| It's that time of year again. The Holiday Season is | | | | patience, more time with your grandmother, |
| upon us. Which means most of us, for better or | | | | etc.)3. Who would you say, "YES" to? (your |
| for worse, will be with our families. Being with | | | | partner, yourself, your nieces and nephews?)4. |
| family-though familiar-can inspire a sense of dread. | | | | What would you say NO to? Who would you say |
| As we approach Grandma's house (or Aunt | | | | NO to? (Overtime? An old grudge? Your |
| Jude's, Dad and Mom's, our Brother Ted's, etc.) | | | | ever-negative Aunt? TV?)5. Where would you |
| we roll our eyes and prepare to be treated the | | | | celebrate your holiday? (At home? At Mom's |
| same way we were treated when we were the | | | | house? In Paris? In the jungle?) What place really |
| adorable 5 year old or the rebellious 16 year old. | | | | speaks to your heart and soul?6. What would you |
| Rarely do we experience a full and welcoming | | | | make certain you'd create? (Family connection? |
| embrace of our present day selves; instead, we | | | | reconcilation? Moments of solitude to honor and |
| are constantly shadowed by the memory, stories | | | | appreciate life?)7. What would you risk? (Would |
| and expectations of who we once were, | | | | you FINALLY have that long delayed conversation |
| sometimes in stark contrast to who we've | | | | with your sister? Would you risk making your |
| become or would have liked to become.And then, | | | | friends angry by spending the holidays abroad or |
| as if stepping into a time warp, we regress. Every | | | | alone?)8. What is the most prominent feeling you'd |
| "button" and annoyance that we have had since | | | | choose to feel? (Joy? Peace? Excitement? |
| we were born is suddenly activated and pressed. | | | | Solitude? Adventure?)Great. Now imagine this |
| And pressed. And pressed. And pressed. Suddenly | | | | NEW version of your holiday. Really feel it. What |
| we feel powerless, angry, frustrated and even | | | | are the sounds? Smells? Tastes?Step 2 - Given |
| hopeless. Will this EVER change? Will "they" ever | | | | your answers to the questions in Step 1, |
| see us as we truly are? Can we possibly find a | | | | determine what actions you might need to take |
| way to take our power back during the Holiday | | | | to create this new holiday. Perhaps a long look at |
| Season?ABSOLUTELY! We can take our power | | | | your calendar whilst sipping tea would be in order? |
| back at any time. Electric Kites asserts that | | | | What are you planning to do already that might |
| holiday stress is a decision - usually made by | | | | jeopardize the good feeling of your NEW holiday? |
| default - NOT a FACT! You have the POWER to | | | | What is a BOLD action that would be guaranteed |
| create what you want this holiday season. A few | | | | to shake up your holiday status quo and pull a |
| moments of calm visualization and some decisive | | | | more alive, joyful and true-to-you holiday towards |
| actions are all it takes. Doing so is a 2 Step | | | | you?Good. Now, the only thing left for you to do |
| process: Step 1: Acknowledge when and how we | | | | is DECIDE and COMMIT to creating this new |
| give our power away, and Step 2: Decide on and | | | | Holiday. Perhaps that means canceling plans, |
| commit to a plan for taking it back! You can try it | | | | changing plans, creating plans. Maybe you'll have to |
| on now:.Step 1 - Begin by imagining your typical | | | | let go of some previously nursed opinions or |
| holiday at this time of year (Thanksgiving, | | | | beliefs?Here's to you holding on to your power, |
| Channuka, Christmas, New Year's Eve). Imagine | | | | and to your Holiday Season being filled with |
| who is usually around you. What are the smells? | | | | authentic joy and surprising ease!Amy is an |
| What music or noise do you hear? Really be | | | | International Certified Life Coach with clients in |
| there.Great. Now write down your answers to | | | | both the US and abroad and is Co-Founder of |
| the following questions: | | | | Electric Kites, Life Coaching for Companies and |
| 1. What really works for you about your typical | | | | Individuals. She has over nine years combined |
| holiday? | | | | professional experience as a life coach, sales |
| 2. What does NOT work for you about this | | | | executive, and teacher. She holds a BA from the |
| holiday? | | | | University of California and earned the CPCC |
| 3. Where or HOW do you notice you give your | | | | (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) |
| power away?Now imagine that this holiday season | | | | designation from The Coaches Training |
| is your LAST holiday season. Consider that you | | | | Institute.Amy not only has a private coaching |
| have the gift of knowing that this is your last | | | | practice, but co-hosts the Electric Kites LIVE! radio |
| Holiday Season. In the light of the new importance | | | | show on leads on-going Coaching Groups, creates |
| of this Holiday Season, consider the questions | | | | and leads life coaching events for corporations |
| below, and write down your answers:1. What | | | | and co-leads The ReCHARGE Workshop |
| would you do differently? (Really look: if this was | | | | through-out the year in Los Angeles, the SF Bay |
| your last holiday...what would you do differently?2. | | | | Area and Europe. Please contact her at or by |
| What would you say,"YES" to? (self-care, | | | | calling 323.276. |