It seems to me that the quality of our life should concern us far more than the wake or trail we leave behind. If we endeavor to live well, to use our personal strengths effectively, and seek to be as healthy as we can be emotionally, our imprint will take care of itself.
~ Freeman Patterson, Odysseys: Meditations and Thoughts for a Life’s Journey
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year – the few days between Christmas and the start of the new year. Holiday events are finished, it’s a time of collective rest, and a natural pause emerges like an extra long space between breaths.
As I finish exhaling 2022, I have to acknowledge that I pushed myself a little too hard this year, especially in December. Fortunately, I am healthy, having had nothing more than an annoying head cold over Christmas. But already before the head cold hit (and probably setting the stage for it), my energy reserves were depleted before the holidays even started.
The problem with “pushing” is that it’s driven by unconscious influences that drag us away from our true purpose. Purpose-driven work (paid or unpaid), energizes the mind and body. Work of this nature feels meaningful, quietly joyful, and in flow. We are motivated, not “pushed” to act.
As my morning meditation students know, one of my favorite in-the-moment reflections is Eckhart Tolle’s question, “Is there joy, ease, and lightness in what I am doing?” If the answer is yes, whatever I am doing in that moment is in alignment with my purpose.
If the answer is no, if there is heaviness or unease in what I am doing, I did not start that action from a place of presence. Some other unconscious influence has pulled me there. For me, my “Pleaser” saboteur is often an unconscious influencer this time of year. Maybe you can relate?
Taking Action To Lighten Things Up…
Once I identified sources of heaviness these last few weeks, I took action to ensure that December 2023 will be the spacious, joyful month that I want it to be. On the home front, I noticed a few of my holiday traditions had begun to feel burdensome and depleting. I asked the younger generation to take over one of the tasks, and found ways to tweak others going forward. Yes, “traditions” are adjustable!
Professionally, I have decided to leave the art gallery that used to feel like fun work but no longer does. (Don’t worry! My websites damselwings.com/shop and damselwingsphotography.com will continue to operate for online purchases.) I will also shift the timing of my virtual art shows to not bump up against the holidays and redouble my efforts to keep my photography work in alignment with my broader purpose.
Finally, I have committed to myself that I will not take on more than one teaching obligation in December. This year I taught two Search Inside Yourself programs and held my art show all within the first two weeks of December. Even though teaching is a pillar of my purpose work, this was too much in a month when family time is my priority.
Transforming Depletion into Gifts and Opportunities
I am so grateful that my mindfulness practice helped me to notice the sources of what was depleting me early enough to take action before real burnout set in. I can now look ahead to 2023 with a sense of excitement and empowerment, knowing that I turned a challenging month into an opportunity for personal growth and resilience building.
Stay tuned for new offerings in the coming year where I will share more skill building tools to cultivate a contented, connected, and flourishing life.
And if you want to start 2023 off with a healthy dose of intentional action, my first 30-Day Mindfulness Meditation Challenge kicks off on January 10. Check it out here!
In the meantime, I hope your holidays and their aftermath generate opportunities for connection, reflection, and restoration of your personal resources – mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Thank you for sharing the path and spreading your light in the world!
