“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.1 It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” –M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth

Mr. Peck is a wise man, and we are in full agreement with his point here. However, consider this one small tweak: Life can be difficult.

At Pathwaves, we teach our clients to set the intention to enjoy life right from the start. Swapping out “can be” for  “is” immediately provides an option that life does not “have to” be difficult.

This simple shift is especially important to practice during the holidays.

People often ask, “Are you ready for the holidays?” As though this time of year is expected to be particularly stressful. There’s family to consider, and finances. And how best to navigate certain relationships or situations. Anticipating drama or disasters, and playing different scenarios over and over in your head.

In these cases, the holidays cause more anxiety, stress and hardship that enjoyment and pleasure. Those of us with co-dependent habits or a tendency to “people please” can feel the negative effects more keenly, as the holidays often trigger deeper patterns that cause pain.

The holidays are also an excellent learning experience, teaching lessons that can be carried over into daily life throughout the year. Triggering events during the holidays are an invitation to shift away from trying to feel good enough by looking for validation from others, and to start moving towards being the best version of yourself based on your own values and criteria.

In other words, other people and events don’t have to make you feel or react a certain away, as long as you are grounded in your vision of being your best self.

5 Simple Tips For The Holidays

The holidays are more difficult when you approach them from a perspective of “I have to” versus “I get to”. This mindset shift is simple, but not always easy to implement.

Here are 5 tips to help you enjoy your holidays more:

1. Celebrate how lucky you are to “get to” participate in the holiday.

2. Meditate on the meaning of the holiday – the meaning that was originally intended, what that meaning is to you, and what you would like the meaning to be for this year.

3. Take 10-20 minutes to plan how you want to enjoy the holiday.

4. Meditate specifically on how you want to show up to be the best version of yourself for this holiday.

5. Carry out yours plans by taking action, and celebrate those actions with yourself and, if appropriate and helpful, with others.

NeuroEmpowerment™ and Shifting Perspectives

One of the greatest keys to achieving optimal living is the ability to choose a perspective on purpose, rather than reacting and feeling at the victim of the world around you.

NeuroEmpowerment™ is a treatment which corrects mental, emotional, and spiritual issues at the same time it corrects physical issues directly associated with psychological function, thus alleviating the root of the problem, rather than treating the symptoms. This is the key for long-term optimal living and quality of life.

If you’d like to learn how you can support your personal growth through our methodology, we are here to help. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation today.

To help those who cannot afford the services of Pathwaves, consider donating to the Pathwaves Foundation. Please call (305) 858-6616 for more information.