Release Expectations!

This is an article I wrote for the Our Town Colonie magazine for this December 2012 titled: Release Expectations!

Why do people feel “holiday stress?”  At first glance, it seems the opposite of what the holidays represent.  There’s even a song stating “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  That statement creates expectation.  Expectation is the act of anticipating the occurrence or coming of something.  Expectations are the source of “holiday stress.”  By always having expectations, you are constantly preparing for situations that may or may not happen, wasting a great deal of energy.  By focusing on this minutia, you miss the magic of the holidays.

My experience, training, and certifications are in yogic philosophy and hypnosis.  Each encourages you to focus on the present moment.  Both are also very effective at releasing expectations which keep you stressed and uncomfortable.  One of my teachers often says “expectations build preconceived resentments.”  If you expect one thing and get something else (even if what you received was wonderful) a part of you is disappointed, hurt, or resentful.  Throughout the year (but especially at this time of year when so many people have expectations), it is important to understand you have a choice.  You can try to live up to the expectations of others (and expect others to do the same), or you can let go of expectations and simply enjoy this moment, this breath, this interaction with this person, now.

What if you released expectations (being “perfect,” getting the “perfect gift” or being “successful”)?  What if you weren’t put on this earth to live up to other people’s expectations (and they aren’t here to live up to yours)?  Then you will find that this moment, this breath, IS the “most wonderful time of the year.”  And if you string enough of those moments together, it makes for “a wonderful life!”  It starts with a breath.  How about this one?

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