We give. And we give. And we give.

We tend to continuously give of ourselves. I find that a lot of people I know tend to be great at giving, but not so great at receiving. Granted I’m in the healing arts and the people who tend to be the best givers can also be the worst takers.

But I think that this goes for society at large.

Most of us tend to give and give and give it all away until we have nothing left to give, followed by simply throwing our hands up in surrender and tears or worse, ending up in the emergency room.

The Universe will constantly give us signs to slow down and take it easy. The longer we ignore them, the larger the build up is until finally our bodies give out and we have no option but to take it easy!

But even then, do we really allow ourselves to move out of fight or flight and into rest and digest?

Most of the activities we do to ‘relax’ aren’t truly relaxing to our bodies and systems. They are just ways to escape and have fun. Which is totally valid and worthy, but we still need downtime, pure and simple.

Enter the holiday season and all of this goes into overdrive. We want to be the best for our families, make that Christmas bonus, have the cutest house that was ever decorated, find the perfect gift, cook the perfect turkey, and just generally keep it all together.

There’s nothing wrong with being the best we can be. There’s actually a lot of right in it.

But in order to be our best selves, we have to really nurture ourselves so that we actually have the best of ourselves to give. Sometimes that means saying ‘no’ or turning others down so that you can do what is best for you.

Which is why I say f*ck Thanksgiving!

Let’s allow ourselves to receive!

Be open to support, to assistance—and to most of, all helping yourself.

Take five minutes to do some deep belly breathing. Step onto your yoga mat. Tell your sister ‘no’. Buy pre-made mashed potatoes. Whatever it is you need, just be open to receive and find some time for ease.

If we burn out and feel empty from giving so much, the holidays are incredibly overwhelming. If we take time to find grounding and a sense of belonging and gratitude, every moment becomes a gift, every breath a chance to receive.

Inhale: I receive

Exhale: I am nurtured.

In this way we will connect with others and actually find the facade-like happiness that the holidays tend to promote.

Inhale: I am enough.

Exhale: I am loved.

Let’s not be the ones walking around like chickens with our heads cut off during the holiday seasons. Let’s instead save the decapitated birds for the tables and relish in the feelings of abundance and gratitude that come with being open to receive.

And while we’re at let’s spend our (now more efficient) time getting a massage that was well-earned by simply being you.

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Ed: Bryonie Wise