Re-defining Holidays

Hi, and welcome to this Headspace intention setting exercise, intended to help you approach the holidays in a way that reflects what it is you truly value. Holidays are wonderful, yet they can also come with a lot of expectations, pressure and overwhelm. Intentions allow us to create a more meaningful, balanced relationship with everything in our lives, even holidays. When setting intentions, they should be things that are in our control that are practical, and that can also help us to stay committed and consistent. Another thing is that intentions are feeling and process-focused. The outcome is open for us to explore and experience. So maybe the meaning that you gave holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas have changed. Maybe things look a bit different. Maybe things feel a bit different. It could be that your old holiday traditions are outdated, maybe values have shifted, or your family situation has changed. Whatever it is, setting an intention for the holiday can help us get clear on what's most important to us. In this practice, we'll be going through a mindful exercise of setting an intention for the upcoming holidays, whether it's for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or in place of a new year's resolution, this practice will help us to relate to ourselves, others, and environment in a purposeful way. So just taking a moment to settle in here, arriving to this present moment, with the eyes open to begin. And just finding an object in your view, and holding the awareness there, with a soft, gentle gaze. Sitting upright, shoulders relaxed, hands resting on your lap, feet connecting to the floor, and just taking some nice calming breaths, breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. On this next exhale, returning the breath back to its natural rhythm, noticing the body pressing down into the surface beneath you, and with each breath, inviting a sense of stillness and presence into the body. Maybe the mind is a bit restless, a bit on edge, and that's okay. Noting what's present with a sense of compassion and kindness, and just continuing to notice the body and the breath, following the sensation of the breath, that rising and falling. Maybe placing a hand on your stomach or chest, to get a better sense of its steady rhythm. And now, bringing to mind what's most important for you this holiday. And just noticing what arises, not trying to make any sense of it, or thinking about it too hard, just gently noticing what comes to mind, and continuing to breathe. Now, bringing to mind and body, what do you want this upcoming holiday to feel like for you? If there was just one word, what would that word be? It could be connection, calm, ease. Whatever that word is, just bringing it to mind, and inviting that feeling into the body. Really getting clear on what's most important for you, and bringing that feeling to mind. Maybe it's a smile, an image...