Holidays Information

Happy Holidays? It's Up To You


The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is it just me? There's so much going on -- the end of autumn, the beginning of winter, and all the holidays that follow. As a child it was an exciting time of year. As an adult, it seems filled with more shopping, baking, parties, and other events than I can squeeze into the available time.

In Aikido, the martial art that I practice and teach, we have something called "randori," an exercise in which the student stands alone on the practice mat and as many as five opponents attack simultaneously. Sometimes the holidays feel like this -- which task, event, or relationship do I take on first?

The first secret of randori is to handle one attack at a time. I can't let myself become overwhelmed by the enormity of what's out there. I must stay fully present with what's right in front of me. It's hard to do, but it saves time, energy, and wear and tear!

Secret #2 is to engage the attack. Though it sounds counterintuitive, welcoming the attack puts me in charge of it. I decide what I want to handle first and move toward it.

Planning a family dinner, finding places to stay for the relatives, shopping for holiday gifts, getting the budget report done on time, AND hiring a new administrative assistant -- each task by itself might be doable, even enjoyable, but taken together they seem overwhelming. How to stay balanced and effective?

In the midst of life's multiple, simultaneous events: Know that each can be an attack or a gift -- it's up to you. Engage one task at a time. Every time you experience the pressure of "How can I possibly do it all?" -- stop and BE where you are, and give your relaxed presence to the task at hand.

Gradually you'll feel in charge of the only things you can be in charge of -- yourself and the present moment.

Happy Holidays!

© 2004 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training

You're welcome to reprint this story. If you do, please include this reference: Judy Ringer is a conflict and communication skills trainer, black belt in aikido, and sole owner of Power & Presence Training. For ideas and inspiration on conflict, communication, and creating the life you want, visit us online at http://www.JudyRinger.com/


MORE RESOURCES:

USA Today

Rock Band 3 Announced for the Holidays
Kombo.com
Think again, because it looks like Rock Band 3 will be arriving at a store near you sometime this holiday season. According to a post on PR rep, ...
Rock Band 3 Coming For The HolidaysBeatCrave.com
Rock Band 3 slated for the holidaysGeek.com
Rock Band to feature Holiday SeasonTopNews
BusinessWeek -ABH News -CNET
all 156 news articles »


CANOE

St. Patrick's Day's traditional fare really American evolution of holiday meal
NewsOK.com
It even has its way with holidays. If you need proof, look no further than corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day. Enjoying a heap of bangers and ...
On the Old Sod. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/10/2010Philadelphia Inquirer
Enjoying beer the Irish wayRVANews

all 196 news articles »


Burlington School Board adds 2 religious holidays
WCAX
Burlington students will get two new days off starting in the 2010-2011 school year for religious holidays. The School Board voted 8-1 Tuesday to give ...
One Jewish and one Muslim holiday to be added to school calendarBurlingtonFreePress.com

all 2 news articles »


Sales Tax Holidays Threatened by Budget Crisis
WXIA-TV
ATLANTA - For the past nine years many Georgians have enjoyed a three-day sales tax holiday each August to buy back-to-school supplies and clothing. ...
Let's take a holiday from the tax holiday shopping frenzyAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

all 4 news articles »


Why stop with simple recognition? Turn 'awareness' days into bona fide holidays
Los Angeles Times (blog)
"Recognizing National Public Health Week will serve as an important reminder for individuals, families and communities to focus on stopping preventable ...



Largo says no to Veterans Day holiday
Tampa Bay Newspapers
LARGO – Though the city of Largo has received some inquiries about Veterans Day, it will not be included as one of 10 employee holidays. ...

and more »


East Riding parents face fines for term-time holidays
BBC News
Parents in East Yorkshire who take their children on holiday during term time could be fined in a crackdown by the county's education chiefs. ...
£50 fines for term-time holidaysHull Daily Mail

all 2 news articles »


Financial Post

Chinese Consumer Prices Rise 2.7%
New York Times
For the combined January to February period, which factors out distortions from the Lunar New Year holidays, industrial output expanded by 20.7 percent and ...
China Data Show Moderating StimulusWall Street Journal
Daily Economic Briefing: March 10, 2010Scoop.co.nz (press release)

all 447 news articles »


Holidays OK for most businesses
Yellow Springs News
The recent holiday season was better than the one before for many downtown merchants, and other stores had sales either comparable or ...



Store discounts for families during week-long March school holidays
Channel News Asia
... Families can look forward to a week-long event where stores will be offering various discounts and promotions during the March school holidays. ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006