3 Tips for a Stress-Less Holiday

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

Attitude of Gratitude

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.

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

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

Holiday Color Harmony

As the holidays draw closer, it is important to make sure you find ways to support and nurture you. With the holiday frenzy it is natural for your emotions and anxiety to be in a heightened state. This coupled with holiday celebrations that encourage an extra peppermint martini, scrumptious cheese buff or decadent chocolate cake have an impact on your waist line and psychological state. Your home environment plays a key role in supporting you during stressful times, or it can further deplete you on all levels.

Let’s look at ways to have your home help you during the holidays…

Colors have a tremendous influence on your psychological and physical state. Research has shown that color impacts your body chemistry including heart rate, hormone production and cortisol levels. These control your mood, energy level and weight. Psychological studies have demonstrated that color has an effect on your mental state. This has a direct bearing on your level of happiness and satisfaction in life. Understanding color and utilizing it to support you is important during every season but can be even more critical during the holidays.

During the holidays there is a palpable frenetic energy of excitement and anticipation. This can be, in part, attributed to the colors that surround us during this season of celebration. When I think of the holidays, pictures of red and green or silver and cobalt blue come to mind.

Now let’s look at the psychological & physiological impact of these colors…

Red: Red ribbons, ornaments and packages ‘deck the halls’. The question is how does red influence your overall mental and physical state. Research has shown that red is associated with power, passion and aggression. Power images that come to mind are the red power tie or the red carpet. Psychological studies have determined that red increases aggressive behavior and anxiety. Physiological studies have shown that red increases heart rate and hunger. Restaurants understand this phenomenon and use it to encourage their patrons to order and consume more than they might typically. It is no wonder that we tend to eat more and feel anxiety during the Christmas Season when we are surrounded by the color red.

Cobalt Blue: Blue candles, gifts and ornaments shimmer and shine. Blue tones have a variety of effects on your psychological or physiological state. Depending on the shade of blue you choose determines the impact on you. For this article let’s specifically look at the bright shade of cobalt blue that is displayed this time of year. Cobalt blue is associated with strength, power and superiority. These can be empowering colors if they are in alignment with your inner being. They can also have the reverse effect and be dis-empowering if you have negative associations to power or don’t truly own your own personal power. It also has a physiological impact on the body and the hormones associated with hunger. The good news (unless you are hosting a party where you are hoping your guests will eat your delicious dishes) is that blue sends messages to the brain to refrain from eating. This is a great color to incorporate if you are hoping to lose weight. Blue can also create feelings of aloofness, sadness, loneliness and depression. This is not a great color to use if you tend to become melancholy during the holidays. Becoming aware of the impact of blue can help you navigate this season.

One simple strategy to help you find harmony during the holidays is to have one or two spaces in your home that do not have holiday trimmings. This allows you to have a serene sanctuary to nurture your soul, and uplift your spirit during this beautiful but sometimes overwhelming season. Your bedroom might be a great space to ditch the holiday decorations so that they aren’t the first thing you see when you wake in the morning and last thing you are thinking about before you nod off to sleep. Creating soothing spaces will help you to create inner calm & peace and allow you to shine your magnificent light during this season of celebration.

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Success & Inspiration

Recently I have been asked on a variety of occasions to share my insights on building a business, becoming an expert in my field and the explaining how the book publishing world works. I was even approached to write a chapter in a book geared towards entrepreneurs that would help them find the passion and purpose in their life and relate it to their business endeavors. My observation is that successful people, whether in the personal or professional realm, have similar characteristics and behaviors that lead them along their path and help to catapult them to the next level. In my experience these traits and attitudes make the difference between someone realizing their goals and dreams or not. The article ahead will give you a few insights that can help you begin to walk along the path towards your ultimate life. These insights can be utilized both professionally and in your personal life.

There was a time, as I traveled my life’s path that it didn’t completely make sense to me and it seemed to meander in irrelevant directions. What I came to realize as I look back at my route is that it was filled with light posts that illuminated the way. It is my belief that these light posts illumine the synchronistic events in one’s life, and ultimately lead one along their course, guiding and revealing the infinite potential of possibilities. These light posts help guide you at pivotal moments to help create the life and business of your dreams. If we are tuned into the guideposts they light the way. I look back along my journey and see the string of beautiful glowing lamp posts that helped me to navigate the crossroads, listen to the whispers of inspired insight, be open to the possibilities, and take inspired action that allowed me to create each successful business that was realized and a dream life that was encouraged to unfold and grow.

The first time light posts begin to twinkle and draw me towards the world of entrepreneurship I almost ignored the whisper or nudge. It was a rainy, grey cold New England fall day when even the vibrant fall foliage seemed to be dreary. I was supposed to go golfing with a new friend, but as a fair weather golfer, looking outside, it didn’t look like my kind of golf day. Something inside me nudged me to move from my warm, cozy bed in that early morning hour.

When we made it to the country club the caddies grabbed our bags, and we went inside to find some hot beverages to warm our fingers. As we began to make our way out to the golf carts we realized that our clubs had inadvertently been placed in different carts. The two of us, new found friends, were both disappointed because we were excited to play together and get to know each other better. The caddies had placed us in the same foursome so we decided to keep things as they were and stay with our respective partners so not to be rude.

I jumped in the cart beside a lovely older woman with silver hair, funky glasses and a dynamic demeanor who, I learned, was a successful business owner of an interior-furnishings boutique in one of the nearby bustling communities. She asked me to drive which was a small price to pay for what I later would realize was a wealth of knowledge she would imbue. As we bounced along the cart path I curiously asked questions about her business, “What it was like being a business owner?” “How best to start a business?” and “How do you know it is the right business for you?” For nearly five hours her enthusiastic words, seasoned perspective, and strong opinions made the wheels inside my head begin to spin. Looking back, I see the golf cart adjustment as a divine interference. It was a light post that twinkled and began to move me along my path on that wet, grey New England day. The gift of this conversation inspired me to think outside my comfort zone, allowed me to imagine the infinite possibilities, investigate how to make it happen, and motivated me to take action. I was so thankful that the whisper of my soul moved me out of bed in the wee hours of that cold morning.

Many successful people in a variety of situations hear a tiny voice inside their head that provides a suggestion, or hints at something that will move them along their path to success. The majority of people ignore this call. Most rationalize it as a fanciful thought that could never be brought to fruition. The mark of a successful individual is that they hear the whisper and pay attention to the message. It is as if a switch is turned on and the light post is able to illuminate the path ahead. It is a person’s willingness to listen to the call and move through the illusion of self-doubt that will allow them to cast light on the shadows and reveal the clear passageway to fulfilling their ultimate purpose and destiny.

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Overcome the Holiday Overwhelm

It is only a few days after Halloween and the Christmas decorations have already hit the shelves and front displays of stores. Seeing a Christmas tree in a store window this Halloween made me think of how easy it is to live our lives in full-throttle future mode. The, “What am I going to do next”, instead of enjoying and marinating in the current moment of now. As the leaves fall, the days get shorter and the temperature begins to drop we begin to anticipate the holiday season ahead and all that means emotionally, mentally and physically. Overwhelm created by a growing to-do list can leave you frazzled and stressed. Thanksgiving flows into a whirlwind of holiday festivities, which can pack on the pounds from unhealthy party fare. Late nights, holiday shopping, decorations and cards that need to be sent, can leave you exhausted and weary. It is important to look at ways to tame tension, overcome overwhelm, and put perspective back into a season that was designed to celebrate love, hope and joy.

After a long run last week I was enjoying contemplative time on my back deck. I noticed that there was an unusual cacophony of sound all around me. Typically in the early morning hours it is a quiet and serene space where you can hear the rustle of squirrels in the leaves, and the symphony of birds calling to one another. But, on this particular morning, I could hear a variety of construction sounds from heavy trucks buzzing, jackhammers drumming and voices shouting to one another. Initially I was annoyed that my peaceful morning ritual was disturbed from the intrusion of harsh sounds. Then I realized; this situation was similar to the reality of life in today’s day and age. We are constantly bombarded by influences outside of ourselves vying for our attention. One minute we are doing one thing, and in the next moment we are distracted by something else. This scattered energy leads to overwhelm and anxiety. As I sat contemplating the sounds around me, I realized that I could place my attention on the singing of one or two lovely birds, and my centered concentration allowed the other sounds to dissipate into the background. This dissolved my frustration and angst and brought me back into a grounded state of harmony. The next time you are feeling overcome by overwhelm remove the superfluous distractions and focus in on what is really important. This will help you move with ease and grace during this season of over-stimulation, to-dos, and anxiety.

One way to overcome overwhelm is to prioritize the tasks ahead. The most effective way to do this is to take a moment and put pen to paper and create a list of all the to-dos that need to be accomplished in the days to come. Prioritize and create deadlines for each task. This will help you to focus and stay on track. It will also ease the worry associated with not knowing whether you have enough time or days to complete what needs to be done. You will be able to see what is essential to be done, when to do it and have the ability to cross it off the list when it is completed. This will motivate you to stay on course and eliminate the anxiety and overwhelm.

If the anxiety and stress don’t have you running to the cookie drawer, holiday gatherings filled with fat laden hors d’oeuvres and calorie dense cocktails can have the button pop off your pants or the cute little dress feel a bit too snug. It is important to balance those fun festivities with healthy, nutrient dense eating during the less social times. Everything in moderation is key. But, when you do overindulge (and we all do it from time to time) give yourself a break and jump back on the healthy eating train.

Speaking of jumping, it helps to balance out the extra calories with more movement. A college friend and I met for dinner on a recent excursion to New York City. She is an avid fitness guru and over dinner we were discussing different types of exercises that benefit the body. She was trying to convince me that I should take up jumping rope because it gives you the most benefit in the least amount of time. Between giggles we both came to the conclusion that I might need to leave the jump rope aside and stick to running, paddle boards and yoga after our memories were prodded and we remembered a time when I fell off a step in a step class (I admit that I am not the most fleet of foot).

Regardless, as long as you are moving in some way, this will stimulate your metabolism, sweat out toxins and help to avoid some of the weight gain that can accompany the holiday season. If all else fails, you are welcome to join me for my January Fresh Start Wellness & Detox Program where I will help you Remove toxins and inflammation from overindulgence, Restore your body to its optimal vitality, Release extra weight naturally, and Rejuvenate your body, mind & spirit that can become easily depleted during the holiday frenzy!

I know that you have just put away the orange and black decorations, and it is hard to fathom a discussion related to the red, green, silver & blue decorations to come. But, as you will see when you head to the mall, or go online to an Internet retailer the holidays are just around the corner and it is better to be prepared to meet the challenges that this season can bring with a plan of prepared action which will help to tame the tension, overcome the overwhelm and enjoy the splendor of this season of love.

**Special Note: “Thank you to the Joene’s Garden Blog for the Holly Berry picture in Fall!”

Happy Soaring!

XOXO