I find that after the holidays my focus tends to shift from my kids to myself. What's important to me? What do I want to change in my life? How can I find more happiness and contentment with my hectic life? So, I let the kids cut loose with all of their new toys and tell them, "Don't bother me right now".
The first area of my life that always demands my attention is stress and overall health. This is the time of year when I make a point of spending extra time pampering myself. If I didn't get any new bath products for Christmas I will splurge on something new - bath salts, aromatherapy oils, cleansers, make-up, perfume. I like to reorganize my beauty & bath products, throwing out the old stuff and enjoying the new. My favorite New Year's Eve activity is a massage and candlelit lovemaking, not a loud party.
I really don't like New Year's resolutions. They add stress because they are full of "I should's". Instead, I reflect on the blessings in my life and say a prayer of thanksgiving for them all. Any resolutions I make involve reducing unnecessary activities and stress and adding more joy and hope.
I never feel guilty about this self-focus. It's a must for me. I like the analogy described by Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her inspiring book "Gift of the Sea". She talks about a mother as the center of a circle of relationships. The center must be renewed and refilled in order to continue to nourish the circle of children, partner, home, work, and community.
I'm sure you will enjoy these sites for self-renewal in your own life.
- Stress Reduction Techniques Mind Tools
- About Yoga
- Beauty Makeover Tool Redbook Magazine
- Wellness Prevention Magazine
- Ten Guidelines for Developing a Personal Self-Care Plan - HealthWorld Online
- Basic Guided Relaxation Technique - L. John Mason, PhD Stress Education Center
- Exceptional Mental Health Al Seibert at ThriveNet
- Massage Tips About Holistic Healing
- HealthWorld Online
