Here are some tips to help calm the chaos of your holidays:

• For every holiday decoration you put out, box up an all year round decoration (perhaps in the same box).
• Depending on the weather in your area, open windows to allow your home to breath.
• Take a breath yourself and try not to beat yourself up that you haven't done enough...you've done enough and it's OK.
• Enjoy the gatherings, surely there is something fun or funny about them.

​First, do you actually use your kitchen or dining table?  If not, how are your relationships going? 
Our eating tables are key to our relationships, use them and your relationships are bountiful, neglect them and your relationships will neglect you.  
Round tables are best as they allow everyone to see each other and the round shape keeps the conversation flowing. 
Many fond memories can be created around the table where food, laughter and good conversation can nourish your body and mind!

To be mindfully thankful, continuously, may take some brain training.  We are all guilty of taking the common things around us for granted.  Are you mindfully grateful each time you turn on your faucet of fresh clean water, the clothes in your closet, the roof over your head?  This time of year brings Thankfulness to the forefront but it should always be in the forefront.  Here are a some ideas to help you to be more mindfully grateful...continuously:

• Start a Grateful or Thankful journal where you write each day what you are grateful for.  I use a small calendar book just for my daily grateful thoughts.
• Pause...before turning on the water, eating your food etc. to acknowledge how lucky you are.
• Be of service to those in need.  Help a neighbor or volunteer at a charity, continuously.