You don’t have to do more to be enough

I know that this time of year can be difficult for many of us for many different reasons. However, you find yourself in this season, I hope you find yourself! Remember the two questions I posted last week and set an intention to be mindful and empowered with every moment that passes. I am sending this email to encourage you today, and to remind you of these things as we embrace our Christmas holiday this weekend;

I want to remind you to REST, and that doing more or getting “it all done” doesn't mean you are more or less worthy. I happen to be a conditioned planner. Sometimes it's funny- she always has a plan!- and sometimes it's to a fault- if there's no plan, she may lose it! Every year, I take steps to reserve space during the holidays for nothingness. I don't do nothingness well, but I know I need it. I actually schedule my nothingness into my days at first, because if it's not on the schedule, it doesn't get done! (no, the irony is not lost on me…but it is how I guarantee it happens!)

Between my personality and my autoimmune struggles, I have learned the value of my own rest-to-work ratio being in alignment! It usually takes me a few days to downshift and I have learned to gradually decrease my schedule load instead of going full-tilt until the break is “warranted.” I've learned that I don't need to earn rest- that, like Christmas, it is a gift always available to me if I just choose it.

We need to sprinkle in white space and rest periodically, and allow ourselves to move toward longer breaks with ease. Spiritually, we cannot argue with God's institution of the Sabbath. And literally, we cannot argue with the very human need to take a break from the chaos!

So, I hope you, too, will join me by leaning IN to the gift of Christmas and the need to REST in that gift as we approach this weekend. Take a moment now to review your schedule, finding ways to lessen the stress from the outside and opportunities to embrace stillness. Sometimes this means saying no to things you thought you HAD to do. Sometimes it means saying yes to things that will fulfill and excite you! Either way, you will be better because you chose to rest.

I also want to remind you that things don't always have to be the same. I am one to really embrace tradition, but I also LOVE creating new traditions or spinning the approach to an old fave. This helps us manage the changes in life without rigidity and judgment and also helps us find personal meaning in things as we grow!

This approach is really rewarding when it comes to food. We know so much about our food quality and product integrity these days. Anything that I can teach you can be found online by knowing the right way to research. There are things that our bodies just don't process well, no matter how “healthy” we think we are. This has to do with everything from ingredient integrity to gut health to history of trauma and environment. There is so much about these bodies we live in that is not apparent to the naked eye…or the food processing company! I encourage you to think outside the box… literally. Lean toward real food to nourish your body through this holiday season. If you remember not feeling physically great after eating something, look for a new way to make it or replace it with something that does make you feel awesome, physically!

I teach the nitty-gritty details of this approach and how we can gain clarity on our bio-individuality in the Worthy Wellness Project! In fact, I value this approach so much, that I am gifting a copy of the Awarding Life 2021 Healthy Holiday Guide to anyone who has signed up or will sign up! The guide is filled with ideas and strategies for not sacrificing your mind, body, or spirit when it comes to food this season. It's also filled with recipes to inspire us as we make and enjoy holiday favorites with upgraded recipes. Piper's hot cocoa and momma's peppermint mocha are just two of the yummy recipes included ;-)

I pray you have a peaceful, enjoyable, delicious, and restful Christmas. I cannot wait to see what our new year has in store for us!

P.S. As you evaluate your yes's and no's to enjoy this holiday season more…I remind you that there is an invitation for yes in the coming year. Yes to nourishment and self-compassion. Yes to understanding and educated clarity. Yes to integrity and disciplined habit-formation. Yes to wellness….Your worthy wellness project awaits you!