What Are You Grateful for Today

Today, I am thankful for cozy blankets and heaters. It’s been so cold in the mornings. I welcome the cooler weather but, in the mornings I truly appreciate a warm blanket and heat. I am also grateful for all of the people that read my blog messages.

What are you grateful for today?

Holiday Stress

I often find myself stressed during the holidays, ’tis the season. Sometimes, it seems like a battle between managing everyone’s expectations with my reality. I feel overwhelmed and I find myself just simply not enjoying the most magical time of the year and as a result, my family and friends become aware that holidays are not magical for me. Can you relate?

The fact is it’s the holiday’s but when I think that I will never be able to satisfy everyone, I feel overwhelmed and I start to snap at people and withdrawa from activities. In the end it’s still the holiday’s but I end up not enjoying them at all. Remember our thoughts create our feelings, which drive our actions and ultimately the outcome.

I wonder what would happen if I started to think differently about the holidays. Instead of thinking that I won’t be able to make my family happy because there is too much going on, I can’t afford the presents and my eggnog never nogs, I thought this is going to be the best holiday season ever, because I am going to be present and love every minute of making new memories. Do you think I would enjoy the season more than I have in the past?

RELATED TOPIC: How to Enjoy Christmas More 

Managing Stress

Remember that not all stress is a bad thing, so don’t put that extra pressure on yourself. Instead of focusing on eliminating ALL stress, focus on releasing your thoughts and feelings immediately following that stressful event. I remember the Christmas that my family wanted Cornish Hens and each wanted their own. Making 12 Cornish Hens was very stressful so before sitting down to enjoy my plate I had to release my thoughts and feelings of that joyful experience.

I have a checklist of reminders to myself for managing stress, that I’d like to share with you.

  • Focus on what I can control
  • Take 5 min to breathe (as I think to myself smell the flower (6), take a few seconds to enjoy the flower (3), now blow out the candle (6))
  • Grab some earphones and dance it out
  • Look at something that makes me laugh
  • List three things I am grateful for
  • Hug someone I love
  • It’s OKAY to ask for help

However you spend your holiday I wish you the happiest and joyful holiday season.

…and if nobody has told you yet today, I appreciate you, I believe in you.

Annette

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Annette Pearson
Annette was born in Canoga Park and at the age of 10 split her time between Los Angeles and Naperville IL. Annette moved to Raleigh/Durham NC in 2004 where she met and married her soul mate, Tom. Annette and her family moved from Durham NC to Thousand Oaks in 2014 and purchased their forever home in Simi Valley (2015) while having a serious case of food poisoning from grocery store sushi. Annette has worked in all facets of Health Care but has found her Niche in IT Project Management for a large Health Insurance company. She is also the owner of 'I Got Faith Baby', where she provides strength/life, health and wellness coaching, in addition to writing her own blog by the same name, Annette published her first book in January 2021, which has become an International Best Seller. Annette is passionate about the strength found in each of us, and passionately believes in the healing power of laughing hysterically. Annette's mantra is "strength is found inside of us, joy is a choice and belief is an action".

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