Are You Ready For the Holidays?

The holiday season is just around the corner, and for many of us, it's a time of excitement, joy, and anticipation. However, it can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and even sadness. If you've ever had that recurring nightmare where you forget to buy gifts or can't find the perfect present, you're not alone. But fear not, because there are ways to transform this season into a beautiful and joyful experience for you and your loved ones.

To me, a recurring dream I have serves as a powerful metaphor for the holiday season. It symbolizes the struggle to balance the desire to make unforgettable memories with my family and the weight of worries and fears that we carry. It also reminds me of my mother, who was always prepared for Christmas and made it a magical time for our family. However, since her passing nine years ago, her absence has left a void that initially made the holiday season feel sad.

But there's a couple of things that I've done to make Christmas a beautiful season instead of a stressful season.

1) I make it easier on myself.
One way to make the holiday season more manageable and less stressful is by simplifying the gift-giving process. Instead of embarking on a frantic shopping spree, try this approach: have your kids create a wish list online.

I have my kids go online and look for what they want for Christmas. And then on a shared Google doc, they put the links to the things they want. Then all I have to do is go through and make choices based on their list and click and put it in my cart and it's done. In just a matter of minutes, your holiday shopping can be completed, and you'll have more time for the meaningful aspects of the season.

2) We all experience the unfortunate effects of loss and grief at some point in our lives.
And it can come so close to crippling us and taking away the joy and the excitement that we might otherwise feel at holiday and special times. This most certainly was true for me for several years after my mom passed away when it came to Christmas.

And there was this special moment that happened about three or four years after she passed away where I finally just got really mad. I got really mad because grief had taken something from me that mattered to me.

And I decided in that moment to take it back.

The following year when I was in a store shopping and some Christmas music came on, and I felt excitement for the first time since she had passed. My eyes welled up with tears as I realized that I got to decide what my experience was, that I was no longer bound by previous grief or trauma, that I got to take back this season for me.

And so how do you make this season a joyful one?

It's not selfish to create something that fills you up and brings you joy.
Because when you are filled up, when you are lit up, you become a lighthouse to others and your ability to serve and contribute expands exponentially.

Your ability to serve and contribute to the happiness of those around you expands exponentially when you choose joy. You become a gift to all those in your life because you've made the conscious decision to embrace the joy of the season. And in doing so, you inspire hope in others, showing them that they too can choose joy, regardless of their circumstances.

This holiday season, let us remember that it's within our power to transform our nightmares into beautiful dreams. By simplifying our holiday preparations and choosing joy over grief or stress, we can create a season filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

And when you decide to have joy, when you choose joy, no matter what the circumstances are, you give others hope that they too can choose joy, and what greater gift can you give this Christmas and holiday season?

If you're going through the tough road of grief, I want to share a personal discovery with you - our Rose Essential Oil and Blend of Rose. The tender, floral notes of rose have the remarkable ability to help ease your emotions and bring a sense of peace to the turbulent seas of sorrow.

What's more, they can ease stress and anxiety, allowing you to find moments of relaxation amidst the discomfort. These oils can also promote better sleep. By adding them to your daily routine, you might find a comforting and personal touch that helps you navigate your grief, offering a little bit of solace and support when you need it most.