Host Your Life

“All of us must make our own way…we must learn to depend for brief moments on fellow travelers for sanctuary, support and an occasional willingness to walk side by side.” – Brené Brown

When I think of the holidays, I think of the warmth that’s shared in intimate gatherings among the people who know you best. It’s always been my favorite time of year. And especially now that I live in another state away from my family, it’s even more special.

There are certain traits that I have taken from this beloved time of year to my every day. You too can take a bit of this holiday magic and sprinkle it into the rest of your year. Be the host of your life!

You can’t hide when you’re home.
Family understands. That’s what makes coming home feel so right. For a good portion of my life, I compartmentalized my day to day and my life goals. I felt like two different persons. Not many people knew my wholeheartedness; they just knew the version of me that was present in their phase. But I was the one who ended up feeling incomplete. Don’t be ashamed to be honest of who you are and who you intend to be. Feel at home in your skin, no matter where you are.

Be a generous greeter.
Being a host is a generous undertaking, because you prep and prime to open your home to others. But, it’s also about cultivating an experience where guests feel comfortable enough to live in your space for a brief moment and to open their time to share it with you. Treat every person that you’re introduced to as a guest, just as you would in your home. Understand that it is an exchange and you can set the tone.

Give yourself an invitation.
As a host, you labor behind the scenes so the event can unfold seamlessly. But don’t forget to enjoy it, too. Unfold with it. Leave the details behind. You have arrived at this moment, now let go of the tension and join in the festivities.

Everyday life is a series of hosted celebrations. First you must feel at home, so you are naturally inclined to welcome others in to celebrate with you.

Diffuse

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill

It’s human instinct to react rather than to act.

Chiming in on someone’s frustration does not help. It’s natural to want to sympathize and share that frustration. But, you have the option to diffuse it. Let it end with you. Really, it’s a matter of looking at it as a challenge. You don’t have to see it as a threat that wants to consume you. If you approach challenges this way, you will find yourself with more peace.

Reacting with frustration will build emotional stress causing your body to release stress hormones that can create various physical reactions such as a fast heartbeat and dizziness. WebMD notes that this can lead to depression or even a heart attack.

The mind is the engine that fuels your body.  When you’re presented with a challenge, take a minute to use and build your analytical skills. Here are three easy steps I find most helpful:

Identify: Try to drill down to identify the issue.
Assess: Assess what are some other ways around the issue.
Act: Act on it to put it to bed.

Give yourself the credit you deserve and solve challenges. Don’t get buried beneath them.