Staying mindful and conscious during the holiday season

The transition of autumn into winter signals a time of year when we experience some of our most profound emotional feelings. It is a beautiful time of gratitude and giving; of change and transformation; of release and intention. All too often though, it can be a time of confusion and anger; of isolation and despair; of doubt and suffering. At the very least, I think we all know someone who experiences life from the latter standpoint, while everyone around them seems to be having a much more joyous time.

Many books have been written and workshops produced to help us deal with the end of the year and the Holidays. There is no end to the information available for those of us who need a lift to get through it all. But I believe that it really does not need to be that complicated. It seems to me that there must be a simpler path out of the doldrums, at any time, but in particular around the Holidays.

I have spent a great deal of time studying how we can make use of the neuroplasticity of our brains and daily practice to rearrange our subconscious thought patterns and create a “new” set of patterns. Obviously, this idea would come in very handy whenever we come to the awareness that our conditioned thinking is not serving us very well. What I have discovered is that it is not very complicated, but does require a certain amount of discipline and willingness to do the “work.” Then, practice, practice and more practice becomes the key.

Often it seems that when we could most make use of this idea, is when we are least inclined to put it into action. Clearly the key is in moving out of my reactive subconscious and into my responsive conscious thought processes. One day, in my morning meditation, the idea came to me. Suppose I had a simple daily intention that would move me to make conscious decisions all day? It would have to be something that would work in every situation and immediately bring me into my “higher” mind. I received the intention and have been making great use of it ever since.

It is this: “Today, in every circumstance and situation that I encounter, I will present the very best version of me that I have available at that moment.” It was that simple. I am not calling for the highest vision of myself. I am not expecting to be perfect. What I am doing is setting an intention to be the best me I can be all day long. It has changed everything.

We all recognize that we are at choice in every waking minute of every day. With this intention I have laid the groundwork to be consciously aware that the choices I am making are the very best I can do – at this moment. I might be mad as heck and expressing that anger may be the best I can do right now, but by setting this intention I might just soften my anger or look to dispense with it more quickly and with little real animosity. Or, better yet, as I am about to express my anger I might just ask myself if that is the best I have at this moment. Intending to be the best I can often dissipates the anger before it is even expressed.

I am finding that this method works just as well with my emotions. When I am feeling lonely, uncertain, or unworthy my intention always arises and I almost instantaneously realize that none of those thoughts is the best I have. Since those feelings are rooted in my subconscious mind, with the intention to deliver my best to the situation, I immediately move into my conscious mind and begin to figure out how to make the situation work for me.

The other piece that this intention brings is a consciousness of the now. I am no longer stuck in my Holiday memories or difficulties. Rather, I am now enjoying the moment, confident that the Universe and all around me is seeing the very best that I can deliver.