THIS CHRISTMAS...

Create a Holiday Intention

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

8:48 AM

Create a Holiday Intention by Betty Mahalik

To listen to the media you would think there was one thing and one thing only that the holidays are about: shopping! Black Friday, Cyber-Monday, Small-Business Saturday, advertising circulars and everything on sale!! Sure gift-giving and shopping play a big part in Christmas, Hanukah and any other December holiday people celebrate. But it’s not the ONLY thing, and surely not the most important thing. 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the mania, or to do just the opposite, crawl under the covers with a “bah-humbug!” and try to avoid it all. But neither really deals with the issue of letting someone or something else decide what the holidays mean to you. 

This week, I invite you to join me in setting your holiday intention. Just for clarification, an intention is not a goal. It’s more the context in which the goals happen. It’s a reminder of the mind, spirit or attitude we want to focus on during a given period, be it a day, week, month or just the next hour. We all know that the holidays will come and go. Shopping, cooking, gift-wrapping and entertaining will be done. We will at times feel rushed, lose our patience, want to run away to an island at some point during the December madness. 

BUT, and it is a big BUT, we get to choose the spirit in which those things happen. And that is what I mean by setting an intention. Following are some examples of intentions that may help you enjoy rather than suffer through the next few weeks. Remember the “goal” of setting an intention is awareness not perfection. So here you go: 

Quiet—Does this intention resonate for you? Then set aside some time regularly to absorb quiet that you then bring with you into the chaos and noisiness of the holidays.

Connection—Setting this intention might mean re-connecting with someone you’ve lost touch with, or finding a way to deepen the connection (without huge emotional attachment) to those you’re in contact with regularly. It could even mean actually looking into the eyes of that harried store clerk or the Salvation Army bell-ringer and saying a sincere “thank you.”

Spirit—Even if you aren’t particularly religious, the holidays can put you in touch with your own spiritual nature if that is your intent.

Generosity—Setting this intention may look like foregoing those extra stocking-stuffers for family and sharing with those who are less fortunate. No shortage of opportunities for generosity—even those small “random acts of kindness” are beautiful examples of generosity. I believe when we’re generous it not only expands our hearts but brings like acts of kindness back to us.

Peace—Like quiet above, perhaps it will be your intention to bring a spirit of peace and calm to your holiday activities and interactions.

Patience—Creating an intention to practice patience could transform how you respond to the many irritations and delays (standing in line at a store, waiting in traffic, listening to Uncle Fred tell the same jokes he’s told forever). There is something beautiful about patience and restraint.

Presence—Finding a way to be fully present could actually be a present—as in a gift—to those you love and touch this season. Will this be your holiday intention?

Simplicity—Setting this as an intention may have you re-thinking your whole approach to holiday decorating, gift-giving and the entire season in general. Hmmm…. 

Stop for a moment and think about how you’d like to feel around Jan. 2. Now back up and ask yourself which of the intentions above (or another of your choosing) will be the “special sauce” to help you arrive at the new year feeling that way. Remember it’s not about perfection, it’s about awareness. Once you’ve clearly set your holiday intention, set up little moments throughout your day to remind you to focus on it in a gentle way. 

Whatever you finally decide, and I hope you do DECIDE, keep returning gently and consistently to that intent. The truth is that unless YOU decide for yourself, the runaway momentum of this season (and the Madison Avenue marketing wizards) may take you for a ride you’d rather not take. 

Quiet, connection, spirit, generosity, peace, patience, presence, simplicity or something else? There is no right intention, just what is right for you. So what will it be? Take a few minutes to decide with your heart not your head, then watch as your holidays unfold and transform into more of what you intend them to be. 

As always, enjoy the journey.

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Moving My Life To Joy!!

Since I'm a lover of so many crafts and beautiful decorative...
And I've discovered I especially love them when they are made by someone other than myself...
Since I'm a lover of all things old and rich with history...
And I so love the idea of not letting such beautiful old things being thrown out or destroyed...
Since I love the idea of re-purposing and reusing things ...
Because I hate the idea of throwing perfectly good things away...
Since I've recently discovered my love of beautifully well made clothing...
And my head turns every time I see a pretty bauble or striking piece of jewelry...
Since I've also discovered that I actually like the now popular mid-century/vintage look...
Which is something I never thought I would because I grew up in that crazy world...
Since I have accumulated more stuff than any one family could ever use in a lifetime...
And there are so many others have so little they can barely afford to feed their family...
Let alone try to dress themselves and their children and decorate their homes comfortably...

I had a thought...which in my case leads to multiple thoughts and possibilities.
I must find a way to recycle and/or re-purpose these things.
I know so many of us are feeling the same way.

So I looked into wonderful world of thrift stores and consignment shops.
I knew they're around, and I thought this is a perfect time for these businesses to thrive.
Well, as it turns out, as trends go...It's a bit late, shall we say, to be cutting edge with this idea.
It turns out, these little shops are popping up all over...in brick and mortar and on the internet in places like Etsy.com. And it seems as though the trend is growing in leaps and bounds. to the point that some are even considered "High -End". Well, how about that!!

So my knew project is to research the overhead in a brick and mortar shop..because the thought of owning a little place where the opposite of wastefulness could happen, a place where I could interact with people who really love the idea of saving and reusing these wonderful old things, or just helping families save money just makes me dizzy with excitement. Oh, and a huge bonus to all of it...whatever doesn't actually sell eventually is donated to charity...something that is also so dear to my heart. I think I might just faint with the bliss of it all.

If that isn't a passion, then I don't know what is.

Now...finding a way to make it work.
A little more research.
I must write a business plan.
I need a timeline.
And I will make it work.
There is no taking no for an answer.

Oh my bloggy friends, wish me well and pray for me.
I've been on this journey so long...
I think I've found my Joy.

Finding My Joy

I am just the kind of person that can't be satisfied to sticking to one hobby. It has become a source of discontent with me. I am a lover of so many things, but I can't seem to stay in love long enough for it to become a passion.



I've tried so many different ways of finding my passion..."My Creative Connection" if you will. Bloggyland was heaven when I first discovered it. But I soon became disheartened because I felt everyone else's blogs were so much better...more beautiful in their appearance. All you lovely bloggers out there seem to have it so much more together than me.



I used to love to redecorate and even remodel my home. Over time, my need for measuring up to the standards I had set, for what the end result should be, overwhelmed our shrinking budget. The economy is killer and my arthritis has robbed me of the ability to do all the DYI I used to do. Hiring contractors on our budget is nearly impossibly. Meanwhile, there are multiple exterior maintenance projects that have been deferred over the last few years.



I used to love sewing and crafty things like cardmaking and scrapbooking. I loved painting wood pieces and old furniture and I love painting just a plain empty room. The trasformation with color was just so rewarding. I haven't painted anything in over a year.



I loved to garden. I used to say that working outside in my garden made me feel at peace with God and nature. Last spring I could hardly plant my potted plants without being exhausted. The garden beds were torture...the arthritis. I decided I couldn't garden anymore. I don't know what I'll do this year. The beds will need tending to and I can't do it.



I used to be so much happier when I was busy with my never-ending projects...funny I thought I was crazy back then. Now I feel like I can't do much of anything...and I'm so very unhappy.



How do I find that zest for life that has now eluded me? I was searching for something I could be passionate about...now I would be happy to just find joy in doing something and the strength to see it to completion.



It's funny how life plays dirty little tricks on you. I guess what you think you want is right in front of you all the while. Pay attention to the joy when it's there.


I guess I should be paying more attention to any joyful moments that come my way. I believe they might be the key to my happiness...if a passion blooms from any of that I will consider myself doubly blessed!