So as usual I waited to do things till the last minute this Holiday season. I had bought the presents but I could never find the time to actually get to the post office and mail the damn things. I finally drug myself there today (through snow... seriously) and of course there was a huge line. When I get to the front I realized that I had forgotten some things so I had to go get them from my car and wait in the line AGAIN. When I got to the front of the line I realized I had the wrong address and the woman at the counter was obviously not having any of it. At the end of it all she says "estimated day of delivery is the 23rd. but that's estimated so it probably will take longer." So after all of that effort, the packages won't even be there on Christmas.
I left furious of course. Furious with myself, furious with the woman behind the counter for not being more understanding. blah blah blah. I left feeling mad about something that was out of my hands. I can't control how long it takes the mail to deliver packages, and neither can the lady behind the counter. Yes, it is frustrating when things don't go your way, but it's just an action that has happened. It is not something that happened TO you. Of course people's reactions are those of anger and frustration and could even ruin someone's day, but why let it? Especially at this time of year when feelings should be generally of love and giving and understanding. Do you think my family members will be mad if for some reason the package arrives on the 26th instead of the 24th? Doubtful. And if they do, sorry fam. The kids will just have more presents to open after Christmas, and how cool is that!?
I guess my whole point here is that we all get pulled into reacting outlandishly to situations and actions that we have no control over. I went to yoga class right after the postal scene from hell and thought about why I was getting so mad. I made an active effort to change my reaction (It would have been even better if I had while I was IN the situation, but ah well... c'est la vie). I started to think about the good things: how cool the gifts are that I got for my cousins. How I wish I could see their faces when they open them up. How I hope that my family members will feel my love from miles away. How thankful I am that I had the funds to get my family something special this year. There are a million reasons to be happy and not be pulled into the stress of the holidays.
Not only postal but other situations can be frustrating. If there is a huge line at Target or the Supermarket, if you are stuck in traffic for 45 minutes, or if there is a snippy family member that (sometimes like me) can be overbearing and stresses you out; take time to realize that these situations are out of your control and change your REACTION to it. In the long line at target, use that personal time to double check your to-do list or call someone that you've been meaning to talk to but never seem to have the time. If you are stuck in your car, turn up the music and blare Christmas music as loud as you can with your family. If your family member is being hard, smother them with kindness. It is nearly impossible to be mean to someone that is being overly compassionate towards you (I know that some people find a way, but let's put those people aside).
Some say that they come to yoga to get rid of stress. Well, I'm sorry to say that yoga does not eliminate the stress in your life. But it CAN help you to learn new ways to manage that stress. Yoga teaches you how to look at a situation you are in and smile at it, no matter how hard. You practice this through asana (postures). For example, ff every time your teacher says "dancers pose" you automatically get flustered because this is a challenging posture for you, take time before even making the first move into the posture to listen to your body and where it is, and go ahead and thank it for what it has done for you already. Mentally prepare yourself with positive vibes. And if you fall, smile at yourself and say "thank you for trying. Let's try again". I bet if you are patient with yourself and focused and CALM the posture will come more easily than you would have imagined. React NICELY to whatever action your body chooses to take that day. I say "body chooses" because some days your body may be able to do something if can't the next, and vice versa. Be patient.
Let us all focus this holiday season on the positive, and the generosity that we all have the ability to share to our neighbors. More importantly, be generous with yourself, and know that you are going to get stressed. Forgive yourself first, and then think of ways to avoid that reaction next time. I wish everyone a very happy and safe Holiday season. God bless.
Namaste and Happy Holidays :)
