Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

In this joyous, fun, celebratory season, have you been thinking about yourself?

Goodness, NO, that would be selfish!

Are the thoughts that you think about yourself even thoughts worth having? Are you treating yourself at least as well as you would a stranger?

How do you talk about yourself? How do you talk to yourself?

Are YOU on your gift list?

The words we speak out loud and in our heads carry a lot of weight. Transforming that weight into something uplifting begins with awareness. With the latest Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi is out — and it is fantastic! Today is an excellent time to explore one of Yoda’s favorite words: Try. Yoda’s famous line is. “Do or do not. There is no try.”

He’s right. Which is why I do my best not to say I’m trying, I try, or I tried. Try is always a lie. You are either doing something or not. If you are doing it and saying that you are trying – you don’t own your actions. You are denying responsibility and playing small.

If you aren’t do anything but say you are trying, you are lying to yourself. Accept that you aren’t doing anything and decide to take action or not, but don’t keep lying about how hard you’re trying.

I’ve replaced “I’m trying” with “I’m doing the best I can.” I invite you to use that too.

Another technique to raise your awareness is to say something new in response to “Thank you.” Instead of responding with a well trained, “You’re welcome” or a grunt, why not say “My pleasure.” Such a response might be enough of a change to make both parties stop and receive the appreciation.

Our thoughts create our experiences. Everything is energy. Everything around you was first energy. It existed only in someone’s mind, but someone believed in their inspiration and took action on those thoughts.

I can be my inspiration. I can also be my judge and jury. One of those feels a LOT better than the other I assure you.

So to wrap this gift up; don’t neglect yourself this holiday season. Make sure that you are on your gift list. In addition to any tangible presents you get, give yourself the gift of increased awareness of your repetitive thoughts. Do your best with noticing how often you say you’re trying. Are you honestly taking action or not?

Put “my pleasure’ into your repertoire and begin to feel all the times you are thanked and appreciated.

Most of all, be good to yourself.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash