Time For Heartfelt Holidays......

Greetings Dear Readers! Today I continue to share with you my thoughts and ideas for creating Heartfelt Holidays.

We started with taking time to envision the Holiday Season we want to create. Be certain to put in place the steps to get there. Decide what is a priority and what can you let go. On the sentimental side I offer......

November is about Thanksgiving! We can express our gratitude in a variety of ways, knowing that it touches the lives of others and serves as a reminder to ourselves of how Blessed we are. Give these few a try.

Note of Thanks to a family member! What a pleasant surprise for them to find a note on their pillow, in their car or randomly text to them. Perhaps saying that you are "grateful for the smiles and energy they bring to the family" or "Thanks for bringing out the recycle bins and picking up the Bunny poop. It helps a lot".

Write a Thank You note to a former teacher, employer or friend, that has touched your Life at some point and made a difference for you. Perhaps a note to a teacher who has your child as a student now.  Acknowledge and recognize what specifically they are doing to enhance your child's education.

STICKY NOTES! Leave them in the mail box for the mailman,  and  on your outgoing trash bins  ~ although now that they are picked up remotely by a truck here, with the driver inside, it could be a bit trickier. Instead make a large sign that simply says "THANK YOU!" they'll get the message. If space allows you could say "Thanks for helping keep me clean".

Kudos to you! I have had great fun giving out individual Kudos snack bars with a note attached that says "Kudos to you for all that you do". I have given them to teachers, crossing guards, doctor's office staff. You name it, if I'm grateful of the actions of someone who helps me, I let them know.

The possibilities and joy it brings is priceless! And in keeping with recognizing what we are grateful for I must say:

Thank you Dear Readers for coming back for more! More Than Mom Thoughts was a venture I took three years ago this past October. I took the leap and jumped in without my floaties to give this whole "blogging world" a try. I am glad I did, and because of all of you I have realized the water is real nice.  To you I share a heartfelt Thank You for all the support  and encouragement and most of all for being on this journey with me. I am learning so much!!!

Gratefully Yours,
Maria
My very first blog post can be found by clicking Remembering to breath............

Kicking Arse In Old Quebec City..................

Kicking fear's F'n Ass in Old Quebec City!

No not fear of germs in the street...... of letting fear hold me back from travelling.

Dear Readers, today I offer to you thoughts of encouragement and empowerment, to ease whatever holds you back in your Life. It doesn't matter if others understand it or not.....if it is crippling and difficult for you, then it is very real! Begin easing the anxiety.......take a breath.....commit to wanting to make it different for You! Start with tiny steps and watch the distance they will take you. Know that it will feel uncomfortable and you'll want the unsettling feelings to stop...the thing is this, those feelings are really the indicator that you are working on something, that once past it, will have the freeing reward of true accomplishment and moving forward! 

Be kind to yourself during the process...Remember positive self talk is much more beneficial than the damage of sabotaging ourselves with negative thoughts.

From experience I can share with you that it isn't an easy process, it doesn't happen quickly, it's never completely gone and it's not easy to navigate, [ready for the big but?]...BUT...stick with it and know the rush of "I did it", while doing your happy dance [or kissing the cobblestone] 

is totally.....Worth It!

Tested And Proven................

"Try pausing right before or after undertaking a new action, even something as simple like putting a key in a lock to open a door. Such pauses take a brief moment, yet they have the effect of decompressing time & centering you."  ~ Br. Steindl-Rast

Read the above quote in my email last week and decided to give it a try. The "yeah right?" side of my brain was a tad skeptical, but I figured "what do I have to lose?" Well, probably an hour all toll at the end of the day if I was stopping with each new action...but I gave it a try just the same.

The results, for me, were actually positive. I did in fact make the conscious effort to take a breath before a new action. Hand on the dial of the washing machine...pause...close my eyes...take a breath...and then a thought of peacefulness. The gentle pause felt calming & I found that they accumulated over the day. I could feel the tightness in my neck and shoulders slowly easing.

Give it a try and feel the benefits of breaking the racing feeling that can so easily happen, as we dash from one thing to the next.

It then occurred to me that the key in the lock example is actually pretty symbolic, because a door has been opened by consciously pausing & decompressing time. It can take us to new places. Where will it take you?