This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
At this potent time when Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa converge, which I do not believe is mere happenstance, I speak the word for people everywhere to allow the true Spirit of this Season of Light to illuminate their minds and hearts, to soften and burn away any hatred, bigotry, misogyny, greed, violence and know-it-all-ism, to reveal greater unity, peace, openness, oneness, justice, freedom, agape love and a world where the highest and best is called forth within them and is shared. I call forth receptivity within the minds and hearts of global citizens everywhere, whether in the boardroom, family room, or boots on the ground, the willingness to be healthy in mind, body and spirit, so that we may all be of maximum service to ourselves, our families and others.
Due to the 2016 election results, this Holiday season has people more fraught with emotions than at any other time I can remember. In all of my life, I have never seen people - older, younger and middle-aged - being this activated by a President-elect. What I know is that no matter who is or isn’t in the White House, the holidays still happen, children are still excited by parties and presents, and friends and families still gather to celebrate the holidays and usher in the New Year.
Advertisement
To keep the Happy in Chanukah and Kwanzaa and the Merry in Christmas, here are:
10 Tips to Harmonious Holiday visits
1. Steer clear of talking politics with your family
Some of your relatives and friends may have voted differently than you did, which may be a shock when you learn this. Unless you know them very well, steer clear of talking about politics.
2. Breathe. Place your hand on your heart, if that helps
Breathe in through your nose, drawing air into your body from the center of Mama Earth. Hold it for a second or two at the top of your breath, allow it to swirl in, through and around you. Exhale with a haaah and imagine you are pressing your navel against your spine. Repeat often.
Advertisement
3. Keep your head where your feet are
Don't get caught up in futurizing what will be. Don’t rehearse the worst. Ground and center yourself in the present moment. Refer to Tip #2 when you forget.
4. Don't engage. Don't pick up the rope.
It takes 2 to tango. If someone attempts to draw you into an argument, don't pick up the rope, don't engage. A gracious or civil, "I don't discuss politics" is just perfect. If that's a stretch, just say, "Oh, really." Or, "isn't that interesting?"
5. Drink water
Keep yourself hydrated. Sound silly? It's not. When people feel flooded by emotions, they forget to do 2 things -- breathe and stay hydrated. Besides, if you drink a lot of water, you'll also need to use the bathroom, which allows you to leave the room and center yourself frequently.
6. Download the Million Mamas Manifesto. Please take a few moments and allow the words to seep into your heart and mind.
Advertisement
7. Look for beauty and humor
When you shift your focus from what you don't like and place your attention on noticing beauty and humor, you will find what you’re looking for. What you place your attention on, grows.
8. Sing or Hum
When you sing, it brings oxygen into your brain, which calms down your nervous system. This regulates a disregulated or flooded brain and changes your emotional state. This is great to remember when your children are flooded.
9. Do the dishes
Seriously, get yo butt out the room and into the kitchen. The sudsy water and being of service will do wonders.
10. Practice gratitude
Look around the room that you're in and the people that you're with. Find things to be grateful for, anything - perhaps it's that your visit will be ending soon.
Advertisement
Wendy Silvers is the Awakened Mother and Parenting Coach, helping mothers parent consciously, do what has their heart sing, express their soul’s purpose and leave a legacy. She speaks on Awakened Living and Evolving Motherhood, is an Agape Transformational Life Coach, a healing Pray-er, author, blogger, and founder of the Million Mamas Movement. Wendy is a wife and proud mama.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.