FSOC – The 3 Keys to a Low-stress Christmas (and a Happy New Year)
At the end of what has been one of the strangest years in living memory, it’s not surprising when people ask me what the secret is to have a low-stress Christmas and a genuinely happy new year. In this article, you’re going to discover my top three tips for enjoying the holidays and the year ahead.
Key Number 1 – Connection
The holidays are supposed to be a time of warmth, togetherness and connection with loved ones. But all too often “imposed togetherness” results in stress and conflict. Old family skeletons fall out of the closet, unrealistic expectations aren’t met and tempers get frayed.
The holidays are supposed to be a time of warmth, togetherness and connection with loved ones. But all too often “imposed togetherness” results in stress and conflict. Old family skeletons fall out of the closet, unrealistic expectations aren’t met and tempers get frayed.
Of course, in 2020, lockdowns around the world mean that many people are having ‘imposed separateness’; unable to meet up with friends and loved ones, and this is giving rise to stress, pressure and unhappiness.
All of this is the result of contaminated thinking; a misunderstanding about where our feelings are coming from. It often seems like our feelings of stress are coming from our circumstances (the endless Christmas songs, the bank balance, the lockdown) but they’re actually coming from the principle of Thought taking form in the moment.
Feelings of warmth and connection are natural for human beings when there’s nothing in the way. And what gets in the way? Contaminated thinking; the mistaken belief that our feelings are coming from something other than Thought in the moment. Seeing through this misunderstanding immediately starts a self-correcting process that returns us to clarity and connection.
Key Number 2 – Clarity
Clarity is a kind of universal resource; when we have a clear head, we automatically feel connected to who we really are, to the people around us, and to life itself. We intuitively know how to deal with even the most difficult situations. It’s well-known that top athletes and business leaders profit from a clear mind, but it’s less widely understood that clarity is equally essential when it comes to everyday life.
Clarity is a kind of universal resource; when we have a clear head, we automatically feel connected to who we really are, to the people around us, and to life itself. We intuitively know how to deal with even the most difficult situations. It’s well-known that top athletes and business leaders profit from a clear mind, but it’s less widely understood that clarity is equally essential when it comes to everyday life.
When our minds are clogged with contaminated thinking, we tend to feel disconnected, stressed and tetchy. When we’re lost in contaminated thinking, it looks like our feelings are coming from somewhere other than Thought in the moment. But that’s never the case. Even if everyone in the family would swear that Great Aunt Agatha definitely is really, really annoying… 100% of their experience of Aggie is coming from Thought in the moment.
One of the biggest contributors to contaminated thinking is the “I’ll be happy when…” syndrome. Modern marketers inundate us with powerful imagery and messages telling us that the products and services they sell will bring us security, happiness and wellbeing, but it just doesn’t work that way. Our feelings about life are generated from the inside out.
If you doubt this, look at little children; clarity and connection are a way of life for them. They get lost in contaminated thinking just like the rest of us, but they let it go quickly and naturally, returning to clarity. Little children intuitively understand the “make-believe” nature of the power of Thought.
Key Number 3 – Understanding
At this point, people often ask “How can I get rid of contaminated thinking and start experiencing the clarity and connection that will give me a great holiday season?”
At this point, people often ask “How can I get rid of contaminated thinking and start experiencing the clarity and connection that will give me a great holiday season?”
It’s the most natural thing in the world. Feelings of stress and irritation are often a signal that you’re caught up in the outside-in misunderstanding. The fact that you’re reading this article means that when you get stressed, it will occur to you at some point that the feeling is coming from Thought rather than your circumstances. The moment it occurs to you, the process of waking up from contaminated thinking has begun.
The mind is a self-correcting system, naturally designed to return you to clarity, connection and peace of mind. The only things required for that process to happen are an understanding of how the system works, and an absence of external correction. Clarity is the natural capacity for experience – thinking, feeling and perceiving – that all human beings are born with.
This innate capacity generates 100% of our experience of life, moment-to-moment. Clarity and connection are a naturally emergent property of the mind – they aren’t something you do; they’re something you already have.
BTW, if you want to get a deeper understanding of what I mean by ‘The principle of Thought’, you can check out this 8-minute recording I made called ‘The Eternal Creative Fire of Perception’. You can find the recording and a brief article about it here https://www.jamiesmart.com/eternal-creative-fire-perception/
Thanks for all your support in 2020. Wishing you a warm, peaceful holiday time and a happy, prosperous 2021. To your understanding, clarity and connection!
Big love,
Jamie
Jamie Smart, Sunday Times Bestselling Author, Speaker & Executive Coach
PS You know how most people have a lot on their minds? We teach subtractive psychology, an understanding that automatically clears your mind, and gives you the clarity and confidence to solve your problems and enjoy life to the full.
Plus, whenever you’re ready… here are 7 ways I can help you get the clarity and results that matter to you:
1. Listen to the ‘Get Clarity’ Podcast
2. Book me to speak at your event: http://www.jamiesmart.com/book-jamie-to-speak-about/
3. Enroll on the Career Transition Blueprint self-study programme, our rapid-implementation programme to help you move to do work that’s more fulfilling and on-purpose for you.
If you’re a coach, interested in becoming a coach or just passionate about sharing the principles behind clarity…
4. Join The Clarity Life Community on Facebook.
5. Listen to The Thriving Coaches Podcast
6. I have room in my practice for 2 Apprentices, starting in January 2021. Apprenticeship with me takes courage, as well as a significant commitment of time, energy and finances (the investment to become one of my Apprentices is currently £50,000 + VAT), so it’s not for everybody. If you think it might be a good fit for you, hit reply to this email and write “Apprentice info please” and we’ll get back to you with some info and questions to help you get clear on whether or not we’re a good fit for each other.
7. There’s only 1 place left on the 2021 Clarity Certification Training, and the programme starts at the end of January. You can save up to £1500 when you book your place by midnight Pacific time on January 15th. To be clear: we will not be adding any more seats on the programme. Once this one is gone, the programme is full and we’ll be opening the waiting list for the 2022 intake.
Or if you want to talk to someone to find out if CCT is a good fit for you, you can schedule a call with Deb on my team here (she’s lovely).