December 19th, 2011
Dear Friends,
The holidays can be a time of celebration and family, but it also can be a challenging time emotionally and spiritually. At this time of spiritual celebration, it is easy to get caught up in the hurriedness of deadlines and obligations. Do you feel like Christmas Day is a wall that you are running toward, full blast, with every possibility of crashing? Are you worried about not getting done? Running out of time? What if your house isn't perfectly cleaned? What if you don't get all of the decorations up? What if the Christmas cards aren't sent out in time?
What if, indeed? Is there anything in that list - or similar needs - that constitutes a true crisis? Will your family or friends refuse to come to your home because you have regular towels hanging in the bathroom instead of the Santa towels? Will the decoration police come to your house because you have one less strand along the roof of your home than last year? Will your friends write "return to sender" on the envelope of your Christmas card because it arrived on December 26th? Of course not! So, take a step back, make a "to do" list, and then PRIORITIZE. What you can't get to without stressing out gets crossed off your list this year - a present to yourself! Less stress!
It also seems when everyone else around you is happy and excited, your own pain and sadness increases. When you have experienced a loss - a parent, partner, child, family member, or friend - the holidays magnify the absence of that person, oftentimes creating a spiral downward that lasts long after the final year's end celebration. "Enjoying the holidays" becomes "getting through the holidays," and this is totally understandable. No matter how spiritual you are, grief knocks at your door and lives in your house during those times when the focus and emphasis is on family and loved ones.
So, what can you do? First, give yourself permission to be sad or grieving. Take the expectation off self to be jolly and merry just because everyone else is. You don't have to be a scrooge, but you don't have to fake it, either. Let loved ones around you know that you are having a hard time so that they can support you. Diversion can be a helpful coping mechanism during this time of year. Reach out to others who have experienced loss, not to commiserate, but to connect through understanding - big difference. Acknowledge your loved ones, but do not let the loss be the centerpiece of your attention. Our loved ones in Spirit do not want to be heralded for their death, they want to be remembered and celebrated for their life. Be willing to be happy without guilt; they do not want the pain of their loss to be the focus, this only compounds the loss. Letting go of the pain does not mean you have let go of the loved one.
The economy has also presented challenges for many this year. If money is tight, don’t feel bad! Remember that the greatest gift you can give your loved ones is the gift of time, of sharing. Make your own special “gift certificate” for an evening together, or a day spent watching movies on the sofa with a big bag of popcorn! The most precious memories of the holidays are made with time, not wrapping paper and ribbon!
With Christmas Love and Light,
Nan
Shop Without Needing A Good Parking Space!
The Holiday season is in full swing and it is only natural that your plate is overloaded - time, finances, family, social obligations. And even though it is a joyful time, the energy of the holiday season is "stress," especially coming on the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday. To make things a little bit less stressful for you and to help you to save some money, I have a special offer for you! Until midnight December 25th purchase a downloadable session gift certificate, or schedule a session directly and get a second session gift certificate or counseling session at 50% off*.
Or, shop in my online gift shop and purchase a single gift certificate or any other gift idea for 20% off* plus free shipping and handling. Military personnel, active or reserve, and their families always receive a 10% discount in addition to any discount. Call for details!
Start shopping now
*For clients established before August 1, 2009 intending to obtain a session gift certificate or
gift certificate combo, please call my office toll free at (877) 217-7923 or email me at contact@nanobrien.com for more information.
Share The Spirit With Me!
Though with my move to New York I will not be presenting any public events in the Vermont-Upstate New York-Montreal area, when the Performing Arts Society of St. Albans came to me and asked me to hold another benefit performance in January 2012, I couldn’t say no! Therefore, I am pleased to announce that on Sunday, January 15, 2012, I will be at the BFA Performing Arts Center in St. Albans for my 2-hour benefit event “Share The Spirit,” beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets from now until midnight Christmas are discounted at only $20.00. Advance tickets (December 26th – January 14th) are $30.00; tickets at the door (if available) are $40.00. Secure your early bird tickets now by visiting the FlynnTix box office website , or call 802 86-FLYNN (802-863-5966)
Please support a worthy cause providing the arts to the local community - the St. Albans Performing Arts Society - and Share The Spirit with me!
Private Group Sessions
While in Vermont for the Holidays, I have one date available for a Private Group Session in the Vermont/Plattsburgh area on Friday January 13, 2012. If you would like to reserve this date, or would like more information about the Private Group Sessions that take place in your home or office, please click here , or call my office toll free at 877-217-7923.
If you live in the Greater NYC Metropolitan Area (all boroughs of NYC, Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey) I will be accepting private group session booking requests as of January 21, 2012.
The Ultimate Girls’ Getaway
If you haven’t made your reservation for The Ultimate Girls’ Getaway weekend hosted by famed entrepreneur Nadja Piatka, please do so today! The weekend is just for ladies – sorry guys! – at the beautiful Fairmount Le Chateau Montebello in Montebello, Quebec, May 4 – May 6, 2012. The weekend is a relaxing time to hang out with girlfriends, meet new friends, learn, and laugh! A portion of the proceeds goes to supporting women in war-torn countries become independent. I’m also excited that Nadja and I will be launching her memoirs, “From Under The Table To The Top Of The World: The Incredible Life Story of Nadja Piatka” at the Ultimate Girls’ Getaway. It’s been such a pleasure and honor to write Nadja’s story! For more information about this special girls’ weekend, please click here . This event sells out every year, so make your reservation today! I hope to see you there!
Let's Stay Connected!
I love Facebook and I want to hear from you! If you haven’t sent me a friend request on my Personal Facebook Page or “liked” my Official Facebook Page, please do so now. While I do not answer personal questions on my Facebook pages, I do enjoy reading updates on how YOU are doing! And, every Monday through Friday on my Official Page, I post a spiritual thought for the day entitled, “DayStarter” – these are meant to be shared, so please feel free to pass them along. We’re all in this together!
Merry Christmas! And wishing you a blessed 2012! Let’s stay in touch – I can’t wait to share what’s coming next!
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Copyright 2005-2011 Nan O'Brien, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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