The calendar is completely booked out with parties and family gatherings, presents to buy and wrap, journey’s to be made, preparations for a holiday (if you are one of the lucky ones). Rush! Rush! Rush!. Sound familiar?

Hope some of these thoughts on Surviving the Silly Season make it more enjoyable for you.

1. Stop

Yes you can do it. Even if it’s just for a few moments for a cuppa. Relax. Breathe deeply. Sigh if you have to. Make sure you create some ‘me time’, a little oasis of rest, rejuvenation and self nurturing.

2.  You don’t have to say ‘yes’ to everything

Life is always demanding but increasingly so at this time of year. Learning to say ‘no’ creatively and non-offensively is a skill that is always helpful to have. Feeling obligated or being made feel guilty to do certain things is never the best motivation and it’s always better for all concerned for you to do what YOU feel is right for YOU. ‘Thank you for the invitation/I would like to come but unfortunately’ is always a good way to start.

3. You don’t have to eat everything on your plate

Or go back for seconds unless you want to. If someone complains that you are not eating everything, tell them, Coach Anthony said it was okay. Hehe. Then again, you may want to forget all the rules this Christmas and stuff yourself silly. Go for it. Just make sure the choices are your choices and drink lots of water.

4. Don’t whinge – be grateful

Have you noticed how many people slip into complaining more around this time of year? It’s too hot (southern hemisphere) It’s too cold (northern hemisphere). I spent too much money. I ate too much. There is too much traffic on the roads. The shops are too crowded. I HATE Christmas. I’m over it.

In our western world we actually have nothing to complain about. How would you go living in Iraq, some parts of Asia, Africa or some areas of Eastern Europe? We have much to be grateful for. Knowing what is going on in other parts of the world helps me keep things in perspective.

• More than 1 billion people survive (or don’t survive) on less that US$1 a day.
• A further 1.5 billion people live on a mere $1-$2 per day,35,000 people die each day from starvation
• In the past decade, 2 million children were killed in wars, 6 million were seriously injured or permanently disabled and 12 million were left homeless.
• Migrant traffickers smuggle an estimated 700,000 to 2 million women and children each year. Most find themselves forced into prostitution and/or slavery to pay off their debt to the traffickers.

Those figures are not meant to be depressing but a reminder that WE have much to be grateful for, we are blessed. Make sure you choose to enjoy this time with friends and family.

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber to my newsletter and trust you have found some of the information of value during 2014.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season and may 2015 be successful, rewarding and fulfilling.

ENJOY.

Anthony Venn-Brown