia of the season. Find a favorite frame and store pictures from previous holidays behind the one being viewed. For example, you might have pictures of past summers, Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the family ski trip. Keep those pictures in the same frame and as the season or holidays change, rotate the picture that is viewed to match the season.

Holiday Tree:

Easy breezy & inexpensive way to change up the same old holiday tree… new ribbon! Before you select that perfect ribbon, decide what colors will suit your needs this holiday season. As mentioned in a previous blog and on the CBS Holiday Home in Harmony segment, if you are feeling a little more stress than usual you might want to stay away from the color red because it can have a physiological impact on the body and mind by increasing stress levels.

I hope these quick decorating tips help you create a home environment that uplifts your spirit and helps you move with effortless grace throughout this season of light.

If you haven’t already signed up to receive solutions & tips to help you live your best life, click here to receive your FREE E-Book and Bonus Gift, plus our weekly Home in Harmony Lifestyle Newsletter!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Photo Credit: http://camillestyles.com

For those living in the US, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday and all of the food, merriment and shopping that might have gone along with it.  As you know, I am all about giving people simple solutions to help make life flow with ease & grace in all areas of living; be it creating an inspired Home, healthy Body, calm Mind & connecting to inner Spirit!  This can sometimes be challenging during the holiday season, so it is my goal to provide easy & quick tips to give you home harmony and joyful living in the coming weeks. I hope this helps you move with effortless grace throughout this season of light.

In our culture, the holidays are a time focused on family, friends, parties, gift giving and an assortment of additional activities to add into the daily mix of every day living.  In the next few weeks I will share a few simple solutions to tame the tension and relieve the stress that can escalate at this time of year.  My hope is that these easy tips will help bring inner calm in the midst of the chaos allowing you to enjoy tranquil times ahead.

Let’s look at three ways to make your holiday STRESS-LESS. By now you have probably heard me talk or seen my writing regarding the importance of color in our homes.  The first item to discuss is color because it plays such an important role in determining our degree of happiness.  Secondly, you might have seen the CBS segment on Holiday Home in Harmony and heard me explain a simple solution to help organize gifts that will help to alleviate stress and tension.  We will look at that here.  Third, I will share an easy way to make your holiday table look fabulous! I hope these three helpful hints will have you feeling harmonious this holiday.

Consistent Color:

Choose an overall theme for decorating.  Start with color. Which colors are resonating with you this year?  Carry this theme through out your home from the wreath that welcomes you to the wrapping paper under the tree.  This will create a more cohesive and harmonious feel to your home.  I often choose 3 colors to work with before I begin to take out the decorations from last year. If there is a decoration that doesn’t fit my color theme I put it away for next year or I don’t buy it.  This helps me stay organized and feel less scattered.

Wrapping Paper:

Wrapping can be helpful in maintaining order and calm in the holiday hoop-la! I often choose and stock up on three wrapping paper patterns (or colors ) which has two advantages.  First, from an aesthetic perspective, it helps to harmonize the look of my house during the holidays. This cohesion has a calming effect on my psyche. It also helps to keep the gift giving process organized.  Which, of course, helps relieve the tension!  I will use one pattern for the kids, one for my husband’s side of the family and one for my side of the family.  This helps eliminate some of the stress associated with the “Did I remember everything?” as we are scurrying out of the house after the frenzy of Christmas morning, and it eliminates the likely hood that a present could be left behind when heading off to grandma’s house on Christmas Eve! You can breath easy knowing you are organized and prepared.

Tablescape:

I have certain go-to strategies that help me to create fun, festive looks whenever we entertain.  I love preparing the holiday table and look at it as an art.  How creative and beautiful can I make it each year?  In holidays past, I use to love watching my grandmother’s reaction, as she would enter our home on Christmas Eve and see the table.  The sparkle and delight in her eyes as she would explore the Tablescape always brought joy to my heart. One simple solution that can have a big impact on your next Tablescape is the use of chargers. Chargers are a great way to change up your holiday table!  Actually, they are great to use for every occasion! I collect different color chargers and have an array of beautiful colors.  If you are going for a warm intimate look use rich browns or textured golden-flaked chargers.  For a glam look use metallic silver or red. Don’t be afraid to choose two colors and mix-and-match, this will lend excitement to the table which can make it unforgettable.

Planning ahead can help you feel more organized and empowered. Consciously incorporating color, organizational elements and beauty into your holidays will create a Home in Harmony.

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Happy Soaring!

XOXO

The message of gratitude can sometimes get lost as the holiday decorations come out and the marketing machine of consumerism has one thinking thoughts that have moved beyond the Thanksgiving pumpkin pie to contemplation of festive Egg Nog. Let’s look at what gratitude is and living in a state of gratitude as we move through the season ahead.

Gratitude is an emotional state of appreciation and thankfulness.  This is often confused by a consumer-driven emphasis placed on needs and wants. It is interesting that the Thanksgiving holiday based on gratitude is juxtaposed with the consumer driven frenzy of current-day Christmas.  When thinking about the two holidays I am amazed at the range of sensations that arise within me. Emotions range from calm to overwhelm while physical responses run the gamut from deep breathes to a clenched jaw.  Moving into the season of stress light, it is important to incorporate practices that will foster a sense of gratitude that encourages balance and calm.  Here is a look at three simple gratitude practices…

Gratitude Journal:

My personal favorite gratitude practice is the gratitude journal. For me, it is a beautiful way to begin each day. It sets the tone for the day ahead and reminds me what I am grateful for, what went well the previous day and makes me walk through my day consciously looking for things that fill me with gratitude.

Gratitude Share:

We have a family gratitude ritual with our children on the nights we are able to incorporate family dinners into the rigorous extracurricular schedule.  We go around the table with each person mentioning something they are grateful for. This could be something that happened that day or a continuous circumstance that they are thankful for.  There are some nights where they aren’t excited to share anything and instead revert to “I’m thankful for mom’s dinner”. Regardless of what is shared it gives my husband and I a good barometer for where they are mentally.  It also instills the practice of being consciously connected to gratitude.

Gratitude Tablescape:

A few years ago we began a tradition during Thanksgiving Dinner to write what we are grateful for on the family tablecloth.  I found a neutral ivory linen cloth (you can use a tablecloth or runner) and some fabric markers to begin this tradition. We would write the one thing we were grateful for during the past year, sign it and date it.  The fabulous thing about this tradition was that each year you could look back and see what your thoughts were in previous years and it also made you think of what truly filled you with gratitude that was important enough to place on the cloth for your future self to see.  I am also able to see what thoughts inspired my beloved grandmother, with her wisdom and grace.  This reminder warms my heart and makes me thankful for the years of love and guidance given by this beautiful angel who now watches over our Thanksgiving Dinner.

Including the practice of gratitude in your life can help to move you from overwhelm and stress to a state of blissful balance. Daily, weekly or yearly habits and traditions can consciously connect you to gratitude, which is directly linked to a sense of happiness and wellbeing… the perfect gift during the holidays.

If you haven’t already signed up to receive solutions & tips to help you live your best life, click here to receive your FREE E-Book and Bonus Gift, plus our weekly Home in Harmony Lifestyle Newsletter!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Picture credit goes to http://buyerselect.com/blog/fall-home-decor/