cg December

Hello, December!

- - First things first - if you are a digital gal, get your documents here - -

* Download your December Workshop digital notebook HERE

* Download your December meditation calendar HERE

* Download your December moon intentions worksheet HERE

See the beauty in everything, but begin with yourself. This is a magical time of the year when we get to celebrate all that we did — and share it all with so many people in so many different pockets of our lives. But do you take the time to celebrate with yourself? Would you be open to the idea of a one-on-one celebration? I chose this subject for this month because I believe that taking care of yourself can actually enhance your holiday experience, the idea being that you can't give from an empty cup. So much goes on these days and goes so quick, we don't even care to take a minute to check in with ourselves, how we feel and what we need. And then all the heavy emotions of "this happened" or "that hurt" are all piled up to be dealt with in January when we should be refreshed and ready to take over the world again!

This holiday, let's bring the magic to all of our events by truly honoring ourselves. This will not only make you even more radiant, but it will make others want to do the same - what a beautiful gift to give in this particular time. Be the lighthouse that shines bright, and shifts the world to be one. Self-love is the best gift you can ever give yourself!

I challenge you to devote this entire month to the concept of taking care of yourself. It is an alien concept to some of us - I am a recovering "people pleaser" myself, and I know it feels so strange to intentionally put yourself first, but it is so important. And if you are going to practice, what better time than the holidays?!

Placing your needs at the same level as everyone else is key. If you are a people-pleaser or tend to put everyone's needs before yours if is definitely going to feel strange - but oh! so good! Don't be thrown away by peoples reactions, when you have been a certain way for so many years and then people see a change or shift on who they have to interact with, it is scary for them and their immediate reaction is to be defensive or angry, but that is not on you love, you are doing you for you. So let's get clear we are not taking any guilt trips or sassiness from anyone!

Thinking what it is you need, and when you need to say no might bring negative feelings. It might not feel like self-care, and sometimes it can feel a little selfish. But the reality is, it isn't selfish at all! It is important to express yourself, show your worth and honor yourself. You have priorities, and they are also very highly important! That you are making yourself feel good matters a lot.

Here is how we will focus on self-love. Self-love = self-care.
We will raise our awareness to ourselves and really be here for ourselves – just like you are there for everyone else... and for their pets! Let's love our body, our personality, our kind hearts; let's be happy with who and what we are and not expect more or less. Just be your beautiful self! Self-love is:

SELF CARE
Self-love just means devoting some time to you. Loving oneself! It is so easy to think about everything we need to do and get done and accomplish — all the people we need to take care of — but what about us? What do you need to do to take care of you? What makes you happy? Take a walk, take a bath, start our meditation, take time for tea and friends, Netflix, manicure, massages, cooking? Do any of these sound incredible? Commit to a radical act of self-care this month.

31 days of self-care! Download me!

SELF ACCEPTANCE

You are perfect just the way you are. Let's embrace our bodies, the colors of our hair, our tones of voices; let's accept ourselves and be proud of who we are. When you embrace who you are, you expand to allow more good things into your life.

SELF COMPASSION
Talk to your self – don't be scared! What have you accomplished? What have you done? You are great, and you're pushing yourself and doing more each and every day. And you can do this! Self-compassion is a way of relating to yourself that doesn't involve harshly judging or punishing yourself for every mistake you make... or every time someone does something better than you.

More self-compassion blog post

SELF CONFIDENCE
Harness your confidence and authenticity. Don't try to be someone else... but to be truly confident, release the whatever is blocking who you are truly are. Live with purpose and follow your dreams. What are you truly all about? Can you own your power and make an impact in your own way? What makes you, you? Where are you happy?

This is my truth! When you write it kinda becomes real: Download me!

We have not been taught to love ourselves, and if anything, that is the most important love! Let's open our hearts and direct the attention where it needs to go. It's a busy time of the year — I get it — but can you spare 17 minutes for yourself in 24 hours? This meditation will totally change you from the inside out. It will give you self-consciousness, self-experience, self-love... and then you can love everybody. Become whole.

Commit to it, commit to you. Use our December calendar and put a check on every day you gave yourself time for you. Be kind to yourself — it's OK to miss. It isn't a competition, it's just self-care.

Download your meditation calendar here

Through meditation, we are able to clear the mind by allowing all the emotions and commotions to settle down and what truly is to come forward for us to see, for us to recognize our true nature. These three Kundalini practices passed by Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga, will help you release conscious and subconscious fears that cause you any sorts of blockages. This beautiful meditation can be done for 3, 11 or 31 minutes — any time, any place.

Share with the community how's it going. Have you ever taken the time to breathe and do a meditation on a daily basis? How does it feel? Can't wait to hear how these three beautiful practices are serving you.

Write Yourself a Letter: Have you ever done this? Take the perspective of a compassionate friend and imagine that you are this other person. What would a compassionate and kind friend say to you right now? What would their words be? This is a good way to be the witness and see all the beautiful things you are. It's a good exercise to do from time to time. ;)

GOOD READS:

- The Happiness Track (HarperOne) by Emma Seppala: for more on self-compassion and how it improves happiness, health and success, check this out; now available in paperback.

- Return to Love by Marianne Williamson: the most beautiful book to help you come to understand self-love and love for others. She takes you on a universal journey perfect for this time of the year!

- The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer: this book will show you the way to the voice in your head. Is it a kind one? Is this you? Who are you? It's a must-read (and must-gift)!
TECH:
Touch Note App: Send postcards after all the memory-making and sharing you will be doing this month!
VISUALIZATION:
There’s a different kind of visualization you can do for self-love. It’s centered on the fact that your muscles are in constant communication with your brain. Connect with your body visualization

Hey, fam! Share the love with a special 20% off deal just for you! Let's teach your loved ones how good it is to take care of ourselves! Valid until Dec. 31st, 2018.

CODE: cgmdecember2018

As all good things are to be shared, please share with us your Collective Grace experience! Use our hashtag #collectivegrace or tag us @shopLUCIANA . Can’t wait to see how you are growing and expanding. Congrats on committing and doing this important work.