In this Issue

	A personal note from Yota
	'Tis the season to be present!
	Yota recommends
	Blog updates - "A healthy life; If not now, when?"
	Subscriber information

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A personal note from Yota

Happy Holidays!

It snowed yesterday. The first snow of the season. In the evening, when the moonlight reflected on the snow, it all glittered. It looked magical. We are well into the holiday season; Hanukkah and Christmas approaching fast.

How are you coping this time of the year? Are you able to stay grounded and get in touch with the true spirit of the season or do you find yourself feeling stretched and "off center" with each passing day?

How well are you coping with stress? Take this quiz and find out!

This is a special time, a time for reflection, community sharing, giving of ourselves and receiving other people's blessings.  Days are becoming shorter and nights are getting longer and colder. We are being pulled inside while social patterns are pushing us out. Striking a balance is crucial for your well being.

Read "'Tis the season to be present!", 508 words describing the three best gifts you can give yourself this year.

Many blessings to all!

'Tis the season to be present!

Thanksgiving is behind us and off we go towards the next round of festivities, celebrations, and gatherings. I've always loved the holidays; they add warmth and glow to the cold season. I've also learned that it's easy to lose ourselves in the roller coaster of holiday activity, mismanaged priorities, and social pressure.

It's important to know how you really want this time of the year to be. What do you crave for? What is your heart's desire? As you go through your days, busy thoughts racing through your mind, what do you wish you had?

When we are clear as to our wants and needs, we are more likely to satisfy them. Neglecting to honor our personal needs results in lack of personal balance and satisfaction.

This year show your gratitude for your life by honoring yourself and bestowing your blessings upon you and those around you. Give yourself the gift of practicing:

1. Self-awareness. Being aware of how you feel in any given situation and what you truly want, is a gift and an art worth learning. It takes practice, for certain. Most of us haven't been encouraged to be present within ourselves and honor ourselves. After all, being human is a journey into self-awareness.
   
   Imagine the strength that comes from knowing, at any given moment, who you are, what you want, and what you want to do, beyond any reasonable doubt.
   
   As you go through your day give yourself the gift of pausing and asking "How do I feel right now?", "Is this something I want to do or is it something I am expected to do?", "What do I want to do instead?", "Am I willing to do what I want?" You'll be surprised how little time it takes to do this exercise.
    
2. Self-acceptance. Children are great teachers in presence of mind and self-acceptance. They seem to know exactly what they want and when they want it by (it's usually now). They don't seem to feel self-conscious or guilty for getting their needs and wants met. Adults, are a different story altogether. Whether we have what we want or not, we find a way to torture and reject ourselves and feel guilty on top of it!
   
   Are you one of these unfortunate but extremely mainstream adults that engage in self-criticism as often as you get the chance? Try some good old fashioned forgiveness and kindness towards the only person that will always be there for you, no matter what: Yourself!
    
3. Self-love. Am I pushing it? It blows my mind that we actually think we can love others without loving ourselves first. Our relationship with ourselves is an ongoing exercise in learning to love, unconditionally. Isn't that how humans have been wired to love? So, let's practice some self-love this season and for seasons to come.

See yourself for who you are, accept yourself, and feel love and compassion for the person you are, for all you have been and all you are meant to be.
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©2008 Open for Success. All rights reserved.
If you'd like to use this article in your own newsletter, on your web site, or on your blog, you are welcome to reprint it in its entirety with an active link to my web site and the following author info:
"By Yota Schneider of Open for Success. Working with high powered professionals and entrepreneurs to help them restore their sense of balance and purpose. http://www.openforsuccess.com."

Yota recommends

A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness by Kathleen Hall

Invisible Acts of Power: Personal Choices That Create Miracles by Caroline Myss, Ph.D. 

Blog updates - "A healthy life; If not now, when?"

You may enjoy reading this latest entry in my blog.

"A healthy life; If not now, when?"

Living a healthy life, what does it really mean? Is a healthy life reflected in our physical health, our mental state, our relationships, our work, our stress level? What does it mean?

I was talking to a young woman yesterday. She is twenty-four years old, very bright, beautiful, and a genuine mover and shaker. She had just changed jobs and we were talking about her process. I shared my experience of climbing the corporate ladder only to find out - as I was turning forty - that I wasn’t willing to keep paying the price for corporate success. Living a life of inner conflict wasn’t for me. Read more

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