As the holiday season arrives, schedules fill up and life gets pretty crazy. Things to do, people to see, cakes to cook, and babies to feed. While the list of “things we have to do” piles up it becomes easy to forget what the season is really about. We often get lost of the hustle and bustle of the season and forget that the best present we can give to our loved ones is to actually be present in each moment. 

In order to stay present and become present, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of our own personal care in order to be the best mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and friends we can possibly be. 

By doing a quick gratitude meditation in the morning (followed by a simple yoga sequence, especially designed for nursing mothers,) we can ensure we will face the day like Zen angels. 

First things first: the “Gratitude” list meditation. Studies show that people feel the happiest when they are experiencing an internal sense of gratitude. 

happy moms = happy families

If we are able to cultivate a sensation of gratitude in the morning and then try to carry that with us for every moment of the day, we would never fret, worry, or freak out again. Can you imagine!? We are going to generate this sense of gratitude for the blessings in our life by creating a gratitude list. By having the gratitude list ready-made at your bedside, alter, or breakfast nook, it will serve as a morning reminder, every day, to take the time to be quiet and to reflect on the day ahead while getting filled up with yummy gratitude!

Directions: 

Think of 5-10 people, things, life-situations that you are grateful for. We are taking a look at the people and things in our lives that we experience every day and we are going to reflect on how special they are (even if they drive us crazy sometimes– we are focusing on the positives!) 

Write down the thing/person you are grateful for. 

I am grateful for my wonderful comfortable home.   

Next,  think of a way to SHARE the gratitude with your loved ones through an ACTION. Then create a positive affirmation. 

I am grateful for my wonderful comfortable home. I will take care of it with love and a gentle smile, making it a comfortable, warm, welcoming place for my family and friends to celebrate the season.

By thinking about this in the morning and by creating gratitude for your home and the opportunity to care of it, when there is a giant mess that needs to be cleaned, or grocery shopping to do, instead of viewing these things as chores, you can do them with a light hearted sense of gratitude.

Next:

Get a piece of blank white paper and some markers, crayons, colored pencils, whatever you like! Write out your top 6-7 things and decorate the list, making it a fun beautiful thing that you can use for you morning meditations for the rest of the season.

When you get up in the morning, save your self at least 3-5 minuets to sit quietly and to reflect on these things before the day starts. Just try it and see if it makes a difference! Coming next: Holiday Zen in 10 min. a day. A special yoga sequence to be practiced after the gratitude meditation!