Holiday Paranoia, Tips to Shine

Just when you have your life comfortably in a routine, and every day anxieties are overcome, along come the holidays. Will you loose your stability, or embrace the day?

Some see the holidays as a grueling Russian roulette on icy roads to see family, or stranded in weather blocked air ports with a back pack. Others see the days of Thanksgiving and Christmas as beautiful. It can be an incredibly lonely time with out family, especially when we may become aware that we have managed to cut ourselves off from every one cherished. Those that are single family members may see themselves amongst a sea of analyzing relatives. All in all, we can avoid these head trips. Stop feeding into them! I have a new take on the Christmas Star. Just travel your wilde
ess of the soul a little bit over your comfort zone. Within reason, avoid your personal paranoia and reach out to connect.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING

Maybe its time to ask your self if by ignoring loved ones, including old friends, have you shot down your own shining star? Is it it time to breath, grab the phone, and call someone you value? Have you lost track of a best friend, sister or brother, or parent? Is it time to just send out a howdy and some gratitude? It doesn't have to be that long of a call. Just an effort to end an old fight that no longer matters, or send some love and reconnect. Yes I know, why NOW? Whats any different about the holidays? I say to You, "Well if not now, WHEN?" Here is your chance."
PUT A DIFFERENT PICTURE FRAME AROUND YOUR FEAR

Try a trick that actors and athletes use when going into high stress or anxiety. Put a different picture frame around your fear. What this means is instead of imagining yourself miserable, play in your head a movie of your self happy and positive. If dreading a a long trip ahead, imagine your self stopping to stretch, having a great meal along the way in a cafe, etc. If fearful of being alone, imagine your self reading a book, watching a great movie or cooking yourself a sinfully wonderful meal. It eases the dysfunction caused by seeing things in a doom and gloom scenario. Play it enough in your head, and you follow the lead role, dramatically changing not only YOUR attitude, but the attitude of those around you.

THE CHRISTMAS STAR - SPIRIT AWAKENING.

Isn't the value of the Christmas star really about placing value on "roots" "honor" and "praise." And no, I am not talking about jumping up and down and shouting Hallelujah. I'm talking about balancing your life with connections that you have let get away from you. Follow that star! Look in your phone book, an old address book or Yellow Pages. Call a forgotten friend just to say hi. You just might find a piece of heaven in "stabilizing" your own fear that you have been forgotten. Your spirit is awakened. And you will amaze their day as well!

WHAT IF THEY CRITICIZE ME?

What if an old dispute erupts? Place your hand over your mouth and keep from blurting. Honor, praise, bond. Some call this "killing with kindness". Its about putting your own personal interests, politics, and defenses away. If it gets out of hand, smile, hang up or walk away. But keep your cool. Follow that star.

WE ALL FEAR THE DEBT FROM GIFTS

Its a strange thing that the charity of giving gifts has caused more fights, critical comparison, and long lasting financial crisis. Its as if the gifts intended to honor become the catalyst of hurt, fights and misery. And even though the majority of us are not in the same place we were when America was rolling in wealth, and this dynamic should change our gift choices, it doesn't. In truth, a small gift to a friend alone, with out the witness of others, makes a more bonding experience. The watchful eye of judgement is taken from the picture.

LET THE STAR OF PEACE SHINE ABOVE YOUR TRIBAL CIRCLE.

@ Avoid Holiday Paranoia, put a hand over your mouth when you feel the need to lash outrn @ Put the emphasis on "Honor" and getting along. @ Try the secret of Actors and Athletes, imagine your fear with a new "picture frame." See yourself in detail, moving gracefully through the day. @ With family or friends? Avoid subjects of ego or boasting. Listen instead. @ Do not preach. Who needs it? @ Call an old friend and if possible, have coffee or dinner together. @ Put an end to a pointless squabble, compassionately. {Don't point fingers!} It doesn't matter. @ If you are alone, contribute an hour to a shelter and watch the gratitude in others eyes.

Let the star of peace shine above your tribal circle, and let PEACE be your angel.