Help for the holidays 2020—a selection
Help for the holidays 2020—a selection
Source: Five selections below
Contributor: Selena Garcia
“No matter how hard we may try (more eggnog, anyone?), a foundational truth is that we cannot force our feelings.” – Rebecca Schrag Hershberg
Is it weird this is categorized under "Suffering?” Personally it’s taken years to get to the point of loving the holidays, but regardless of how you usually feel during the holiday’s, this holiday season is far from usual.
Here are five selected favorites to carry you through:
1) Read: Greater Good Magazine: How to Accept That Holiday Gatherings Are Canceled
“The impact of a lifetime of exposure to holiday messaging—religious, familial, commercial, and everything in between—doesn’t just disappear from one December to the next. Isn’t this the time of year when we’re supposed to count our blessings, and appreciate all we do have, no matter what we don’t? If we ourselves have been lucky enough to escape the most direct effects of the virus, the flailing economy, or the increase in violent crime and mental health problems, then aren’t we extra horrible for not reflecting on all that’s merry and bright?”
“Put simply: No.”
“When winter's shadowy fingers first pursue you down the street, and your boots no longer lie about the cold around your feet… when winter comes howling in” - Sam Fender
2) Listen (4:14): Winter Song by Sam Fender
“When the wind is singing strangely
Blowing music through your head
And your rain-splattered windows
Make you decide to stay in bed
Do you spare a thought for the homeless tramp
Who wishes she was dead
Or pull up your bedclothes higher
Dream of summertime instead?”
“When winter comes howling in”
“Warning: Feelings may arise.” – We’re Not Really Strangers
3) Play: “We're Not Really Strangers is a purpose driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections.”
“Three carefully crafted levels of questions and wildcards that allow you to deepen your existing relationships and create new ones.”
“Naming whatever’s going on inside of you that’s most calling for your attention.” – Tara Brach
4) Watch (15:32): Bringing R.A.I.N. to Difficult Waves with Tara Brach.
Who doesn’t experience challenging emotions during the holidays? “This short guided practice invites attention to challenging emotions.” Tara Brach has all the spiritual teacher, Buddhist vibes, but you can’t deny her work works.
**Skip to 1:50 to jump right in.
“i closed my eyes to look inward and found a universe waiting to be explored” - Yung Pueblo
5) READ: Yung Pueblo: Poet, meditator, and speaker Yung Pueblo, released a book this year called “inward” which is a “collection of poetry and prose that explores the movement from self-love to unconditional love, the power of letting go, and the wisdom that comes when we truly try to know ourselves. It serves as a reminder to the reader that healing, transformation, and freedom are possible.”
May his writings offer you hope and healing. Something not in his book, but found on his Instagram: “lessons from 2020 to bring into 2021”
“let your goals lead you
reconnect with gratitude
speak up and live your values
actually listen to your intuition
you are stronger than you think
do not take small joys for granted
give your energy to the right people
inner peace helps with the unexpected
healing your past improves your present”
Wishing you a healthy, bright, safe and supported holiday.
More FROM Suffering
