#12WaysofChristmas- DAY 12

12. DRINK…

WATER…lots and lots of water. Now, I don’t see too much harm in enjoying a drink or two during the holiday celebrations. I do see harm in any level of binge drinking, too much alcohol is so incredibly damaging. If you do plan to get a little loose this holiday, drink as much water as you can as well to balance it.

“Each molecule of alcohol draws 3 molecules of water from your body as it leaves.” –Paul Check

This guy knows his stuff. Too much alcohol, delicious Christmas foods and desserts high in carbs, and not enough water will lead to a bad time. Trust me, you will feel it in the morning.

Drinking water helps your body keep it together as you enjoy the many pleasures of holiday parties and feasts. It will also help you to avoid over eating with out feeling like you’re depraving yourself of the fun.

Water is the second most important thing to human life.

The first is Oxygen.

The third is our one and only Sun. 

Become deprived of these and we die pretty quickly.

SO, love your body by gulping down water regularly.

It will take care of you, if you take care of it ;).

If you haven’t caught on the to theme of the ways they are all centered on love, balance/moderation, and silliness.

The fearlessness to be silly and playful in any and all circumstances is a freedom learned only from continued practice of letting go. Not easy, but totally achievable and rewarding. Good things usually come from it. Hope everyone had nice Holidays :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee-nRUT6KHE&feature=c4-overview&list=UU2Y7Tgj2RR6Z5zxZZYYWoKg

#12WaysofChristmas - DAY 11

11. Sing

How often do people sing together anymore for the holidays?

It’s common for people to disregard singing, thinking you should only sing if your “good”. FALSE. Here is that same lesson from way #2, you are not that important. No one really cares if you have a voice like Beyoncé or a toad. The point is participation! If you suck at singing, own it and jazz it up with some sweet air guitar. Let loose!

Sing with your family.

This is another way to play and lighten the experience!

Karaoke, build a beat, get silly.

Put on some Christmas music, and get weird.

Serenade each other, giving your best Frank Sinatra impressions. Slow dance or shake that thing as the Christmas bells ring!

If you know how to play an instrument, EVEN BETTER!

Whip that puppy out and get to jamming!

Music brings and holds people together like paper clips hold paper.

Use music as a tool for silliness, laughter, and humility this holiday!

Here’s a quick catch of a song I wrote to perform for Tom’s family!

**Also, I said the wrong day...wups :) **

#12WaysofChristmas -DAY 10

10. Forgiveness

Forgiveness might just gosh darn be the most important way of not only Christmas, but of LIFE. When most hear “forgiveness” they imagine the common scenario of a conflict or tension between two people. Generally each person thinks the other person wronged them, and forgiveness is when you basically “drop the charges” and move on. This idea of forgiveness is very important for relationships to carry on past hardship, moments of tension or disagreement, etc. Relationships are so important to hold us together as a community and species. All relationships, even the smaller surface level relationships you have with the people you see day to day but don’t really know, are important. Every relationship we hold is important to our being, important to our lives, influence who we are and how we act, and are constantly changing and shifting with time. Sounds pretty turbulent.

Real forgiveness means that the “punishment” is truly dropped. That means forgive and laugh about it, but don’t hang it over their head… in your own head.

Forgiveness requires an authentic practice of keeping your attention to the moment. Not letting your brain hang it self up on the past, or wonder/worry about what’s next. Only focusing on right now. That’s true forgiveness.

Every new moment, new second, we become a new person simply because we are constantly undergoing new experiences that influence us. When practicing the way of forgiveness this holiday, look at the person for what they are right now…a new person.

Forgive yourself too, every second.

We are new in the morning, different in the afternoon, and transformed by night….CONSTANTLY.

So, let’s forgive our brains for fooling us otherwise, by thinking it knows what’s next, and celebrate newness of this holiday this moment to the next!

1Love

"Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now."

#12WaysofChristmas -DAY 9

9. Relaxation

Are you all partied out? Perhaps running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to figure out last minute gifts, packing lists, or xmas party plans. As much fun as it is to hustle and bustle, we all need to relax WAY more. Take a deep breath….slow slow slow

Take a second deep breath…I’m serious, love yourself and do it right now.

One last big ol breath in, hold it and savor it for just a second, and release it.

If you did this, I bet you already feel more relaxed and ready.

Give yourself the gift of deep breathing!

It’s a priceless gift, free for any and all humans with functional lungs.

It’s a quick drop of happy relaxation chemicals,

Lowers blood pressure,

Lowers cortisol and stress levels,

AND did I mention…its free and accessible at all times.

On top of it, the more you do it, the more relaxed and happy you will feel.

Be careful though, too many times may spark a motivation or sudden rush of energy too, giving the opposite effect.

3 full breaths, 3 times

Do it during your 10 minute selfie time in the bathroom while you practice way #1- balance of family time and you time.

Please do it. Even just one time.

You will thank me later.

And then you will thank yourself.

1Love.

To practice this way, I splurged a tiny bit and tried something new!

Sensory Depravation Floatation Tank

Talk about meditation, one of the most self-revealing and relaxing experiences.

No weight, no skin, no sound other than your own breath and heart beat, complete darkness.

http://banasalon.com

#12WaysofChristmas - DAY 8

8. Stay

This is the one time that you should probably stay at the party. Holiday parties are meant to bring family and friends together. Believe me, this “way” is one that is a challenge for me. I have granny like tendencies, and would much rather head home and hit the sheets after an over load of food, drinks, and desserts.

Learn to ride the moment.

Soak in and observe everything that’s going on at the party.

Indulge in listening to the family gossip.

Soak in the sounds of laughter and food coma groans.

Embrace the cozy closeness and warmth created by too many people in a small room. Bask in the aroma of Christmas dinner and cinnamon candles occupying the air. Really taste the pleasures of each portion that make up your Christmas feast. Get a little tipsy too, why the hell not. This is why practicing balance comes in handy. Practicing balance of discipline and indulgence creates a contrast that allows you to REALLY enjoy the many pleasures of life. It’s magical really.

Stay to appreciate the many differences and similarities between you and your family members…love the fact that you are your mother sometimes, and embrace it when you’re home with her.

I feel obligated to post a pic with nearly every post... This morning's bandana bun 1 <3

#12WaysofChristmas - DAY 7

7. Gift of Giving

If your family really wants to drop some money during the holidays, drop it in places that need it. Plan a giving activity for your family to participate in. It can be anything from a scavenger hunt race to setting up a time to serve at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Make the activity more about giving time and less about the money. Below are some ideas!

-Set up volunteer time at the closest homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

-Purchase hats, gloves, blankets and candy canes. Make little give packages and pass them out to homeless folks on the streets (Chicago is a great place to do this because of the brutal cold weather).

-Make an “acts of kindness” scavenger hunt type of activity. It could include tasks like buy flowers for a stranger, pay for the next person’s coffee without saying anything, give a card to a stranger with a message of love in it, leave a $20 tip at a fast food restaurant, etc. It’s the little things.

-Donate non-perishable food to a local shelter in need.

The list could go on.

You get the point though!

Do something for someone else...

Even if you just look at a stranger with loving eyes, empathetic eyes

Appreciating that they are human and you are human. That counts just as much if not more!

Love for no other reason, acknowledge the oneness we hold as a spieces. 

We are all on the same team.

Unconditional love. <3