Find Space throughout the Season

And more fully experience and enjoy your holidays.

This time of year promises to be a “break” for us – an opportunity to relax, connect with loved ones, recharge our batteries, or deepen our faith. However, the reality can be far from our imagined or intended version of events.

For many of us, the preparations and plans (decorating, shopping, making travel arrangements, and such) become added burdens to our lives. We must suddenly handle all of our usual tasks and responsibilities AND take care of holiday “to do’s,” as well.

The downside of this is that we may lose the feeling of specialness, or the meaning and purpose behind our celebrations.

My hope and plea is that you are able to find and enjoy, in the midst of the madness, the moments that truly matter.

Space Between the Throws

The study and practice of high level juggling has taught me volumes about managing a “full pattern” of objectives. As I teach these principles, one of the points that consistently resonates with audiences is this one:
No matter how much you are handling, there still remains some space between your throws and catches.

It is in the spaces between our actions and tasks that we can experience peace, joy, and purpose. Yet, too often, the tendency is to ignore or race past the spaces in order to get to the next thing, obligation, or task. We hope that, at some point, we will have our tasks accomplished, so that we can then experience peace. Yet that moment doesn’t come or, if it does arrive, disappears like morning mist, in the heat of the moment or winds of change.

“Space” is a gift that is difficult to wrap. But it is absolutely free of charge, and yours to both experience and give away, if you can remember a few simple guidelines.

Into Action

1. Look for the Spaces – Spaces are everywhere, if you just notice them: a pause in your conversation to fully connect with someone special, a moment to take a deep breath and experience the moment, or a purposeful minute of solitude to give yourself a break. Once you start noticing and validating the “spaces” in your life, they will expand and multiply.
2. Be Present – Your full and uncompromised presence is the greatest present you can give yourself or your loved ones. “Show up” with your full self.
3. Simplify – The concept “less is more” never really caught on with marketers and retailers. Listen to the noise of what the world tells you, and you will never have enough. However, once you realize that you already have enough, the little things will take on new and wonderful significance.
4. Pace Yourself – Slow down your experience, physically and mentally. Set your own pace, instead of responding to arbitrary demands.
5. Remember the Purpose – When tempted to run frantically in another direction, reconnect to the meaning behind your intentions. If the purpose isn’t there, then release yourself from those burdens. Where there is purpose, embrace it wholeheartedly, and hang on!

Some friendly, purposeful reminders:

• Renew your relationships with friends and family.
• Deepen your faith, and give thanks for what you have.
• Celebrate the end of your year, and look forward with excitement to 2012.
• Rest. I mean, really rest. Renew your body, mind and soul. You deserve it!

From our family to yours, wishing you joyful celebrations, with room to spare!

Dan