Holidays can be tough even in the best of times….
It’s a time when we break from our normal routine. We have expectations that everything will be great and often forget the family tensions that commonly arise. We look forward to having permission to stuff our face with our favorite foods, but forget the pain and discomfort that often follows.
When your partner is in the midst of receiving treatment for cancer, holidays can look very different all together. They may be in the hospital or too ill to really partake in any family celebrations. You may end up spending this very traditional holiday in a very nontraditional way.
Decide On Your Result
Holidays are a good time to practice results-oriented thinking.
What? On a holiday? Sounds like something I should do at work.
What I mean by results-oriented thinking is to decide in advance an outcome for the day. Often, we just wake up and “let” the day happen to us. We are not intentional for how we want to be that day.
Instead, this holiday choose to be intentional. Think about how you want to feel this day. What do you really want from your Thanksgiving? Is it to feel love? Is it to relax? Is it just to be present and not busy? Your result for the day can be something like:
I am going to be present and enjoy my family today, no matter where we are.
Today, I’m going to be conscious and thankful of the gifts in my life.
Today, I’m going to have fun.
Today, I’m going to love and accept my family for who they are.
The intention does not have to be grand, just purposeful. By setting an intention at the beginning of the day, you orient your mind ahead of time to that result. Now, your mind will be looking for ways to be present, or thankful, or to have fun.
Keep your intention at the forefront of your mind throughout the day. When you start to feel stressed or anxious, you can remind yourself that this day you just want to have a little fun. When your uncle starts doing the thing that bugs you, remind yourself that today you are going to love and accept them for who they are. When you look around the hospital room and start to feel a little sad, remember today you are going to be present and enjoy your family no mater the location.
What’s Your Intention For Today?
Don’t just read this post, actually take a moment and set your intention. Nothing cosmic, just decide what result you want for today and write it down or say it out loud.
Inspire others with your intention! Share it in the comments section below.