“A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which to our possible surprise, includes ourselves." ~ Kristin Lin Hello, friends!
I just dropped off Javier at the groomer’s. Simply getting there on our slippery back roads feels like an accomplishment. Especially with our boy in full trembles at my side. Javi has decided that ANY time he gets into a car, he might be going somewhere terrible and torturous. 😩 I’ve tried driving him around to lots of fun places (Grandma and Grandpa’s, doggo friends’ houses, his favorite hiking spots . . . ) so he knows odds are good he’s NOT going to the Vet or the Groomer. And, honestly . . . should the groomer be lumped into this same category? The woman who grooms him, LOVES him! When it comes to that appointment? I’m thinking Javi should embrace the spa day. 😉 Turns out, even for my little nine-pound wonder, life is complex. And talk about complex. This time of year can really do it for many of us. The Holidays contain lots of cheer and loads of sparkle. And, they can also be full of stress, difficult get togethers, challenging conversations, pressures on finances, etc. That’s why I chose this week’s quotation. It’s a long one. Give it another good look. 👀 I used to want certain things to be FULL of joy. Nothing else allowed in. Example: decorating the house for Christmas. My idea is that this activity should be full-on-holiday-cheer. Holiday music! Twinkly lights! Sparkly decorations! Everyone happy and sparkly, too. 😉 Maybe that’s real for some of us, Or maybe that happens once or twice. But frankly, that’s not the reality in our house. Invariably, some of the lights are not working. And, they’re tangled. We can’t find the box of red candles. Javi is chewing anything and everything that hits the ground. And now, with the house looking extra chaotic because we’re only half way through, we’re late for a dinner get together. This whole decorating thing is feeling like a bit too much. Why did it we do it this way? Can’t we carve out more time so it feels spacious and a bit more festive? Is there something wrong with us that we aren’t enjoying this more? Isn’t this supposed to be festive and fun? Again, the quotation. ⬆️ If we are trying to eliminate aspects of our emotions, we are probably setting ourselves up for a reckoning. So, rather than enter an activity insistent upon joy, or fun, or ease, or whatever else we are wanting . . . I propose coming in open to the actual experience. That way, when frustration, or anger, or resentment, or impatience, begins creeping in (or BURSTING through!), we can be with that as well. If we are open to the multitudes, we can more readily recognize whatever shift is happening. We can acknowledge it. Say hello to it. And then make conscious choices about what direction we want to move from there. We can take steps as to how best help ourselves. Then, we can continue moving the needle in the direction we want to go. Softening our jaw. Relaxing our shoulders. Taking a few, beautiful breaths. I hope all our holidays sparkle. And, I’m all about staying regulated. ♥️ Oh, and why not continue celebrating the smalls? Life’s little perks and pluses that are happening all around us. One beautiful way to celebrate yourself this season? Join me for my favorite practice of the year: Registration is open ✨ Winter Solstice Yoga + Sound experience at the Saugatuck Yacht Club Sunday, December 21 | 6 - 7:30 P.M. With love and light, ~m P.S. I promise! Pictures of Javi, next week! 🐶♥️
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AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
December 2025
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