Why You Are Never Alone

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" min_height="" hover_type="none" link=""][fusion_text]The holiday season, formerly known as the Holy Days, are nearly here. And for some people it is a time when many emotions are triggered causing feelings of sadness, loss, depression and loneliness. Being aware of this also means it is a very good time to take great care of your emotional self and realize you are never alone.Every year leading up to Christmas is the Winter Solstice, a most sacred time that coincides with the celebration of Christ and this year Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve. It's a wonderful time to sit with yourself and listen to that quiet voice within that we often don’t take the time to hear. We’re running here and there, doing this and that, finding all manner of ways to distract us from the most precious gift we can offer ourselves. Often we’re walking around, sad, irritated, and out of sorts without being aware of our disconnect. Why? Because we’re doing all we can to avoid being with ourselves. Some of us crave solitude, while others avoid it like the plague.I would like to encourage you to spend some time with yourself to listen to your heart’s desire. Write in your journal and express what you have been repressing or just not acknowledging. Allow these thoughts to come up and out so that you can determine to take right action or eliminate those thoughts that are not serving you. Check out this quick video on The Art of Stopping by Thích Nhât Hanh.Avoid being around people, gathering and situations that stress you. Stay home and be with yourself, be with the most amazing person in the world... you!  Even if you have small children, family, and guests in your home, there is a way to find time to be with yourself in a meaningful way, a way that nurtures and energizes you.  Realize that no one will give you that special time to be with you, you must carve it out for yourself.  This is the practice of self care.There are so many rewarding ways to be with ourselves and discover the magic of being present to our own greatness, our divinity. Here is a list of some of what I do to get right with me that you might consider:

• .Meditation – there are many kinds of meditations. My favorite is one of the easiest, it’s just following the breath. Find a quiet place, sit and close your eyes and focus your mind on just following your breath.  Every time you realize your mind has gone elsewhere, you just gently bring it back and continue following the breath. If you’ve never meditated before, start with just 5 minutes of this practice daily. Eventually you will want to extend the time.
• Reading – I become inspired from reading sacred texts, poetry and or philosophy. I’m sure you have a least one book that would easily fit into one of these categories that you love. Reading these books anew for even a short while, will nourish your soul.
• Bathing – Ahhh, the feeling of being back in the womb in the warmth and gentleness of water, the elixir of life. Here is where I use Anu Essentials to transport me. Our  products are formulated not with new, manufactured synthetic scents, but with ancient aromas that carry our same DNA and help to heal our bodies, minds and hearts.
• Music - Listening to sacred music or any kind of music that inspires you.  Whether it’s gospel or some music from the other side of the planet can heal the soul. You may go for something something new and different or something familiar and comforting.

• Moving Meditation – There are number of gentle, slow activities that can go under the banner of moving meditation.  One is mindful walking. Journaling is another. My favorite these days are adult coloring books. How wonderful it is to bring a childhood joy into adulthood.  And of course, there's yoga or dancing.  Dance like no one is watching and have fun with it.
• Resting - Taking naps, "sleeping in" as they call it does the nervous system a world of good. This is especially so during the two most sacred times of the year, the Summer Solstice(June 21^st-24^th) and the Winter Solstice (December 21^st to 24^th). Most people miss this opportunity to tune into the Universe during the Solstice, this sacred time of the year because we’ve been conditioned to rip and run leading up to Christmas day. When we do this, we miss the most important part of this holiday.
• Nature - Nothing heals like nature.  Weather permitting spend time in nature to heal and restore you.
• Acknowledge your Ancestors – It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  Purchase some white flowers and put them on a table with photos of your dearly departed, perhaps light a candle and say a prayer and or speak to your love ones on the other side of eternity. As I’ve mentioned before, Ancestors like it when you talk about them, but they love it when you talk to them. Tell them how much you love and miss them, and anything else you’d like them to know. Then sit and listen to hear what they may need to share with you.

What are some of the things you like to do to renew yourself? Please share them with us here.  This is the most precious gift you can give to you and to those who love you. We can demonstrate loving others by taking good care of ourselves, our emotional, mental and physical health. We don’t have to be sad, lonely or anxious. Even if you are with family and friends you can feel alone if you’re not tuned in and taking care of you. Tap in and decide to see that most precious side of yourself. See in yourself what you admire in others.  It's there. Begin by listening to that very quiet voice within and know that your angels and ancestors are always with you wherever you are. We are loved and we are never alone.

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