Written by: Tracey Lynn Pearson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I love this time of year. The gift-giving, the music, the food and spending time with my loved ones are all top on my list. What I don’t like is that empty feeling at the end of the season once the decorations are put away and the last guest leaves. 12 days of Peace is something I created for myself. It is a way to end the year grateful, quiet my mind and focus on the new mercies and blessings of the new year.
The goal is to intentionally focus on incorporating peace in my day. Like the song 12 days of Christmas, each day I add to my gift of peace to myself. Starting with December 25 and through January 6, I experience mindfulness, self loving practice.
The song says, “on the ___ day of Christmas my true love gave to me.” I love this as we are taking on the role of our own true love. Yes, we love others and we give to others, but self-love is important. It is not selfish but gives us what we need to love others. That basic love must be there first before you can truly love someone else. Once we love ourselves and find our peace, we can share with others. Join me this holiday season for the 12 days of peace.
December 25, 2021
On the first day of peace, give yourself the practice of peace. When you are at peace, that peace permeates to others. Peacefully show your love, by taking care of yourself. What is one thing that you can do for yourself right now that would help quiet your mind and settle you? For this first day try to look beyond the mani-pedi, manscaping expression. (Unless you truly need that.). Think about how to settle your mind and spirit. Some ideas may be coloring, dancing, taking a walk, journaling, yoga, meditation, prayer, or worship, taking peaceful breaths (large inhale, hold it for 2 seconds and exhaling). You may want to try a free 3-minute body scan.
December 26. 2021
On the second day of peace, give yourself the gift of gratitude. Make a gratitude list. Grab some paper and a pen and spend 5-10 minutes writing down what you are grateful for. Try not to judge it. Everything you think of is good enough. We need to notice the big and small things.
December 27, 2021
On the third day of peace, give yourself the gift of enjoying nature. Numerous studies have shown that spending time around trees and green spaces calms and help to ease stress. If you can get outside, even if it is only for 5-10 minutes. If it is really cold try to find an indoor space, like a mall or garden store and just spend some time breathing in the air and surroundings. Going for a walk is great if you can, but if you cannot, you can improve your mood by experiencing nature indoors. This can occur from placing a few potted plants in your home or office. Even just looking at photos of plants online or watching a YouTube video of nature can help.
December 28, 2021
On the fourth day of peace, give yourself the peace of organization. Organize an area that causes you some stress. You don’t need to take on a large project, although you could. But even organizing a jewelry box, kitchen drawer or home office area will help. Messy areas often cause stress. Take control of your life by organizing your house, your tasks, and your thoughts.
December 29, 2021
On the fifth day of peace, give yourself the gift of letting go and inviting in. This can be very hard, but holding on to pain only hurts you. You may not be able to do all this in one day. If this is difficult start with small hurt. Acknowledge how you feel about it and how you feel about yourself. Is there shame, anger, resentment, etc? Release the control and power it has on you. Either choose to let go of the painful emotion or choose to let in peace and joy. Close your eyes and imagine, and visualize what you’d love to have instead in your life.
December 30, 2021
On the sixth day of peace give yourself the gift of not worrying about what people think. The truth of the matter is that people may be. There’s no use in trying to avoid judgment. You will be the angel and demon in someone’s story, and you don’t get to pick your part. People will have their opinions. While you can’t control how everyone perceives you, you don’t have to give up peace as a result. Surround yourself with supportive people and keep in mind that you’re likely judging yourself harder than anyone else is.
December 31, 2021
On the seventh day of peace focusing on what is useful. You are what you think. When you focus on the negative or things you cannot change, you are filling your time, energy and focus to the negative. You begin to feel more negative, anxious, angry. You also increase the chance to make problems worse. Begin by being mindful of your thoughts. If something can’t be changed, look at how to accept or adjust to its presence.
January 1, 2022
On the eighth day of peace, stay in the present. Peace comes with contentment in the present, anxiety comes with worrying about the future, and regret comes from worrying about the past. Staying in the present allows us to have peace and increased focus. When you feel yourself drift to worry or regret, remind yourself to be present in what you have now. Look in your surroundings for what you can see, hear, feel, smell or taste.
January 2, 2022
On the nineth day of peace, make a commitment to not try and change others. This is a waste of your time as we struggle to change ourselves. In addition, we are no longer seeing the person for who they are, but the version of them we want them to be. Try to recognize when this is happening and take the energy from them to you. What can you improve? How can you be better?
January 3, 2022
On the tenth day of peace, speak your truth. Try to avoid not saying how you really feel or speaking up for yourself. The more you stay quiet the more likely you will have situations you don’t desire. Speaking honestly can take time and practice but by learning to be respectful, clear and direct you will feel better about yourself and gain better outcomes from others. You can write your thoughts first, practice them on a camera phone and review the recording and finetune any portions. Using I language like I feel, I want or I need are great starters.
January 4, 2022
On the eleventh day of peace, clear your conscience. Carrying around guilt, regret and shame for our past mistakes directly affect our peace. As you practice letting things go, letting things in and speaking your truth, examine what things you need to either forgive yourself for or make right. Start the process to no longer hold yourself hostage.
January 5, 2022
On the twelfth day of peace, meditate. A few minutes of meditation each day will help you remain calm during any situation. Find a quiet place with few distractions. If stillness is difficulty try stretching before you meditate. This helps release the stress and tension in various parts of your body and helps you relax to have a more enjoyable meditation.
Don’t force emptying your mind. Let your thoughts flow. Use a guided mediation like Calm or Insight Timer if necessary. Start small (5-10 minutes) and gradually add time the more often you practice.
Going forward, share your peace. Once you have inner peace, you can influence your surroundings. Spreading peace around us helps reduce the minutia and stress of daily life.
Tracey Lynn Pearson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tracey helps those who are stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed develop lasting and mindful practices according to their values, personality, and lifestyles. She guides an experience a more refreshed, nurtured, and peaceful life that enhances their relationship with self and others.
As a licensed independent mental health counselor, ordained minister, and restorative yoga instructor, Tracey is inspired and equipped to help you find your peaceful place.
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