Friday 27 December 2013

Avoiding The Christmas Blues

Every year around this time, I normally hit a wall and mentally crash.  I become negative and experience really unpleasant emotions of sadness.  I contribute these bad feelings to over extending myself and over indulging.  This year I promised myself I was going to work towards not feeling this way, I was going to enjoy Christmas, all of my time off and go into the New Year with a positive and healthful frame of mind.

Over the last six months I have gradually become more aware of my body, mind and spirit and how it reacts to certain situations.  I have slowly tried to move further away from activities and substances that don't make me feel great and I have made an effort, to spend more time on the activities  that energize me like, prayer, yoga and exercise.

Because I have been applying myself to constantly improving my lifestyle, I didn't want to throw it all away just for two weeks of holiday fun, so I decided I would stay on an even keel and head into the holidays just the same as I have been facing all my weeks prior, with the goal of finding balance in every situation.  Now, please do not miss understand me, I do not claim to be perfect, I simply have a new awareness of how I am in control of how I feel and that I have the power to make myself feel great.  I have still enjoyed delicious unhealthy food and drink over the holidays but just not in such abundance that I hate myself for it a day later.

The holidays are not over yet but I am feeling on top of the world.  I have a few planning projects that I have been picking away at for CCI Studios over the last few days and I am excited for what is in store for me in my career in 2014.  I have discovered a love of yoga and the spiritual path it is taking me on and look forward to continuing to follow this journey in the new year.  Spending time on my mat has also allowed me to spend more time in prayer, getting to know God better and the more I spend time with Him, the happier I become.  My husband continues to surprise me with his affectionate heart and I feel like we grow closer everyday.  The older I get the bigger my heart grows for my entire family as my understanding of their value in my life grows.

2013 was an excellent year for me, I think this year I have taken some large steps in personal happiness and I think I have gained some very useful tools that will help me to face any challenging times that may come my way.  I am so excited for 2014, I look forward to finding out what it has in store for me.

Sunday 22 December 2013

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things

I was watching the Sound of Music (the new version with Carrie Underwood) and as she sang "My Favourite Things",  I started to think about all of my favourite things about Christmas.  As I get older and time passes a little quicker, I realize how important it is to spend your time well.  At the beginning of each Christmas season, I always have a mental list of the things I know I want to enjoy, here are some of my favourite things to enjoy during Christmas.

1) A lit Christmas tree in my living room.

2) A lazy day on the couch with my snuggly dog and husband watching movies and eating junk food.

3) A snow storm.

4) Finding the perfect Christmas gift for someone and watching their excited expression as they open it.

5) Gingerbread lattes, coffee, specialty coffee and any warm drinks in the winter.

6) Giving.

7) Cooking a turkey dinner for my family.

8) The way a roasting turkey makes your house feel warm and smell amazing.

9) Christmas movies, The Family Stone, Family Vacation, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, just  to name a few.

10) Telling people Merry Christmas.

11) Writing Christmas cards.

12) Remembering that the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus and embracing the love that comes with knowing he came for me.

13) Old family holiday traditions and making my own, new holiday traditions.

Monday 16 December 2013

Learning To Say No

Its not always easy but sometimes saying no is the best thing to do.  A few days ago, I was suppose to travel out of town for work, which would have occupied the rest of my night, leaving not much time left at the end of the day to do anything else.  There were multiple looming deadlines at work and just a ton of stuff to get done (which is a good thing) but as I thought about the best way to prioritize what needed to be accomplished in my evening hours that night, travelling was slowly moving to the bottom of the list.  So we cancelled our plans to go out of town and that was that.

It felt relieving knowing that I now had sufficiant amount of time to complete the tasks that needed to be completed without wearing myself out and you know what, the next day I was ready and raring to take on what the day would throw my way.

I don't know about you but, when I am tired I make bad choices on what I eat, do and say, but I am learning to listen to my body and be aware of my limits.  I have learned that when I over extend myself the days following are less focused and productive so instead of trying to cram everything in, I am working on balance more than ever and ensuring I have time for things that continue to make me healthier, happier and stronger.  Saying no use to be followed by feelings of guilt but now I know, that I will be better for it if I am near the end of my rope.

On the flip side of this note, I do not believe in perfection, my life and schedule will never be perfectly aligned but I feel good knowing that I am taking positive steps in the right direction.

Ever on a quest for improvement and balance.....
xoxo Audrey