Work stress is on pause, the traffic has eased, the pace has slowed and blood pressure has dropped. Big cities have relaxed. Even the neighbourhood cats are behaving strangely now that the streets are so empty. If you’re going away on holiday, wonderful. If you’re staying in town, that’s wonderful too. So what’s next? You’re probably planning to spend time with the people you love. I hope you have a lovely, joyful time with them.
I’d just like to offer a small reminder:
Whatever you do this holiday, make time for yourself first.
No, scrolling social media isn’t time for yourself.
No, watching TV isn’t time for yourself either.
Making time for yourself means being alone with yourself, with nothing in between.
I know you’ll be seeing friends and loved ones.
I know you may have family visits.
I know you may be going away with one or more people you love. In other words, there will always be others around you.
But right now, we need time for ourselves more than ever.
This holiday, we need to renew ourselves, shed our old skin and see the world with new eyes. A holiday isn’t only for spending time with loved ones; it’s also a unique chance to be alone with ourselves.
This holiday, listen to yourself more.
This holiday, take better care of yourself.
This holiday, talk with yourself more.
This holiday, walk more, run more, exercise more — on your own.
This holiday, listen more closely to the joyful songs of the birds.
This holiday, spend more time with yourself.
In short, this holiday, enjoy your own company more.
The more you enjoy yourself, the more happiness will spread through your whole body, and you’ll look at the world around you with eyes that radiate wonderful energy. The more you enjoy yourself, the more boredom will become a thing of the past. The more you enjoy yourself, the more people will enjoy being with you.
Let this holiday be the one where you discover the miracles of solitude.
Let this holiday be the one where you discover the treasure inside you.
Let this holiday be the beginning of your magnificent transformation.
A caterpillar that looks for happiness in other caterpillars instead of staying alone in its cocoon will never become a butterfly.
This holiday, by all means see the other caterpillars — but set your inner butterfly free.
All you have to do is listen more closely to the voice of your heart…