The holiday season has arrived. It is my favourite time of year. Not only because I get to celebrate a birthday but also because I love that it encourages kindness and giving. However, this can be a stressful time for many of us. With the shopping, crowds, endless social obligations, holiday parties. etc. It is hard to stay healthy, happy and full of energy.

So how do you that in the midst of all the hustle and bustle?

Here is a list of a few things that I do during this time of year.

Create a budget and stick to it

If you are anything like me you love to give gifts to people. I love to pick out something that I know would put a smile on the receivers face. It gives me such pleasure to make people happy. In doing so, I have to remember that does not mean I should go in debt doing so. Make sure that you are using cash as much as possible so in January you don't end up with a huge credit card bill that you can't handle. You can stay happy when you are not putting yourself in major debt.

Don't over schedule

I find it can be hard to say "NO" to people at this time of year. As much as I would like to go to everything, I just can't. It becomes stressful and unhealthy if you try to do more than you can handle and it takes the fun out it. So say yes to a few things and then kindly decline anything that puts you over your time frame.

Enjoy but don't overindulge

I love sweets and this is a time where there is an abundance of them. Everyday at work there seems to be a table full of delightful treats just calling my name. All the social engagements that I attend also have an array of things to indulge in. My rule of thumb, See if you can take one and then walk away from the rest of the goodies so you are not tempted to take a handful. I am not much of a drinker but some of us can get a bit carried away during the holiday season. Moderation is key because going overboard affects your health and can suck the energy right out of you.

Be present

I have a hard time with this one. My mind is always racing with so many thoughts. From the past to the future. Staying in the now is an effort indeed. It is important all the time to try and be present. I find myself getting together with family and friends whom I have not seen in a long time. So why not be as fully in the moment as possible. Who knows when I will see them again.

Remember the reason for the season

This is by far for me the most important one. I remember that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The real spirit of Christmas is giving, loving, caring and serving others. Jesus was our gift from God the father and when I remember that it keeps me from getting wrapped up in the commercialism of it.

Those are just a few things that I do to keep myself happy, healthy and full of energy. This season gives us the opportunity to bless others with not only material things but with our time and our love.

Blessing others is for me part of  living prosperously.

I remember reading a story about a man who found a cocoon and a butterfly. He noticed that there was a small opening. He sat and watched this butterfly struggle for several hours trying to force its body through the little hole. Then he noticed that it stopped making progress. As if it had given up. So the man decided to help the butterfly.

 At some point in our lives most of us have felt insecure about something. That feeling of not being confident in yourself or your abilities. Or feeling like you are not good enough in a relationship. I know I have.

I heard this a few days ago as I walked by a park with children playing. I thought to myself. " Wow! I remember that. Blast from the past indeed. As a child I remember hearing this on the playground many times when someone was being made fun of.  It implied that you could harm me physically with acts, but you couldn't hurt me the same way by insulting me. As children we believed this. We chanted this.

I think about it now as an adult and realise how untrue this statement is. In my opinion, it is the reverse.

Words are incredibly powerful and harmful and can cut like a knife and leave scars for years to come. If someone punches you, you feel that pain maybe for a few days. Someone says something about you and your character when you are in vulnerable state? That can last a lifetime.

The words others say to us can have a deep impact on our lives and our future. However, I believe the words that are most harmful are the ones we say to ourselves. Think about it for moment. I bet some of the things you say about yourself you would never say to anyone else. Things like, "You're getting old. You don't have enough money. You are so out of shape.You should be further along in your career. You look terrible. You are not good enough. You are getting wrinkles. You look exhausted... etc 

But for some reason it is okay for you to be unkind to yourself, even though it isn't okay to be unkind to others. I am guilty of this too. I can speak incredibly harshly to myself which is definitely not speaking my truth.

I have been telling myself that I am burnt out and exhausted. How I need a break, a vacation. Now, I can see the direct correlation between my words and my attitude. My hurtful and judgemental words to myself have cut down my productivity to the point where I can’t be my usual bubbly, energetic self. It has offed my ability to inspire and encourage others, which I love to do. My words are having a direct impact on my perspective of self-worth and my ability to express joy and love without hesitation.

So what does this all mean? What's my solution?

Well, words can hurt you. But if they can hurt you, if they can have that deep of an impact, then it makes sense to assume they can also lift you up and heal you if used in a caring way.

One of my favourite verses in the Bible is found in the book of  Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." What you say to yourself or to someone else can either speak life or speak death.

There are a few things that I think would be helpful

1. Watch what you say. Start being mindful of what you are saying about yourself and start to say things that uplift you rather than put you down.

2. Give thanks. You can always find something to be thankful about in your life.

3. Speak life. Not only over yourself but over others and watch how your life and theirs change.

And start doing these things today, with me. Don't wait until tomorrow or another undetermined day in the future when you feel it is time. Start now, and don't let those judgemental and unkind thoughts take priority in your mind. 

Just another way to live prosperously.