Comments on: 3 Easy Ideas guaranteed to help avoid December melt-down

By: Karmic Ally

Karmic Ally — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 04:26:42 +0000

Breath work is one of my favorite ways to manage stress, Joyce, and it works fast. I realized the true value of social support back in 2003 when I was working for KPMG in Jamaica and found myself facing the prospect of a lonely Christmas Day. The fact that it was my nephew’s 2nd birthday the next day didn’t make it better. I was only 6 months in the country and had not yet made friends who would invite me over.

On Christmas Eve I got a call from a colleague’s boyfriend inviting me to a Christmas lunch with his family. My colleague was travelling and they had wanted to do something nice for me and give me an experience to remember. Then my HR Manager called and invited me for an early drink!

The day went by well and I knew I was being honored because Christmas in Jamaica is a family event. What brought tears to my eyes was learning later that my fellow Managers at work had been concerned about how I would get through the festive season and they had planned it for me without my knowing it!

I always try to pass the kindness forward.

By: Joyce Hansen

Joyce Hansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 21:10:42 +0000

There’s something about hot chocolate that I always find soothing. Or chocolate, in general, will do. I agree with you about the breathing exercises. They are key to getting more oxygen to the brain and circulating throughout your body for a quick release of stress and tension. Also, by engaging in activities, especially those where you are helping others, is a great mind shift away from focusing on your own problems and feeling of sadness. This should be handed out as a holiday prescription every year.

By: Karmic Ally

Karmic Ally — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 11:08:01 +0000

In reply to Sue Kearney.

I’m with you on this, Sue. There’s an Arabic saying – I used to cry I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.

Being grateful for all that is good in our life and reaching out to help those who need a supportive shoulder is what being a good human being is all about.

By: Sue Kearney

Sue Kearney — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 21:36:08 +0000

In the Social Support section, you’re talking a lot about one of my go-to ways to settle down when things get stressful. And that’s being generous. Taking time to do something for someone else. Paying it forward in social media.

Game changer, I promise. Try it.

Generosity, combined with a commitment to gratitude, combats to soothe and heal thoughts about beliefs you might be carrying around regarding deprivation and entitlement. I have proved to myself time and again that deprivation and gratitude can’t co-exist, and neither can entitlement and generosity.

Blessed be.
Solstice blessings.