“over-drive” and approach the holidays behavior to the suffering underneath
A Simple Centering Practice
like a marathon. There’s no question that’s causing the behavior. Also, notice Do this practice for 3 minutes
that the activities of the holidays - any extra stress that you add to the situ- or more), several times a day,
enjoyable as they may be - place extra ation by trying to change the person or throughout the holidays:
demands on our physical and mental control their behavior, or by becoming 1. Sit on a chair or bench.
energy. But getting run-down or being defensive and reactive. Try to shift your 2. Sense the bottoms of your feet
cranky from fatigue doesn’t serve you or energy and attention from resisting or on the floor.
anyone well! So while you’re thinking controlling to taking care of yourself 3. Sense your butt sitting on the
of others, think of yourself, too. Choose and getting support. Pray, meditate, flat of the chair.
nurturing self-care activities such as or write in a journal - however you 4. Straighten your back and
exercise, bubble baths, spa treatments, connect with Spirit - to remind yourself shoulders. (Don’t lean back
massage, or reading a good book. Also, how joyous it feels to be unconditional- into the chair.)
practice a simple centering activity (see ly loved. As you center yourself, you’ll 5. Take deep, long, relaxed
box below). Do this practice for a few find that a wonderful thing about Pres- breaths.
minutes, several times a day, and your ence is, the more it shows up in you, 6. Keep your focus on your
body will get the message that it does the more it shows up in others around breath while also sensing your
not need to go into over-drive. Over- you, too. feet, butt, and back.
drive might feel productive, but it’s I know I’ve sometimes thought about 7. Notice any sensations that
actually a reactive state in which your all I intend to do for the holidays, and result and thank yourself for
body cannot feel much of anything - let I imagine (hope!) that joy will happen this moment of presence.
alone joy! as a result. This year, I’m going to flip
Lead with your heart. Admittedly, that around. I intend to be present in
some of our stress comes from being ways that enable joy to arise moment by Nancy Scheel is an integral coach
around certain people in our lives. It’s moment, and see what holidays happen whose clients develop personal and
likely that whoever made you nuts last as a result! I invite you to do the same. professional effectiveness through a
year, will be doing so again this year. This year, give fewer presents and more focus on both skill and soul. She can be
What a great time to practice compas- presence. And may the many joys and reached at nancy@SkillAndSoul.com or
sion! As annoying (or hurtful) as the blessings of the season be yours! 305.757.2535. See ad page 5.
person may be, try to see past their
GIVING
ENTERTAINING
holidays šj^[[ii[dj_Wb]k_Z[

GIFTIDEAS
TIPS
December 2008 49
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