Don’t Go Into the Holidays Without This Practice!
If you're based in the US, I hope you enjoyed a lovely week of Thanksgiving with your dear ones. My parents are visiting, so I definitely did!
As the holidays continue full steam ahead, I've been thinking about a distinction that came up in a conversation with my mentor, Robert Holden. We were specifically discussing business, and the longer I sat with the concept, the more I saw how it applies to everything.
There is a difference between Essence and form.
Your Essence is more than your body. It's more than your mind and heart too.
I have a body, but I am not my body.
I have a mind, but I am not my mind.
I have feelings, but I am not my feelings.
If you close your eyes and think of something that provokes loving (your children or pets sleeping), you can feel your Essence.
If you look at a photo of yourself from when you were around two or three years old you can see your Essence.
This is who you really are. This is the you that can never be taken away.
We all have that same Essence, and as you connect more deeply to yours, it's easier to see it in others.
This holiday season, instead of running the old, familiar “form” narratives:
“Aunt Patty” is too negative and complains about everything.
“Uncle Bill” drinks too much and forces his political opinions on everyone.
“Mom” criticizes everything I do.
“Dad” just wants to watch television.
You can practice seeing your dear ones through the eyes of Loving. This invites us to look past the personality to their Innocence.
Before attending a holiday function, set your intention for the experience you want to have and then use your imagination to help. You could:
Picture your most triggering relative as a young child. What did they care about then? Can you see their innocence and joy?
Recall a time when this relative showed up for you and offered an act of loving—big or small.
Recall a time when this relative showed up for another family member you care about.
Imagine what others might say about this relative at their funeral.
Ask Love to show you what it sees in this person.
If you want to take it up a notch, you could invite each family member to bring a photo of themselves from when they were three years old and have them wear it the entire time!
That would inspire some new conversations and likely a shift in the dynamics. And, aren't miracles created from a shift in perspective?
Each year, this season gives us an opportunity to expand our loving—to ourselves and others. The above is one way to open your heart and shine it's light more fully on you and yours.
Test it out and see how it goes.
Wishing you a deeper experience of your True Essence,
Amber
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