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The end of the year holiday season is meant to be happy and joyous, so why get all stressed out over silly stuff? In the end it’s not about the gifts, cards, decorations and all of the self-inflicted pressure and craziness. It’s about love. It’s about being around friends and family, coming together to celebrate and enjoy one another. So, in that spirit, here are my 7 top tips to have a chill holiday season that keeps you feeling good and groovy.

1. Don’t compete. Resist the urge to get caught up in lawn competitions over lights and ten-feet tall inflatable snowmen and reindeers. If you love to do this – great! All I’m saying is that there is no pressure. If you are flanked on either side by such displays, just enjoy. Maybe each cul-de sac could share resources and creativity and create a community display.
2. Make it a family affair. Setting up the home for feasting and celebrating should involve everyone in the household – it will be a lot more fun. Decide together what are the most enjoyable traditions and activities and nix the ones no one enjoys. Be a conveyor belt team of elves, putting it all together. Mom writes the cards, dad addresses the envelopes, kids stuff, seal and stamp! Same thing with cooking, baking and decorating. Teamwork creates love, laughs and happy memories.
3. Simplify. Do only the things that make you happy. Go only to the parties that sound like fun. If an event makes you feel all stressed out, don’t do it. Send cards only if you feel like it. If sending a nice email sounds easier do that – it’s the thought and sentiment that counts and lasts. People toss cards but they remember feelings. Simplify gift giving outside of your immediate family by choosing something cool/useful you can give to everyone. Make it and take it easy!
4. Stay chill, regardless. Make a decision to let nothing and no one disturb your holiday groove. Get into this zen long before family and friends arrive. Happiness is a choice. Would you rather be right, or would you rather stay chill and groovy? So what if your sister-in-law says some lame thing in an attempt to get your goat? Don’t take the bait; stay happy. So what if the stuffing is too dry? Everything else is great. Stay focused on all that is good. Just relax and have fun. Non-resistance. If we choose not to get offended or upset, everything stays merry. Choose to be the one to keep things in a positive groove by transmitting only love and goodwill, regardless.
5. Give and receive! The holidays are really an opportunity to practice the great law of giving and receiving. Giving and receiving love, that is. Giving from a generous heart and receiving with gratitude. As we give, so we receive. So by having this wonderful season to give happily, we set ourselves up to receive. If you are not giving from a place of happiness and generosity it is better you not give at all. But of course, this is a shame because you are setting yourself up for lack. As you withhold, things are withheld from you. If you want to receive, learn to give joyously. Give money to someone in need, a charity. Give stuff you no longer need to someone who can use it. Volunteer your time and services to some cause you enjoy. Share some time with some one lonely or sad. As you give, you will receive back in your own time of need.
6. Forgive and Forget. Use this special season to let go off pain and baggage. Let go off everything within your mind, heart and spirit that is not loving and kind. Let go off pain, so you can experience more love and joy. Even if you do not make amends in person, phone or email, do it within your heart – where it counts. Forgive everyone, including yourself, and be (pain)free! Start the New Year fresh and clear.
7. Be good to yourself. The holidays are no excuse to go hog wild in over-indulgences like over-drinking, over-eating, forgetting to exercise etc. Not exercising while binging out on booze and butterball will just get you depressed, so keep it balanced! Exercise, eat well, have some quiet time -  in nature, or in a bubble bath.

Happy holidays!

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Tags: Chill, farzana, farzomatic, forgive, forgiveness, happiness, Holidays, let go, life coaching, love, self-growth, stress