Written by: Bernadette Bruckner, 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.
Jack was pissed off at Halloween and had a naughty plan to hijack Santa Claus and take his place! How scary is that? Or is it?
Which of you know Tim Burton's movie "Nightmare before Christmas?"
What does Christmas stand for in your country? Exploring your religious beliefs? In Austria, we don't have Santa Claus for Christmas; instead, we have the little Christ child. But we do have "Niklaus", who is like Santa Claus, on 6 December.
When I saw the movie, I was like, I'm not sure which is more fun, Halloween or Christmas?" For Halloween, it seems like we have less stress about celebrating with family than at Christmas. At Christmas, I always connect old childhood memories of too much food (and later too much alcohol), too many family visits, too much weird singing, too much "you have to wear nice clothes and shoes", and definitely too many cookies. Not only for one day but at least four to five days.
On the other hand, presents. Here again, including cookies from relatives.
Is family obligation for holidays?
I grew up learning that on special holidays we HAD TO VISIT FAMILY. Period.
It was an obligation, big time, and if we didn't visit them my parents and relatives would be disappointed as they had prepared food for us, again!
And yet, why can't we visit them during the other days of the year? Don't we enjoy seeing them?
Sometimes, when I do my coaching, I get the sense that having family and visiting them is something "unpleasant" and "annoying" instead of "a pleasure to have a family". Too much hurt arises during the coaching, which, most of the time, is related to family members. Why is it this way?
How about you? Do you enjoy your family around you (whenever), or are you annoyed by them? Tell me!
Holiday blues are a matter of (inner) attitude. I love visiting my family. Maybe I didn't as a child, but as an adult, I love to hear all the stories of the "good old times", see the family pictures, and enjoy our weird sense of humour (especially with my cousins). The cookies remind me of my childhood, and maybe because many relatives are already gone, I recognise how precious time really is.
Should "family first" always be true?
On 25 December 2008, I went to Sri Lanka for a timeout. For me, back then, it was very brave NOT being with the family during the holiday but choosing something different. I went alone as I was on an Ayurveda retreat where I wanted to plan for my future.
It was the second time in my whole life I had NOT been at home for Christmas.
My first "non-family" Xmas was when I was an au-pair in sunny Florida. I loved it!
The second was Sri Lanka. It was one of my best decisions ever.
Breaking free from conventions and obligations might be tough, yet it is often necessary to find out yourself how you want to celebrate.
So, where do the holiday blues come from?
Is it always about pleasing others? Especially family?
These are the questions I asked myself for many years, and my answer to each is simple; "YES!"
Being loved by my parents and family members as I grew up, I wanted to please them more. Was that healthy for me? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and yet, how will I feel when they aren't around anymore? Will I feel "freer"?
No.
I love my family, and I have blues times outside holidays too.
If you could choose, completely freely, how would you celebrate your holidays?
The same as now?
Differently?
With James Bond or Prince Charming?
The nightmare before Christmas
There is a funny quote about a guy and his neighbour. The guy was looking for a tool to fix something in his house, and he remembered that his neighbour had the tool. He became very angry inside as he beLIEved that the neighbour had stolen his tool and didn't want to give it back as it was expensive.
His inner story made him so angry that when he went to the neighbour, he yelled at him big time on the doorstep.
The neighbour had never had the tool.
The guy's wife had taken it.
So how does your nightmare story before your Christmas holidays actually begin?
Rewrite your inner script story to be something nicer, like a good Hollywood movie with a happy ending.
Bernadette Bruckner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine The creative allrounder and multipotentialite worked successfully in different working fields in Austria and abroad. By her interest in corporate communications, marketing, human resources and many other areas of business, she has appropriated an enormous amount of knowledge over the more than 30 years.
Numerous educations at international top-trainers like Richard Bandler, Robert Dilts, Roy Martina and Clinton Swaine. Internationally active as holistic mentor in health, nutrition and mental health with exceptional resilience methods. The multipreneur and founder of „iMM® – intuitive mentoring method“ and „1-min-coaching-to-go®“ as well „iScriptModelling®“, further developments of NLP, as well as „ORINITION® - n(fl)ourish soul.mind.body.“ – an innovative nutrition work of (re-) membering our own body intelligence. The latest created modell cracking the subconsciousness is „iScriptModelling®“ supporting others unleashing their hidden potentials³. Currently she is working on the LeanHealth4Business model® for more corporate health.
Successfully Master’s degree in health management with focus on public health. International PhD studies & research in the fields of health communication with focus on health economics combined with neuro plasticity and psycho linguistics. Her biggest dream is becoming a family therapist and mediator with focus on supporting people with transgenerative traumatas.
International publisher and author of numerous books in different languages.
Global Author Award 2018 / Nominatee NLP Award in Research 2019 in London.
Brainz 500 Award 2021 and 2022 as well nominatee for the Powerhouse Global Awards 2021/2022
2022 opening her own research center for intuitive science in Austria - HolisticScriptFactory® and THE health|nutrition literacy LAB®.
In her spare time she passionate designs dresses, bags, houses and much more.
With her podcasts, radio show and soon own TV show as well her health magazine she invites experts and people with real stories showing up, beeing seen, heard and recognized for changing together awareness around the globe!
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