I’m the first to admit that I have some strong opinions, some of which have been wildly popular and some of which have been absolutely not. That could be because we’ve been indoctrinated into a modicum of agreement about what’s polite, etiquette, or even appropriate when it comes to giving unsolicited advice. Or (my suspicion is) we are simply afraid of the truth. Whichever way you look at it, the consequences of speaking so candidly can be severe; tribal ostracism, social paralysis or, even worse, nobody wants you and you die alone. Yet somehow the threat of becoming an outcast doesn’t stop me from trying to penetrate the unconsciousness most of us suffer from.

I think I can be quite seriously genetically unable to keep my mouth shut under certain circumstances; Either that or I have an emotional stigma. While most of my uncontrollable urges seem to slip under the radar of my awareness, there are a few things that swell from the bottom of my heart that I love to share, always hoping that any little detail can help comfort someone. your soul and awaken you to the true nature of your divine self!

So here I go, like Donna Reed on steroids; Here are some top healthy tips on how to spend the holidays happy and healthy!

FORGIVE ~Make a list of everyone in your family and immediate sphere of influence with whom you disagree. Then write a heartfelt letter making amends for your part in the situation, or sit quietly every day for the next two weeks for 3-5 minutes and pray for that person(s), wishing them everything they want for themselves (my definition). love). One of the fastest ways I know of to free your spirit so you can enjoy the magic of the season with a more open heart. You are also less inclined to medicate or do self-destructive things when you feel and start to heal and deal with the truth instead of covering up the pain!

GET INVOLVED~ Pick someone you know who is hurting (or hurting more than you are) and reach out to them and see what you can do to make their season more light and joyful! If you don’t know anyone, there are plenty of food and clothing drives you can contribute to or be directly involved with. Just go online. Including women’s and homeless shelters!

MOVE YOUR BODY~ Make sure you move your body every day and make it fun. Maybe sign up for a dance class, join the 5 Rhythms dance community, learn ice skating or tango. Or if you know how to do any of these, go teach a class at a college or nursing home. As my friend Gabrielle Roth says, the best way to heal the psyche is to get the body moving!

EXPRESS YOURSELF ~ Giving gifts can make anyone feel overwhelmed, resentful, or even insecure. Something easy and fun to do is to do something with your heart! I wrote and recorded a song once and gave it as a gift. There are really cheap ways to do this now! Or if gifts aren’t an issue, join a church choir or start a carol group!

PRAY FOR GUIDANCE~ Meeting our shadows head-on is no easy task, especially since the holidays can conjure up ghosts of holidays past (or future) like the dickens. So having a daily practice of self-inquiry is key to healing and lessening the tendency to turn on internal saboteurs. Although self-inquiry requires discipline, there are many ways that will work; Pick one (or a combo) that you love and throw your heart into it! For example: meditation, yoga, walking through the maze, moving meditation, shamanic dance, sitting and chanting, or just getting on your knees. You will be amazed at how sincere devotion and care you give to yourself and the divine within you have the power to ground you and give you real hope, so that true love and joy will shine in and through you. of you, a lighthouse. of the divine!