1. Eat Consciously

Only put half of what you would normally put on your plate. Chew slowly, and eat with awareness, awareness of the food on your tongue, in your esophagus as you swallow. Never mind what others around you are doing. Be aware of every bite. You can always go back for seconds if you really want to overeat.

2. In dealing with loved ones, deal only with the current situation

I mentioned this in my last post, not bringing the past forward. A nice forwarded e-mail I got (Dalai Lama’s wish for ’09), mentioned in dealing with family/friends, never bring up the past. Taking that one step further, in your interaction with them, try and not be influenced by whatever happened in the past. See them as fresh new beings each time (because at the most fundamental level they are). My husband suggests treating  each encounter as if it were the last.

3. Quiet time

Whether it is meditating, praying, napping, walking, etc, extract yourself from the group and keep practicing. Conscious breaths. Don’t worry, everyone will be okay without you for an hour. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.

4. Send Loving Kindness

The more we generate loving kindness for all sentient beings (especially the ones in our presence), the more we receive it, so it is a win-win situation. Also, if you maintain a nice metta practice while around family and friends during the holidays, I think it tends to keep you softer, more aware, and therefore more present.

 

Be Happy

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