The yuletide season is often called the season of love. But the word “season” connotes a special period of time, where there is a beginning and an end.

 

Love, by and large, is meant to be endless, limitless. Expansive and unconfined, it should not be just for a time period, but for always.

 

Thus, let us all begin to expand this to a seasonless state of being.

 

Begin with the self

 

No narcissism involved here. The self, you, must be filled to the brim with love. Loving family, friends, your community and country—they are all recipients of your boundless love. But is there enough inside you to give?

 

Here’s a “love-me” checklist. Find out if you made the passing grade.

 

Kindness

 

I am kind to myself by not being a workaholic, not bringing work to my home, taking Sunday seriously as a day of rest, not overreaching when it comes to work or personal goals, not driving myself too hard.

 

Awareness

 

I am aware of my drives, passions and ambitions, strengths and weaknesses.

 

I am conscious of my thoughts—whether positive or negative, and endeavor to prevent the negative from affecting my positive attitudes and prospects.

 

I am aware of my actions and their effect on others—whether positive or negative. And I consciously try to overcome any negative actions I may impulsively initiate.

 

Forgiveness

 

I forgive myself for not living up to my expectations, for not becoming or achieving my parents’ dreams for me.

 

I forgive others for hurting, oppressing, abusing me in any form or manner.

 

Unloading

 

I am releasing all my inner demons—my rage, anger, bitterness, jealousies that I have kept contained in my heart and mind.

 

I am letting go of my pain and all the hurts and disappointments I have experienced from my past relationships—whether personal or professional.

 

I am replacing the feelings of failure I have experienced in the past with expectations of triumph.

 

I am healing the emotional and spiritual scars in my heart, mind and soul by declaring them gone.

 

I am replacing my feelings of unworthiness and inadequacies with affirmations of completeness and wholeness.

 

I am removing the word “imperfect” with “perfect” in my personal vocabulary.

 

Recharging

 

I am reintroducing wellness into my life.

 

I am going to embark on a healthy lifestyle by eating and drinking nutritious foods and beverages; exercising daily; taking my supplements regularly; having a yearly medical checkup; balancing my work and relax/play time.

 

Reminiscing

 

I will look back at the times in my life when I was happiest, not saddest.

 

I will draw strength from the good things in my life and not the bad.

 

I will pick up the lessons from my past to ensure that I do not repeat the negative patterns in the future.

 

I will be inspired by my growth from innocence to wisdom.

 

Rewarding

 

I will reward myself for just being me.

 

I will pamper myself at least once a week, whether it’s a visit to the salon or spa.

 

I will laugh daily—by myself through laughter yoga or with my friends.

 

I will learn to relax and take my time in all I do, believing in the principle that “haste makes waste.”

 

I will learn to take an extra and long breath each day. No more just simply catching my breath, but breathing calmly and deeply.

 

I will make my life’s bucket list and fill it up with all that I want to happen for myself and achieve in my life. The sky is the limit, therefore, I will write down all of my dreams big and small.

 

Deserving

 

I am deserving of the best that life can offer, therefore there is no second best for me from now on—only God’s best.

 

Christmas affirmation: “The best of Christmas is mine.”

 

Love and light!