The Start of the Century.
It’s that time of year again. The lights are hanging. The tree is decorated. A warm cup of (vegan) hot cocoa awaits you as you watch your favorite movies under the faint light of the evening. Snow begins to trickle from the sky, giving the grass a soft blanket as the sun begins to fade into the bottom of the mountains.
Ah, Christmas.
The holidays have always been a subject that I like to avoid. Not because I don’t like them, but because growing up, they were always a time where I was reminded of my familial situation (or lack thereof). I simply just didn’t have anything to celebrate; at least, that’s how I used to look at it.
I like decorating. I love spreading love and happiness. But I don’t feel the need to do those things only around Christmas time or Thanksgiving. I am a decorator all year long, constantly changing and morphing my space into something new and fun and exciting. I spread love to those closest to me consistently and choose to be kind to random strangers always.
I like to give every day. I give what I can, whether it is money, time, a listening ear, a quote, a piece of advice; whatever it may be. I show up for myself, which allows me to show up for others. I don’t need a holiday to express my gratitude for this life.
Holiday’s have been morphed into a capitalist ideology, one that focuses on gifts and shiny toys and buying “the best” gift.
It is no longer about spreading joy & cheer, rather the ideals have transformed into that of an industrialized society in full production mode.
Holidays have simply lost their place in my world.
Not because they are bad, or anything like that, but because they simply do not identify with what I hold true to my heart.
I’m learning to be joyous for holidays, for time to spend with loved ones; the cards that come and go. I’m learning that winter is a time of great healing. That we must go through a period of lull in order to see the beauty in front of our eyes.
But holidays really don’t mean anything to me. It’s just another day in the year. Another opportunity for growth. Another blessing in disguise. And that’s really beautiful, I think. It’s amazing that every day we can open our eyes and begin a new life. We can mold our day into whatever we want it to be.
You might say, “well, I can’t just get up and go to Aruba.” BUT why can’t you? What is really holding you back?
YOU.
You can do anything you want, on any day you want, at any time you want. If you are truly living on your own time and not another entity’s, you are able to create the life of your dreams, each waking moment of your day, any day.
Fear is something that begins to cloud our minds when we think about doing “outrageous” things such as moving to Aruba on a whim. Fear of what could happen. Fear of the future. Fear of finances. Fear of anything.
Our power is given to what we think about. What we think about creates our reality. Our inner reality affects our outer reality and vice versa. It’s all a beautiful, harmonious cycle.
The problem is… it’s hard to master; especially living in a technologically advanced, consumerism driven society. Instead of giving freely, we feel like we have to hoard because we don’t know when we might “need” it. Instead of living freely, we feel like if we don’t follow society, we will be a “failure.” Instead of doing what we truly desire, or thinking about what we truly want, we think of all the things we wouldn’t want, or the life we don’t want to live.
The reality of life, though, is that the universe will give us anything we need, when we need it. We are always being looked after and taken care of.
Holding on to anything is like holding on to your breath. You will suffocate. The only way to get anything in the physical universe is by letting go of it. Let go & it will be yours forever.
-Deepak Chopra
Energy flows where energy goes.
By limiting ourselves, our beliefs and settling for an average life, we are dictating our own futures. By giving energy to our fears, we actually increase the likeliness of them happening.
We are confined in the boxes we create for ourselves.
The laws of the universe will never fail you, so long as you listen to your intuition and inner guidance. Let it go. Let it flow. Let everything around you move freely. Harmony happens when chaos ceases to interfere.
So, if you want to move to Aruba and live on a yacht, travel the world by boat, eat delicious vegan food; no one is really stopping you, except yourself, or the fear that you’ve created. Everything in this life is for you.
It seems that during the holidays we are bogged down by giving gifts that have no real meaning to our lives. If it isn’t the gifts, it’s the pressure to put your best face on for your family, or have a telling story about how great your life is going; even if it isn’t going at all.
We have become a society that is so focused on following a calendar (which isn’t even aligned with the solar system, I might add) that dictates our daily lives. We obsess about time as if it isn’t a made up construct.
Holidays are a beautiful time to celebrate the relationships we have with one another. But it shouldn’t be about what’s under the tree or what someone is giving you.Holidays should be a time of giving freely and an opportunity for deep healing. It should be a time of gratitude and compassion.
It should be a time of love.
PRESENCE > PRESENTS
During the holiday seasons we are often focused on finally having time off of work. We are driven by this consumerist society that tells us we have to work in order to afford these holidays. But in reality, who is even really making you work at that job you hate? You are. Who is making you buy the most expensive presents? Who is telling themself that they “can’t afford it?
YOU ARE.
You made those decisions and the universe followed suit. If you want to make a prosperous change, you must initiate that too.
No matter what you choose to do, whether you celebrate a traditional Christmas or opt for a friendsgiving vibe; whether you live on an island by yourself or with a million cats, don’t do it on account of anyone else.
Do it from your heart.
The same is true in life.
You can do anything you want. Any time you want. Any day you want. Why not start doing the things you want to do TODAY? Why not start living your dream life today?
IT ALL BEGINS IN YOUR MIND.
Picking a job just because it will pay well is unfulfilling to your soul. Living a life that doesn’t make you happy, so that you may please others, does nothing but diminish your well-being. Giving because you expect something in return; it will all bring you no real and true happiness. Trust me.
Take a small step and do something that lights your soul on fire today.
And do it from your heart.
We are stepping into a new decade soon. A decade that will bring change, growth and so so so much love and abundance into your life, if you let it.
Don’t take your heavy baggage with you. Release it.
Make the most of today.
Bask in the essence of the holiday spirit, dig deep within yourself and utilize this new moon (dec. 25/26th) to set your intentions for the new year.
Rest and release as the solar eclipse reigns in the sky.
Start the new year with intention.
Start the decade doing what you love.
Start this next century for you.
Do it for you. You owe that to yourself.
Love always,
Mads
♡