TIPS TO STAY POSITIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

That time is finally upon us –  we are officially in the throws of the holiday season! I cannot believe that Christmas is only 3 days away. Truth be told I did not grow up celebrating Christmas. We grew up in a tiny village in Banse Laborie, St Lucia – with no electricity or running water –so Christmas really wasn’t something we did.

Growing up I experienced it through relatives & friend’s homes  I grew to love the warmth and what Christmas represents  – a time for family & friends, singing Christmas carols, having Black cake, sorrel, lots of yummy food,  and having fun! So in this spirit, I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday – Merry Christmas – Happy Kwanzaa – I wish you unity, love, joy & peace.

No matter what you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful time making new memories & celebrating old ones with family and friends.

Even though it’s a time to build great memories, it goes without saying you may encounter some family members you’re not the most thrilled to be around.

Regardless, we have some quotes to help get you in the right mindset to make the most of your time with your family.

“Govern a family as you would cook a small fish – very gently.”~ Chinese Proverb

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” ~ Maya Angelou

“we must take care of our families wherever we find them.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”~ Confucius

“Family life is full of major and minor crisis – the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce- and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It’s difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul.” ~ Thomas Moore

Now, the holidays may not always bring about positive feelings for everyone, and that’s why it’s especially important to stay positive and remember that you are not alone. I know, it’s easier said than done to stay positive because when you’re down and you’ve reached that slump, it can feel impossible to get out. But here are some tips to keep in mind that can help encourage you to focus on staying in that mindset.

• Focus on the now – there’s always a bright side & there is always more good than bad. Focus on that.
• Don’t lose sight of the big picture – this will pass and you will see happier days.
• Understand what it is you’re feeling – honour that feeling – acknowledge it- take care of yourself take 5 deep breaths. Acknowledgement is the gateway to self-care.
• Engage in “me-time” – don’t be scared to say no and de-stress, or even if you are scared, feel the fear & excuse yourself anyways. Go for a walk,  excuse yourself & do what is best for you.

Bringing family together can stir up difficult conversations about just about anything and I know that feeling guilty goes hand in hand with having them with a family member or loved one.

Check out the blog post below and prepare yourself before exploring being honest and open about what truly matters to you.