Give YOURSELF a Gift This Holiday Season

The gift of rest. If you find yourself in a hurry and becoming angry and impatient, take time to rest. Rest may be a nap, or five minutes of sitting with your feet up and eyes closed; or a walk. You create a time of rest for you.

The gift of self care. Exercise, eat nutritious foods, and get your needed sleep. These are vital in self care. If you aren't caring for yourself, how can you care about others.

The gift of forgiving yourself. Let go of guilt! What you "should of", "could of", and "would of" gets heavy to carry around. Next time do things differently, but don't beat yourself up for past mistakes.

The gift of asking for help when you need it. You don't have to do everything yourself! Use your wisdom and create ways to get assistance. Asking for help provides the opportunity to create relationships and memories.

The gift of the present moment. Let go of past regrets and future worries. Stay in the "here" and "now" and enjoy present experiences and people around you.

The gift of fun. What fun activities do you enjoy? Have you set time aside for them lately? If you find yourself saying, "I would like to…", "If only I could…". Listen to yourself and act on your hopes now.

The gift of friends and family. In reaching out to others, we create a support system for our self, which is vital during those difficult times in our lives. Remember to share the joys in your life with these special people too.

The gift of managing yourself. What do you need and want in life? Find a balance between work, home, and relaxation. Remember also that other people's problems belong to them. Let go of their responsibilities. It will set you free!

The gift of knowing yourself. What is meaningful in your life? When you center on your priorities, goals, dreams and hopes, you channel energy into what you have control over and what you can change. Life is choices. Choose what works now, but remember you can change options as you, life situations and people around you change.

The gift of you. There is NO ONE in the world just like you. Embrace your uniqueness. Challenge yourself to try new experiences and learn something new. These opportunities provide new growth and renewed energy.

Enjoy these gifts you give yourself.

Phylis Stromme, MSW, is a therapist in the Kennewick, Washington, office of LCS. She works with adults, teens, couples and families, specializing in spiritual/religious counseling and parenting issues. She has a particular interest in assisting those with terminal illnesses, as well as grief and loss issues.