The Gift That Keeps on Giving

It’s that time of year when the world falls in love or so the song says -but how do you focus on love? How do you maintain your center of peace? How do you withdraw from the flurry of commercials telling you to buy this or that to make someone happy this holiday season? You can make yourself happy this holiday season by giving yourself the gift of time.

I intended that during my nephew’s stay for Thanksgiving that I would maintain my health and fitness schedule. There was a lot of chaotic activity swirling around me with picking him up at the airport, taking my nephew sightseeing, and then providing transportation to and from his hotel, needing to buy last minute food items, etc. I did not know how I was going to be able to create days which would allow me to focus on my needs as well as attend to the needs of the family; I just knew I had to in order to keep myself healthy and vibrant. Sure enough, with my powerful intention to make time for me first, everything fell into place. I delegated responsibilities (like having my daughter take my nephew sight seeing while I made time to work out and prepare dinner) and I asked for help when I needed it. When I put my needs first and took exquisite care of myself, I was able to then give to the family from a place of love instead of from a place of exhaustion and resentment.

Whether or not you are dealing with health issues, I recommend that you delegate and enlist the help of others during this holiday season. Be sure to make time for your work outs and adhere to your health and fitness schedule. If you don’t have one, don’t wait until the New Year to make your resolution, start today, right now. Attend a yoga class, take a walk, be still for 15 minutes a day and breathe deeply, dance around the living room to your favorite music, use Wii Fit – whatever will help you to get moving and be attentive to your body temple. Build it into your lifestyle and give yourself the gift that says “I love you”. Do whatever activities make your heart sing with joy and enjoy life’s little simple pleasures.

As a woman, as a polio survivor who manages the symptoms of post polio syndrome, as a recovering Type A personality (Hello, My name is Mary and I am a Type A personality…) I believed that my worth was dependent on how much I did and I believed I had to do it all. My body is quick to let me know I cannot and should not do it all. My son was delighted when I asked for his help in doing food preparation. My husband and I worked as a team in doing the dishes.. My nephew offered to cook dinner for the family one evening and I quickly jumped at the opportunity. Yes, I had to relinquish control of ‘my kitchen’ to my nephew who I had just met for the first time but what sweet rewards we shared.

So this holiday season – wrap yourself in the gift of self love and self care. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Mary McManus, post polio survivor and Boston Marathon finisher, is the author of “New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World”. She generously donates 20% of the proceeds of book sales to Spaulding Rehab’s International Rehab Center for Polio. You can contact Mary via her website at www.newworldgreetings.com