December to Remember | Week 4 ::LOVE::

 

 

 

By now it has really hit us that the year is nearing an end and a brand new one is just around the corner. Let us look back the past twelve months and recall the highlights of 2014 --- the triumphs and accomplishments, people we may have lost and miss, friends and family we shared and rejoiced with in their successes. Among these we may find some hurts but guess what? It is done, gone and is in the past so recalling and dwelling on it will just keep the pain in your heart and what we all need is peace. Set it aside or better yet toss it out the door and remember how good it felt to be in peace and love for that person. Some of us may have lost connections with friends and family and it is such a gnawing, achy and unsettling feeling. Before 2014 is gone for good, why not reach out to these people again? It doesn't matter who is at fault, just make the move and if that person doesn't react the same then at least you did your part and was truly genuine about it. I've witnessed a lot and have been in all kinds of life's dramas and here's what I have to say no matter the situation...

 

GET OVER IT. 

 

There will be no change if we do not make it happen, the other person will be doing the same but may not make a move. What are you waiting for? The right time? Wouldn't you want to feel light and free once you've let go of the burden of hurt and start to LOVE again?... Of course! No one said it would be easy, that things will be fine and dandy right away, it definitely takes time but someone's gotta do something about it first.

 

With love life can go on. Love is giving that part of yourself you know may hurt you but are willing to give it anyway (and aren't we guilty of this?). Love is working the process of forgiving someone who has wronged you. It is holding back on judgments or comments and trying to see things from the other person's point of view. It is talking face to face rather than leaving things to solve themselves by avoidance because love is being proactive.  Love is not sacrificing what you have but sharing who and what you are.

 

 

"The measure of love is to love without measure"

Though December 25 may not be the actual birth of Christ still we celebrate the love of our creator and show the same to the people we care about, who we LOVE. Let's not wait for the last page in the story of our lives to know how and who we end up making peace with, but rather look to the very beginning and remind ourselves that love was meant for everyone - God loved the whole world, not a select few.

 

 

May the grace of God enlighten and guide us all to pursue love this holiday season and for the rest of our days!

 

 

 

December to Remember | Week 3 ::JOY::

 

 

December days are really flying by and it's already the end of the third week. In just a few days it's Christmas! Let us not forget the true meaning of the season and just as important, the "feels" that accompany our gift given tradition and festive celebration ...

"delight, happiness, glee, elation, bliss, euphoria...etc. "

When you Google the word "JOY" these are some of the many synonyms you will find. Out of all the definitions I've gone through I think I like dictionary.com's the most -

Joy - noun:  a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated; the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

          verb: a state of happiness or felicity; be glad; rejoice.

It is definitely a state of happiness --- birthdays, weddings, graduation, the birth of a child, passing the board exam, finding out you are cancer free, a baby's first step and first word, the feeling you get when passing the driving exam at DMV. These are life's milestones, events that cause delight, is something very much valued - pure joy. It is an indescribable feeling of happiness that cannot be put into words but leaves you smiling literally to the point laughter! It is truly that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that touches you and you just want to shout it out to the world. This, too, is the feeling of Christmas. Not when we receive but when we give. Just try to imagine the person receiving the gifts we give, their reaction, how they are feeling right then and there. These are the best moments you want to witness and appreciate because their feelings of joy in accepting your gift becomes yours in return. Joy is contagious, it is both cause and effect and is top three in the hierarchy of positive emotions. You know what follows after JOY? Gratitude and then Love. Now don't you want yourself some Joy right about now?

May your days be filled with JOY and more Joy this holiday season!

December to Remember | Week 2 ::PEACE::

PEACE is a world we can create within ourselves.

(No Bah Humbug's allowed)

If there's one thing I've learned to work within myself (and still am) is how to create and achieve inner peace - to de-stress, slow down and unwind.  Wouldn't this be a better world if everyone chose peace over war, hate & drama, guilt & selfishness, anger and pain...etc.? And just like love, PEACE is a choice.

 

"A mind quick to react in defense or with negativity is a mind unhappy and stressed."     ~ @catmac_

 

Search Google Play Store

We are fortunate to live in an age where convenience is just at our fingertips. There are several apps out there that serve as tools to help ease stress and set a soothing ambiance.
For instance NATURE SOUNDS, mother earth has infused our surroundings with soothing sound waves, we just have to tune in! My personal preferences are the sounds of flowing or dripping water, ocean waves rushing to shore, rain ranging from light showers to torrential storms, chirping crickets at night, the ticking of a clock, sounds of a gong from a distance, spa music from a flute, piano, voilin and wind chimes. We underestimate how therapeutic nature is and we opt for the more louder, polluting sounds. Try these and really pay close attention to your breathing while easing into a calm place in your mind. Nothing else matters... just YOU.


 



Bath&Body Works Aroma Therapy Body Wash

Another thing that helps me set the mood for a mental detox  are SCENTS. Aromatherapy and scented candles provide an immediate soothing effect and can be  purchased anywhere. It is all about allotting time for yourself to create a safe haven  or to be in a state of less or zero worries, let yourself go and not think about what bothers you even for a moment. It'll make a big difference. (Photo details: Eucalyptus Tea Stress Relief Aromatherapy body wash & foam bath; Eucalyptus Mint and Mahogany Teakwood scented candles; Citrus Bliss essential oil)

 



Bath&Body Works scented candles, doTERRA Essential Oils

Establishing inner peace is having ACCEPTANCE - know that you need to help yourself, that your weaknesses affect your life and your relationship with others. Realize that YOU can make and create a solution. Just like nature, stressors are all around us. No one promised our lives to be smooth sailing and stress free but we can definitely make the most of it!  Find ways to create calmness in your mind even when our lives are so busy and hectic.    

No one else will make this time for you and the better you are with others when you are in a state of peace and relaxation. When you have reached that point, close your eyes and say THANK YOU. Share this with someone you know who is burdened with stress too.

"Communication and sharing is just as powerful as the knowledge imparted."     ~ @catmac_ 

Lastly, ain't nothing wrong with little IGNORANCE... what affects us most is what we bring attention to whether big or small. We've all heard of the saying "Ignorance is bliss" -  it is so true :)

Before the year ends, let's truly pay attention to our inner self. Let go of turbulent feelings and share the peace we experience so that it is more powerful than any virus or contagious disease, that it takes over and becomes the most positive and liberating feeling you could give yourself and others!

 

 

~ Peace be with You ALL ~

P.S.
Be enlightened through literature, and if  you don't have the time to read then LISTEN to inspirational books. I take advantage of my time during my commute to work to listen ---



Here are some of my current favorite books I recommend:

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

Hero: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and It's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, Ph.D. (a Bay Area native)

 

download the app at Audible.com

December to Remember | Week 1 ::GOOD THOUGHTS and CHEER::

Now that most of the craziness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping has passed, the first week of December marks the time to reflect on the special individuals we are gifting (or about to) and sharing happiness with! Have a list of people and take a good look at their names and really feel the love for these individuals, how blessed we are to have them, how they impact and influenced us and most importantly how they never failed to be there for us. There are just some gifts that cannot express how we feel for these special people and when expenses are hitting the ceiling, I think one of the best ways to share good thoughts and cheer is putting them in words - blank holiday cards. It provides you space and the convenience to truly pour out your feelings for someone, how much you appreciate them and wishing them well this holiday season.

You can put it in poem form or write down a practical joke to put a smile on their face. Keeping it concise but sweet... and true to form --- it's the thought that counts. I like to accent cards like this with candy (candy cane or your choice of chocolate).

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR --- 

Why not reach out to those who make our lives livable? People you encounter daily or on a schedule who you've developed great relationships with that need some love for their countess hours of service like : 

• company janitor/custodian
• postman
• security guards/volunteers
• your mechanic
• your beauty specialists (manicurist, esthetician, hair dresser)
• neighbors