I think of John the Baptist as our conscience. Our conscience is that little voice in the back of our minds that tells us what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes we need to listen carefully to our conscience.
Our consciences can help us through the holiday season. The Rev. Rachel Tabor-Hamilton, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, wrote a list of Ten Spiritual Practices Toward a Peaceful Christmas on her blog, which you can find by clicking here. Here are the ten practices with a brief explanation:
1. Acknowledge
your feelings.
This time of year can bring out buried feelings of
grief, disappointment and loss. Listen to your emotions.
2. Reach
out.
If you feel lonely, seek out the community of others
in a way that helps you feel connected.
3. Be
realistic.
Try to leave perfectionism behind. Keep the traditions
you cherish and let the others go.
4. Set
aside differences.
Try to accept people as they are and give yourself
an escape hatch when things get stressful.
5. Budget.
Be a good steward of the resources you have, and don’t
overspend. Keep the spirit of the season and don’t get caught up in material
things.
6. Plan
ahead.
Decide what’s important to do, plan for it and
resist the temptation to take on extra things.
7. Learn
to say a holy, healthy “no.”
Saying “yes” when you mean “no’ can lead to burnout,
resentment and stress. “No” can be liberating.
8. Don’t
abandon healthy habits.
Overindulgence leads to stress and then, later,
guilt. Get the right amount of sleep, exercise and food.
9. Relax.
If it’s really a holiday, shouldn’t we have some
quiet, restful time to enjoy it? Take the time you need.
10. Don’t
hesitate to seek professional help.
If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself
overwhelmed by the stress of the season, seek out the help of a qualified
counselor or therapist.
Wonderful practices...
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