Trouble does not take time off for
celebrations or holidays and neither should you. Every day of life is a special
gift. Celebrating the holidays is a wonderful way to distract us from our
treatments, illness and crisis. When we
embrace and celebrate a gift of love, we automatically give back as much as we
received. Accepting love is also a gift to the giver.
“But how can I celebrate when I
feel so poorly?” you may ask. I asked the same question while I battled three
breast cancers over ten years. So the solutions shared here with you are tried
and true.
1.
Embrace the gift of love during the holidays as
a first step in enjoying life during times of strife. Disaster is temporary.
Love is eternal. Focus on the love and
joy will happen. It is part of the miracle of life.
2.
Take time to love the simple things in life. Celebration
is not measured by how many things you do, how much money you spend, or how
lavishly you entertain. It is measured by how much you share the gift of love
and how deeply that gift is felt. Celebration
comes from accomplishments. Celebration does not come from your mental “to do
list.” It comes from your heart’s, “I did it list.”
3.
Start your “I did it list” by writing down your victories
in life, no matter how small. Size is a concept and state of mind. Diamonds
come in very small packages yet they are a very big commodity. What diamonds do you have to share with
yourself that exemplify your life’s accomplishments? Honor them by keeping them with you. When you feel the weight of treatment, illness
or life-in- general bearing down upon you, take out your list and re-read it.
If you are having an exceptionally bad day, read it to your reflection in a
mirror until you believe it. Mirror therapy can be very effective.
4.
Define your limits and know your limitations
while in crisis, treatment or recovery. When
faced with an emotional or physical decision that is taxing or vexing, ask
yourself, “Will life continue to exist if I do not do this?” If the answer is,
Yes!” choose to not do
it. Remember that the choice is always
yours to accept or reject any request or demand. The word “No” does not require an explanation.
Just like the word “Because” “No” is its own complete statement. If you feel
compelled to soften the blow add, “But thank you so much for asking.” Embracing this concept is a big step in
defining your limits and limitations during the holidays that can become a New Year Resolution.
5.
Sit back
and let others show their devotion to you during this challenging time in your
life. Receiving affection, compliments or gifts is not always easy for many
people. You become so accustomed to
giving that you overlook the importance of getting. Look at receiving from a
different perspective. Allowing others
the opportunity to display their love to you may be the best gift you ever gave
to them. It can become the memory of a lifetime. Give them the gift of
pampering you.
6.
The holidays are filled with miracles. Some are
as small as a newborn baby. Some as big as a second chance at life. Watch for
miracles during holiday family gatherings, and remember to give thanks for the
small things in life.
During a personal crisis it can be
difficult to relinquish control of things that were considered “your job.”
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and shift power into the hands of others can
be daunting. Trusting in your Higher Power to lead family members can be a big
leap of faith, and that may be a good thing.
Agree to let others help you with
cores or cherished jobs like trimming the tree or cooking the holiday meal. It
may be a way of seeing how much you have influenced their life in a positive
way and a wonderful opportunity to tweak family traditions so that you have
more energy to enjoy the festivities. Think
of this change as a temporary respite from past frenzies, no matter how
enjoyable they may have seemed at the time.
This holiday season choose to embrace
the opportunity to sit back, relax and share the gift of love by allowing loved
ones, family and friends to pamper you like you’ve never been pampered before.
You deserve it. They deserve it. Eat it up!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kathleen O’Keefe Kanavos is the
International Bestselling author of SurvivingCancerland:
Intuitive Aspects of Healing, & 3x Breast Cancer Survivor whose dreams
diagnosed cancer. Kat believes dreams diagnose your life. “Did you have a déjà-
vu or did your dream come true?” Kat’s interpretations are in American Express Open Forum. She’s a TV
& Radio Host for Wicked Housewives On
Cape Cod, Coach, Keynote Speaker, “go-to authority” on Beauty, Health,
Wealth & Relationships, Panelist/Presenter at IASD (International Association for the Study of Dreams), columnist,
& blogs on sites like DreamCloud, Breast Cancer Yoga. Kat taught Special
Education and Psychology at USF. http://survivingcancerland.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment