For those who are natural givers, the holiday season can be both a source of excitement and exhaustion. Here are 10 essential strategies to keep you balanced and grounded while you tackle your holiday duties.

When we meet someone who is very different from us, we can be quick to dismiss them because how they think and believe doesn't make sense to us. Sometimes, the differences are so fundamental that there can be no reconciliation or compromise.

Is it still possible to love those people?

Being in denial is a choice, though sometimes it’s not a conscious one. Many of us were taught how things are "supposed" to look and feel, so we cling to how things should be instead of facing how they actually are.

In Emptiness, there lies ultimate spiritual freedom. A soul, unbound, is free to access any dimension of consciousness. But does Emptiness have an application in the physical world, especially for those of us still experiencing the material plane here on Earth?

You reach your wits’ end and your current way of being isn’t working for the life you want, so you decide to make a real change. You have built enough awareness to discover a pattern of self-sabotage you’ve been repeating throughout your life.

Whether physically, psychologically, or energetically, everything in our life takes up space. Even the symbology of holding onto something that no longer has use or meaning in our life makes an imprint in the subconscious.

Sensitivity is an abstract quality. Unlike physical strength and productivity, sensitivity isn’t really quantifiable, at least, not in a structured way. But sensitivity is a much-needed quality, one that is scarce in our society today.

I’ve come across that response countless times before, either by words or facial expressions. Even when people don’t say it verbally, they communicate their cynicism with their eyes. Why is it so hard to believe in the genuine goodness in people? Are we too cynical as a society?

What I’ve discovered is that most people in any given community are there for the same reasons I am, to feel a sense of belonging. They’re hoping to find genuine connections, to share knowledge and interests, and create lasting friendships.

This journey can also pose many challenges and dilemmas, such as how authentic is too authentic? Should I always tell the truth about how I feel? Is the world around me ready to hear my truths?

Releasing each piece of your truth is like dropping a brick you’ve been carrying in your chest. Except you didn’t know you were carrying it until it was dropped and you all of a sudden felt lighter in the heart.

The International Labor Organization released a report that found working long hours, defined as more than 55 hours a week, was responsible for 745,000 deaths from stroke and heart disease in 2016 — a 29% increase since 2000.

One thing I want to mention is that not all fragrances are bad. We’ve sort of come to this notion that fragrances are bad and essential oils are good, which is not always the case. Not all fragrances are bad and not all essential oils are good. 

When his words guided us to visualize our bodies laying still, dying, my mind was on high alert, my emotions triggered, and I felt my body resisting his words and the experience. My mind had anticipated this dreaded moment and I was angry at its arrival, out of sheer fear of what I was going to feel next.

Lao Tzu has famously said: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” The worry and nervousness of anxiety is that of the future, or of events that haven't happened yet but we speculate could happen.

It can be a mind-blowing concept that simply breathing effectively can improve our overall health and longevity, with a good chance of preventing a large number of illnesses. Though, is it truly that mind-blowing when you think about it?

The outcomes of self-destructive thinking and self-destructive action are myriad and impossible to fully predict. However, what we do have control over is how we choose to view ourselves, having survived the ordeal.

Our logic isn’t always reliable when faced with a decision that can affect our not-so-tangible faculties like our emotions, self-esteem or general well-being. Our mind could snap into survival mode to try and protect us from hurt and harm.

We live in a fast-paced world, where a lot of people feel like they are behind. Burnout is prevalent. Comparison is almost impossible to avoid with more connectivity than ever.

In the intervening two-plus decades, I have experienced countless emotions, thoughts, reflections, regrets and losses, as well as victories, successes, lessons and blessings.