Holiday pressures…

This time of year can be overwhelming for me. While my entire being craves the hibernation phase of winter, I’m jolted into overdrive with the cattle prod of expectation. I’m supposed to be spending, and giving, and traveling, and cooking, and decorating, and planning, when all I really want to do is stay quiet, solitary, introspective, and contemplative.

I’ve spent years blaming the circumstance of the season, when I should be looking in the mirror.

I don’t have to be running myself ragged.

I’m choosing this.

Let’s be honest.

I’m choosing to be carried out to sea by the tide of expectation, to beat myself up for not participating in a pace I can’t keep up with. I’m allowing it to have this effect on me. I’m not a victim here. 

What I’m coming to understand is that too much abundance is possible. I have filled my world with so much…to the detriment of my own psyche. Every minute is scheduled, every project is a life-changer, and all of my work is my soul’s purpose. Meanwhile, I haven’t had an exercise regimen in a year, I’m not meditating,  and I’m not caring for myself as I do others. When I ask myself why, I get, “Because there’s no time. This stuff has to get done. It’s important.”

As if I am not my own priority.

Self-compassion is the most important abundance.

Where, when, and why in life does our internal compass get so distorted? By what mechanism do we accept the lie that our well being is less important than nearly everything or everyone else around us?

The only truth is that I’m in charge of my world and I’m failing me.

Too much abundance of things, events, schedules. I need less right now, not more.

Seeing it is changing it. Awareness is alchemy.

Being present, living in the moment, is the gateway to inner peace. When I allow myself to start ruminating about that crazy day I have scheduled four days from now, I’m failing me. 

Letting go.

There’s an old Zen saying which goes something like, “If you don’t have 20 minutes a day to meditate, then you need to meditate for an hour a day.” We can’t expect inner peace to find us, unless we make space for it, give it somewhere to land.

And no more blaming my circumstances on tradition, or society, or commercials, or capitalism, or keeping up with the Joneses, or anyone else but me.

We are 100% responsible for where we choose to put our foot for our next step. And that is where our focus needs to remain, if we are to initiate lasting change. 

So, with this I’ll say, may your life be filled with purpose, peace, and sustainable limits. Well Being means more than seeing where we’re lacking. It means finding clarity in where we’re overloaded as well. Too much abundance leads to stagnation when we’re so energetically stuffed we can’t move!

I’m giving myself permission to let go. To make some space.

May you have the strength and faith in yourself to navigate your own limits gracefully and peacefully.

Much Love,

Kristy

P.S. ~ For a literary guide for declaring your sovereignty, and learning to accept complete responsibility for where you dream of taking your life, hop over here to purchase The Fascinated Observer: A Guide To Embodying STAR Philosophy.