Prepare for the Holidays
Holidays – a word with so much meaning for all of us. But, it is so much more than a word. It is an experience. We talk about the things we want to do – the parades, shopping, decorating the places in which we live, giving and doing for others, who is and isn’t coming, but all those thoughts linger in our heads. Have we asked ourselves, “what truly matters to me and those I love this holiday season?”
Have we wondered, “If I can pick only one thing that really matters the most, what would it be?”
After much thought, my answer is love. It is feeling the presence of love in all that I do that matters the most to me. Love has a way of living inside us – in our hearts and minds – no matter where we travel this holiday season. I can carry love as I shop, prepare food, light candles, and socialize with others. I share my love when I express gratitude and when I travel to visit family and friends. Wherever I go, I want to take love with me.
Instead of pressure, insecurity, and disappointment, let’s remember why the holidays are so important to each of us. Whether you choose to express love as your soul purpose this holiday season or choose gratitude, healthy, or personal connections, you will be choosing to focus your energy on something positive.
In my role as the Group Support Leader for the Ornish Reversal Program in Rehoboth Beach, I try to emphasize the importance of an individual’s outlook on life. While many struggle with poor eating habits or financial concerns during the year, these issues can explode during the holidays when other stress piles up.
The Ornish Reversal Program is nationally recognized—through the results of more than 35 years of peer-reviewed, published research—for preventing, stopping, and even reversing the progression of heart disease.
The program consists of a Lifestyle prescription which includes four pillars: Nutrition, Stress Management, Fitness, and Love and Support. All four pillars are equal in the reversal of heart disease, but this month we would like to focus on one that seems most appropriate for the upcoming holiday season – love and support.
Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads to healing.
Participants in the Ornish program spend two hours each week openly and safely discussing their feelings and finding their inner voice in the group support sessions. Throughout the sessions there is the continuous theme of listening to your heart and finding the love within. Each participant leaves the love and support sessions with an increased awareness of the meaning of love.
It is up to each of us to decide how we approach life. We can approach it with negativity or we can choose to open our hearts and minds to love. I choose love and I hope you do as well.
Liz White, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and Group Support Leader for the Beebe Healthcare Ornish Reversal Program. The program is now open in the Beebe Medical Arts Building at the Rehoboth Beach Health Campus. For more information, call (302) 645-3514 or go online to http://www.beebehealthcare.org/ornish.
Read more community health posts on the Beebe blog: http://www.beebehealthcare.org/blog-posts
