Season Of Gratitude
This holiday season holds a deeper meaning. I’ve found myself reflecting on the state of the world and thinking about the countless families experiencing grief. It isn’t missed that our family will be with loved ones, have nourishing food, warm homes, deep belly laughs, and giggles that make my heart burst with joy. My heart is overflowing with gratitude.
Holiday Reflections
As the holiday season approaches, I feel it’s important to acknowledge and share love with anyone in our sphere of influence who may be suffering. Many people around the world are suffering, missing their loved ones, and that can make this time of year especially challenging. It was an incredibly tough time for me for decades, and I dreaded the holiday season. I remember sitting alone in restaurants, watching other families laugh and create memories, and wondering how they seemed so lucky. Today, I can reflect back on those moments and realize the gift they’ve given me now to be fully present with my beautiful family. Memories that guide me today in ways that I could have never imagined.
This holiday season, I invite you to share your blessings, acknowledge them, honor them, and realize how truly blessed you are. Take time to reflect on the blessings and abundance in your life. Even in the shadows and challenges of life, there are silver linings and lessons.
“This holiday season, empower yourself to shape the narrative of your holidays. Set boundaries, practice gratitude, and revel in the magic of mindful living.”
– Bonnie Hazen
A Holiday Guide
The holiday season can stir up both warmth and overwhelm. For anyone who needs extra support this time of year, I wanted to share some tools for self-regulation and empowered presence during the holidays.
I hope these tools serve to support and guide you. And most of all, I wish you a season of peace, love, blessings, and gratitude.
- Begin with Vision: What Do You Want This Season to Feel Like?
Before the invitations, planned meals, gifts, and expectations pull you in, take a moment to intentionally envision your ideal holiday season.
How do you want to feel emotionally, energetically, spiritually?
What themes matter to you most right now: rest, joy, simplicity, connection, gratitude, solitude?
What would a deeply aligned holiday look like for you this year?
Give yourself full permission to redefine what “celebration” means. You get to design this season of your life.
Try This: Journal a few words or cut out images that capture your ideal holiday energy. Let this be your North Star. - Mindful Moments: Return to Presence, Often
Create micro-moments of pause throughout your days. Even one conscious breath can bring you back to yourself.
This is how you stay connected to your authenticity, intuition, energy, and clarity amidst the swirl.
Practice: Take 3-5 conscious breaths before entering a gathering, replying to a message, or making a decision. - Set Soulful Intentions, Not Rigid Expectations
Once your vision is clear, anchor it with written and spoken intentions for yourself and your family. Intentions can guide your energy and experience in the most beautiful ways.
Here are a few personal examples.
I am grounded in peace and gratitude in all environments.
I choose joy and connection over perfection.
I choose simple, meaningful, and heartfelt connections in all holiday environments. - Honor Your Boundaries as Sacred: Clearly communicate your boundaries to others. It’s important to educate your environment. Boundaries are great, but you must share your intentions with your loved ones so they can be aware of your wishes and intentions. Know when to say no, and prioritize activities that align with your values and energy levels. This ensures you maintain a healthy balance. As we approach the holidays, my default response is ‘no’ unless I am 100% sure and confident that we can commit to the request.
Self-Inquiry: What boundary will protect your peace this season? - Mindful Eating and Drinking: Enjoy holiday treats mindfully. Be aware of your body’s signals and savor each bite. Moderation can help you maintain a healthy relationship with food during this indulgent time. Let holiday nourishment be just that — nourishing. Savor what you choose, and bring your body into the experience.
Try This: Enjoy your meals or treats slowly, with full attention. Limit your intake of sugar, alcohol, and high-fat foods. Challenge yourself to create a healthy, fresh family meal (without canned and processed items) and share your recipe. - Practice Gratitude: Cultivate gratitude by reflecting on the positive aspects of your life. Gratitude can shift your focus from stressors to the things that bring you joy, fostering a more positive mindset.
Practice: Name five things each day that bring you gratitude and joy. - Mind-Body Practices: Incorporate mind-body practices like yoga, pilates, walks in nature, meditation, or deep breathing exercises into your routine. These practices promote relaxation and emotional regulation. This holiday season, my spiritual practice and nature walks will serve as my anchor for emotional regulation.
Try this: Stand more than you sit. Stretch and breathe. Walk outside (especially after meals). These can be energetic resets and your nervous system’s best friend. - Create Meaningful Traditions: Establish traditions that hold personal significance and meaning. Just because a gathering has always been a certain way doesn’t mean it can’t evolve. Our family is creative, and we spend time together during the holidays creating thoughtful gifts for our loved ones. Meaningful traditions can contribute to a sense of purpose during the holidays. Find an outlet to create your own meaningful tradition.
Consider this: Make handmade gifts, light candles for your ancestors, create new family recipes, walk in nature on the solstice. Find what feels sacred to you and your family. - Reflect and Adjust: Check in often. Is this still working? What needs to shift? You’re allowed to adjust. Remember, you get to define the seasons of your life. Flexibility is a strength, not a failure. Be open to adapting your approach to better suit your evolving needs.
Self-Reflection: What am I learning about myself this season? - Lean into Your Circle of Support: Cultivate a support system you can lean on during the holiday season. Identify the people, spaces, and/or communities where you can be your authentic self. Know who your trusted friends and family are so that you feel supported.
I have a trusted group of sisters and friends whom I reach out to for support if/when needed during the holidays. Their love and support lift me every time. Our sisterhood and love for each other have been my greatest blessings.
A network of people who genuinely care about your well-being can provide valuable perspectives and emotional nourishment, helping you maintain a positive and resilient mindset throughout the holiday season.
Self-Inquiry: What people, spaces, and/or communities support and appreciate you? Who can you be your most authentic self with? What environments are challenging for you to be in and why?
The Spirit Of Gratitude
As the holiday season approaches, as we reflect on our blessings, may the echoes of laughter and the warmth of connection resonate, reminding us that every moment holds the potential for joy.
In the tapestry of life, each thread represents a choice: to be present, to design our season of life, and to share gratitude with the ones we love most. As we navigate the holiday season, may these choices shape a narrative of fulfillment, purpose, and joyful connection.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with nourishment, mindful living, and gratitude. May the essence of love linger in your heart, guiding you through the season ahead.
From my family to yours, we wish you a season of peace, love, and blessings.
With cosmic love,
Bonnie
Art by: Claudio Schwarz