A Mindset for the Holidays

Everywhere we look these days we see evidence that mindset is very important. Athletes have known for many years the value of staying in the flow – a mental state. People trying to kick a habit like smoking know that taking your attention off cigarettes, shifting your mindset, is huge. Oprah has featured many writers over the years who have stressed the value of mindset. Her project with Eckhart Tolle stresses expanding one’s consciousness, which is moving from old beliefs and patterns of thinking to a broader mindset that encompasses much more. Mindset is mainstream.

Perhaps it’s time for a new mindset for the holidays. Some of the major holidays of the year celebrated by different religions have already passed. Thanksgiving is over as well. But no matter where we go we are surrounded by the trappings of Christmas, with Kwanza and Chanukah coming up for those who celebrate these days.  Gifts, decorations, food, and more can frazzle us while they dazzle us. It could be time to start some new traditions.

The real trick is knowing that our mindset is just a set of thoughts and beliefs inside of us, and we can change these if we choose. What is it we really want to accomplish in this holiday season? What is the true gift in our gift-giving? It seems that one reason we give gifts is to show appreciation to another person. When gifts are expected, and few thanks given, we wonder if appreciation is really the issue.  What message do you want your gifts to say this holiday season?

If you want to show appreciation and love to others, there are many types of gifts. Do you want to share more of yourself and less of Macy’s this year? What would happen if you chose a special object, possession, picture, or memory and wrote or shared its meaning as your gift to each loved one? While you might expect some to be disappointed, the gifts of your personal expression, hopes and insight would long be remembered.

What if you gave each person an empty jar and filled it with notes listing the talents, strengths or characteristics you most love or appreciate about that person? That gift is one that could keep on giving for a lifetime. And such a jar certainly would invite more notes over the year ahead. The gifts we give that are not expensive often create a wealth beyond compare in the hearts of those who receive them.

Now back to that holiday mindset.  We get to choose our thoughts, so will you see those twinkling lights on your neighbor’s house as something beautiful in the dark of the night, or as a reminder of what you haven’t gotten done yet? Will you see yourself as wise and discriminating if you choose a heart-filled gift from within to personally share with those you love, or as inadequate and disappointing if you don’t buy everything on your child’s wish list at Target?

At Back to Brilliance we focus attention on living from our Brilliance, that part of our mind that is connected to all life and the universe itself. We know that anyone can learn to live from this state of awareness and thereby create healthy, happy, fulfilling lives for themselves. The Mindset of Brilliance is like that Energizer Bunny who just keeps going, and going, and giving to enrich our lives.

We know that our mindset is ours to create and that the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others is to live full out, and to express and share our true selves with those we love. Following our heart’s direction is primary, while the trappings of the holiday season are secondary. Give like you’ve never given before in this season of holidays. Risk giving a part of your true self to those you love this year.