THE CHRISTMAS GIFT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

 *This article was originally published on the Daily Mom website

When I think of Christmas as a child in Australia, I recall playing on the grass on a summer’s night, fresh from an evening bath and dressed in cotton pyjamas. I hear the crickets chirping and the neighbourhood children playing, squealing in delight. Santa was on his way! Indoors, the sound of Christmas carols played, encouraging further anticipation. Cookies and milk were placed and not-so-tired children were slowly meandered to bed.

When I got to the age that suggestions of Santa’s non-existence were being shared throughout the playground, I remained unperturbed. Some might put my unwavering belief down to my rose-coloured glasses I wore as a child and continue to view the world through.

Are we generally a species of kind-hearted and compassionate humans?

I choose to think so.

Others may say my belief in Santa is because of my naivety. Granted, my husband was able to pull off our surprise wedding three days before Christmas, but neither of these are the reasons I continued to believe Santa existed.

Surprisingly, my belief in the stranger who appears in a red suit once a year to bring gifts for good boys and girls, in every house around the world, in the same night none-the-less, was based on logic. Yes, my childhood logic surmised: Santa MUST be true because how could one person construct an idea, share it and this idea be embraced globally? And share it with whom by-the-way and how? This was pre-social media remember.

Back to Old Saint Nic. Yes, I was a believer and I hope you were too. I’m going to assume Santa isn’t still sliding down your chimney (I don’t need to know what happens behind closed doors in your house) or flying his sleigh overhead. Santa doesn’t exist, but you don’t need him to grant you the best gift this year – you can be the one to do that.

When you were young, you believed in Santa Clause because of what you were told as a child.

Then one day you didn’t.

What was once a truth suddenly and forever … wasn’t.

Being certain Santa Clause was real is not the only belief you’ve held as truth and then discovered, was merely a constructed story, made up somewhere by someone.

It’s not the only thought you no longer need to keep.

Throughout life, you’ve created thousands of beliefs and identified them as facts, allowing them to impact every area of your life.

Here are examples:

Mums can’t do that.

I’m too old.

There’s not enough time.

Money doesn’t grow on trees.

People always let me down.

I can’t be trusted.

Bad things happen in threes.

“A belief is not merely an idea the mind possesses;

it is an idea that possesses the mind.”

Robert Bolton

What are your go-to phrases, thoughts or beliefs?

Take a moment to think of what you know for sure. Then ask yourself, is this really a truth? For instance, if you asked one hundred people, would they also believe that thought?

Would 100 people think ‘mums can’t do that’, or ‘you’re too old’?

The answer is no, because it’s not a fact. Heck, there are mums running corporations AND raising loved children. There are women in their 60’s getting certifications, creating physically strong bodies, or leaving their husbands. If you search hard enough, you can find examples to discount your beliefs.

There's a difference between beliefs and facts, like ‘cement is hard’ or ‘grass is green’.

That’s the difference: a fact can’t be argued, but beliefs can.

Continue to sift through your thinking to discover how you can gift yourself with new Christmas learnings. Just like believing in Santa Clause, I guarantee you have other beliefs created years ago, that now no longer help you.

Maybe you’re not too busy to exercise?

Perhaps you can become the calm mum?

You wonder if you can find love a second time?

On embracing this awareness, you immediately move yourself to a place of empowerment.

The greatest gift of all.

As you progress through your days, ask yourself if what you’re thinking is moving you closer to the woman and mother you want to be, or is it keeping you in an unresourceful story?

If they’re thoughts you’re tired of living with, put them in the same sack as Santa: useful once, but not needed anymore. Let’s write a new story, sweet friend. You'll be glad you did not only for you, but for the way this will empower your children too.

Kindly

Catherine