by Pragito Dove:  The Holiday Season can be any way you want it: full of stress, or full of joy.

It can be a time to dread, or  anticipate with excitement. It’s your choice, yes, it really is. I’ve experienced both of these scenarios, and, believe me, full of joy, is the way to go.

Here are  9 Keys to make your Holiday Season the best one ever!

1.MAKE A DECISION
that this year is going to be different, that you are going to ENJOY this Holiday Season. It all starts here, with the DECISION.

2.SET THE INTENTION
for how you want this time of year to look. For example, fun, relaxing, and enjoyable; camaraderie with neighbors, work colleagues, and people you meet on a casual basis in stores, restaurants, the subway. Festive celebrations at home with your near and dear ones; hot apple cider, holly and mistletoe, red candles, festive lights, singing songs; whatever turns you on and means joy to YOU.

3.FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
Keep your attention, energy and focus on all the good things that are happening, on times that are going well and you are enjoying yourself. Laugh more.  What we focus on expands. Forget about trying to “combat” stress (sounds like a battle, doesn’t it?) Keep your attention on the positives, and stress naturally drops away.

4.BE MORE LOVING
Start with yourself. You can’t give what you don’t have. Drop self-judgment, self-criticism, and giving yourself a hard time for not being perfect. Have compassion for yourself. We are all human, and it’s your imperfections that make you so adorable. You are unique.Trust that you are deeply loved, simply because you exist – you are a valuable part of our world. The more you love yourself, and I mean ALL  aspects of yourself, the more love, and compassion,you have for others.

5.DO YOUR BEST
You can’t do better than your best, right? We are all different and have different skills, knowledge, talents, personalities, tolerances. Are you a person who over-gives and forgets about yourself? If so, you create an undercurrent of resentment, tension and fear, that doesn’t serve YOU, let alone anyone else. Remember that you can’t please all of the people all of the time, just some of the people, some of the time. When you do your best, YOU know you have offered the best of yourself, and that has to be enough.

6.ENLIVEN YOUR SURROUNDINGS
with the color red. The color of the sun is energizing, and symbolic of love, courage, warmth, fire. Wear red sweaters, scarves and hats, light red candles, bring in red flowering plants(if you have access to red poinsettias, they are a joy!). Any creative idea you have for including the color red has a powerful effect in the darkest days of the year to lighten your mood and create a festive, heartening atmosphere.

7.CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR PLANET
Donate food and clothing to the poor in your area. Volunteer time at a social service         agency. Put up bird feeders and keep them filled throughout the winter to supplement the diets of wild birds. Donate funds and items to non-profit groups, such as churches and environmental organizations. Make a pledge to do some form of good works in the new year. Helping others can take your mind off your own problems and inspire feelings of gratitude for what you do have.(As long as you don’t over-give and forget about yourself!see #5)

8.PRAY 
Take time for self-reflection, contemplation, meditation. The darkness of the winter time supports going within to give thanks, receive spiritual guidance, and set intentions for the upcoming year. This is one of my favorite prayers:

In my busy-ness, I sometimes forget to stop and give thanks for all the blessings in my life. I am truly fortunate to experience abundance, health and aliveness. I am grateful for the simple joys of laughter, for the ability to love and be loved, for the opportunity to witness everyday miracles.

9. CELEBRATE
However big or small the occasion, look for excuses to be in a state of celebration. You can celebrate failures too. They open doorways for something new to come in. Your positive attitude will activate the Law of Attraction and bring you even more positivity and goodness.

Enjoy this Season. I look forward to your comments.