You know it's getting to be that time of year (wait, it already is!) when people run around on automatic pilot on the verge of a nervous breakdown as emotions run high, family tensions crank-up, our programing takes charge and as the collective is wired to focus on giving rather than receiving. We ALL are invited to overdo ourselves.

• Over give
• Over commit
• Over eat
• Over drink
• Over speak
• Over sleep...

You get the idea.  The holiday season can be your green light for over-indulgence.  'Hey! Everyone is doing it'... 'Tis the season.  Unfortunately these are old sometimes familial ways of comforting ourselves and dealing with the stress of modern day life.  And the reality is that usually leave us feeling depleted, malnourished at a soul-level, resentful and UN-fulfilled. 

My invitation to you this holiday season is to slow down and think about what you are doing and why.  Be sure to ask yourself what is the purpose of this relationship, my intention behind this gift, attending this event and check in with your inner voice to see if it is something that is in service to your highest expression.  If its not, kindly and while being gentle with yourself and others--- make another choice.

This is something I am setting as an intention this holiday season, being super conscious of what I do, participate in and understanding the motives behind all that I create.

As I see it, modern society desires for us to be materially rich and spiritually malnourished, it is a product of our externally focused culture and caring too much about what other people think.  Going outside of ourselves for nourishment.  All the massive change that is taking place on our planet right now is stimulating a shift within.  The more conscious you are going within to source your nourishment the more fulfilled you will be and your relationships, holidays and celebrations will be full of connection, peace, freedom, nourishment, love and compassion.

Ascertaining your value from OUTSIDE of yourself is no longer a viable solution to nourishment.  Its time for a shift to nourishing from the inside out.  So we can create with clarity from the inside out.

How to nourish your soul and fill your tank from the inside out during the holidays:

1. Slow down and breathe.  Easy peace-y.
2. Get clear on how you want to feel during the holidays and let go of the outcome.    Write it down.  "  I want to feel grateful, connected, loving and abundant Thanksgiving.  Review your mantra daily then let it go how it shows up and let your inner creative source  align with the universe to make magic.
3. Connect to your Creative Source: Write or paint every morning for 5 minutes. It doesn't have to be fancy.  I use watercolors and a journal and it flows really quick. I call it diarrhea of the mind.  Let it all hang out.  Just let it flow.  Give yourself permission to be as honest as possible about how your really feel, the garbage in your head, the toxic thoughts and feelings without judging yourself, let it run out of you and onto the page.  Feel it leaving every cell of your body.  If your writing, how do you really feel?  If your painting what color does your feeling have?  How does it want to express itself.  If you are feeling dandy then paint or write out how you want to experience your day...
4. Take a hot Epsom salt bath .  This will detox your energy field and clear you of other people's emotions/energy and environmental toxins and invite you to relax...
5. Cook and Eat healthy and nurturing foods, its OK to indulge a bit but do so with the best quality of food and stay away from toxins, over processed food and too much sugar.  Say an intention when cooking or baking, like a prayer for the food to be of nourishment.
6. Put on music to shift your mood and relax, dance or celebrate. Even if it is in your kitchen while your basking your holiday turkey.  Shake your booty.  Shake it real good.  This will move your energy and get your endorphins flowing.
7. Light candles that inspire you.  Find the aromas that delight you. Make your home a sanctuary of peace and renewal.
8. Make time for your exercise like yoga, walking, hiking in nature.  Crucial for any recipe for a happy and healthy holiday, especially one with a calm mind.
9. Meditate.  Even if it is just for 5 minutes of silence and stillness.  Mediation is to the Spirit what sleep is to the body. You can give this gift of peace and quiet to your self.  Focus on your breathe. Calm your mind.
10. Pleasure yourself.   It doesn't matter if in a partnership or flying solo... how do you let pleasure in?  After all new studies are showing it's not an apple but an orgasm a day that keeps the doctor away!  Pleasure is an avenue for practicing self-love and it also releasing stagnant energy, clears and resets our chakras and is a wonderful anecdote for anxiety.
11. Write out what you are grateful for.   Seriously. this. works. I have come to a practice where I write out every day, "Thank you Life for..."  When I focus on an attitude of gratitude, I open my mind up to receive more of the same.  Make it a daily practice.  It only takes 3 minutes.  Can you give 3 minutes a day to cultivating more miracles and opportunities that align with your heart?
12. Connect with Loved ones. When spending time with those you love this holiday open your heart and see yourself giving and receiving love from your heart space, with out expecting anything in return.  You will know how to replenish that love within anyway and that it will always come back to you if for some reason isn't returned...in the most miraculous ways.
13. HAVE FUN, be playful and remember sometimes humor is the best nourishment.  Especially when Aunt Edna has too much eggnog.

Have an extraordinary and nourishing Holiday and a heartfelt thanks to each of you for being a part of the Fire Tree Tribe!

We are grateful for YOU....with out you, our fire wouldn't burn as bright and our tree wouldn't grow as strong.  Thank you for all of your support and inspiration.  XOXO

Lots of love to you and your families for a nourishing and festive holiday season!