Christmas can be a healing holiday if you intend to make it that way. Learn tips and techniques to bring healing into your upcoming family gatherings during this Christmas season.
Stress, fear, anxiety, and depression can take their toll on a person this time of year. Past holiday experiences can bring up unresolved feelings and old issues. Perhaps someone you really cared for wasn’t there or had recently passed on. Perhaps an expectation you had was not met or someone disappointed you deeply.
A broad range of previously buried or forgotten feelings, like hurt, anger, and pain can creep up during a holiday celebration when you are again faced with seeing the same people.
Those feelings are making themselves known for a reason. It is because your soul wants the healing to begin. Your ego may have other thoughts, however. The Christmas season is a time to put your ego aside and listen to your heart. Here are a few ways to bring some healing into your upcoming family gatherings during this Christmas season:
An Extra Hug
Don’t hold back this time. It is okay to hug! Reach out and give that relative or friend that you know has been going through some hard times an extra hug when you see them. Let them know that you are really glad to see them again.
An Extra Prayer
Is someone in your family or circle of friends going through an unpleasant experience? Sit quietly and think about that friend of family member and send them healing thoughts and prayers that they will have the strength to get through their problems of the day. Do not make the problems your own, but show compassion and kindness that you understand their problems.
An Extra Loving Thought
Catch yourself in mid-thought when you are making a judgement about someone, particularly if a certain scene is replaying itself again this year. Replace it with an extra loving and healing thought about what you do like about that person. Realize that they are a part of lessons you are learning and love them for it.
An Extra Apology
Apologize for the things that were said or went unsaid that may have hurt someone else this year. Let go of your ego and make the first move toward healing. By letting go, you can bring healing to another and in return receive healing yourself.
An Extra Phone Call
Take an extra 10-15 minutes to call a friend you have fallen out with or a relation who may be in a nursing home. Talk about the old times and reminisce.
An Extra Good Deed
Do the good deeds we didn’t do for each other this year. Whether it is shoveling someone’s driveway, or inviting an elderly neighbor over for dinner or any of the other “should do’s” that come along, take the time and do at least one or two of the thoughts that have crossed your mind recently.
An Extra Happy Person
Make sure you find time to be around people who make you happy, especially if your family gatherings are a bit stressful. Seek out at least one happy friend and give them a phone call or arrange to finally get to visit them.
Realize that we are all one and all part of the whole. What brings healing to another brings healing to ourselves.
Do you have any special tips or techniques for healing that you do around the holidays? I would love a comment below if you are willing to share.