Dearest one,

It is that time of year when the world becomes both busier and calmer.

When the push to be a consumer increases 1000 fold
and the need to step away from that,
for me, and maybe you too,
increases
much
much
more.

It is that time of year when
for some the days are getting longer
and for others,
the days are getting shorter.

It is that time of year when
families and friends get together -
some with love in their hearts,
some with anger and resentment in their hearts.

It is that time of year when
some wish to hide away
and others become so lonely that they wish the day to end,
before it has just begun.

It is that time of year when
some open their doors,
and others choose to close them.

It is that time of year when
for some
the religious significance is important.

And for others,
it is the connection to the land, the seasons
and the journey the earth takes around the sun.

And sometimes,
it is all of the above
and more.

Whatever this time of year means for you, this post offers you some ideas as to how to make Christmas, the Holiday Season, and family gatherings

• Be kind. When you are kind to yourself and kind to others life becomes softer.

• See a sunrise or a sunset - these are the soft times of the day - when night turns to day, and day turns to night.

• Pause. Consciously pausing invites a softness to come around you and fill you. It invites you to step away,
  even for a micro-minute,

  from the noise and busyness of life.

• Only do what you can. There is no need to make things complicated. Take your time. Choose wisely. Be conscious.

• Write a list. Do just one thing a day. Or two at the most. The day before Christmas and the day of Christmas there will be a continual list of things to do. If you can pace yourself now this will enable softness to be your companion as you navigate the To Do List.

• Take a deep long SOFT breath in.

  Pause.

  Then softly, slowly breathe out.

• Hug yourself. And hold that hug for at least 30 seconds.

• Talk gently and mindfully to yourself. Softly. The words you say out loud and in your mind help to create the energy around you. Remember to speak soft words to yourself. These words will help sustain you when the world around you becomes too busy.

• Know that you can choose to make, bake, create, improvise and gather, rather than having to buy buy and buy some more.

• If you need to go to the shops be mindful of the times you are going so you can miss the crowds and the experience becomes soft and refreshing, rather than frantic and chaotic.

• Use essential oils. Smell them and let the smell go deep into your being. Chamomile. Lavender. Frankincense. Cederwood. Rose. Mandarin. These are my favourite “soft” oils as they help to create a calm energy in me and around me while also “supporting” me.

  Rub some essential oils into your body or even better, if you can, get a massage. Envision those tense hard places melting and becoming softer.

• Step out in nature and focus on something soft - petals, butterflies, fluffy clouds.

• Eat foods that are soft - for example, stews and soft fruits.

• Eat slower and mindfully and chew for longer. When you chew longer your food becomes softer and your body digests it better.

I believe that through Softness, an inner strength can rise and this can open doors to beautiful relationships, connection and beauty.

I believe that through Softness we can interact in a way that can/will melt icy walls and facilitate deeper relationships and healing.

I believe that through Softness in our touch, our mind, our voice and our energy we will be able to create a different footprint upon the Earth and this in turn will help to heal the past, the present and the future.

Thoughts to ponder:

What can you do to create a softer Christmas and/or Holiday Season?

What can you do to facilitate softness in your own community?

What ideas mentioned above resonated with you the most and why?

Leave a comment

In honour of your preparations for Christmas and/or the Holiday Season ahead.

Blessed be,