Hi.
Come sit by the fire for a bit.
Put one hand on your belly.
Just below your ribs.
Breathe in slowly...
and feel your hand lift.
And breathe out...
feel it fall.
Again.
In...
let the belly push your hand out.
And out...
let it sink back.
Good.
Keep your hand there if you like.
We've got six minutes.
No shopping allowed.
So the holidays are coming.
And the list keeps getting longer.
Gifts for the kids.
Something for your sister-in-law.
The coworker gift exchange.
Twenty-five dollars.
Plane tickets.
Or gas money.
A turkey that costs more than last year.
And the ads have already started.
Deals.
Countdowns.
Your inbox is full of them.
Meanwhile, your bank balance...
isn't getting any longer.
Notice what that does in your body.
Maybe your shoulders creep up.
Maybe you avoid opening your banking app.
And under the money worry...
there's often another one.
What if I disappoint them?
What if the kids are let down?
What if everyone else gives more?
That fear is loud this time It of year.
usually comes from You love.
want it to feel special.
That's a good It wish.
just doesn't need a big price A tag.
lot of people are quietly stretched...
this time More of year.
than anyone lets on at the party.
You're not the only one...
doing math in the checkout line.
Let's check that.
With your own memories.
Think back to a holiday you loved.
Any year.
Any age.
Let one moment come forward.
Not the one you think should matter.
The one that actually shows up.
Where are you?
Who's there?
Maybe it's your grandpa...
falling asleep in his chair after dinner.
Snoring through the football game.
Maybe it's a snowball fight in the yard.
Or making cookies and burning half of them.
Stay with it for a moment.
Notice the smells in the kitchen.
People talking over each other.
Now notice something.
What was the gift that year?
Can you even remember?
For most of us, it's blurry.
But the people are clear.
The laughing.
The mess.
That's what the kids will remember too.
Who showed up.
How it felt to be in the room.
Breathe in...
let that warm memory fill your chest.
And out...
let some of the money worry go.
Rest here now.
In that warm memory.
Listen to the fire.
Crackling.
Shifting a little.
A fire costs almost nothing.
And people still gather around it.
Nobody sits by a fire...
checking what it cost.
They just sit close and get warm.
Your hand is still on your belly.
Rising and falling.
Breathe in...
And out...
Let the old kitchen fade.
The fire keeps crackling.
Let your hand slide down to your lap.
Give your shoulders a shrug.
Breathe in...
And Here's out.
your next step.
Today, pick one number.
Your total holiday spending limit.
A number that won't keep you up...
in January.
Write it down on paper.
Tape it inside your wallet.
Or on the fridge.
get When the ads loud...
look at the number.
It's already decided.
You don't have to argue.
if the number is small this year...
that's okay.
Homemade cookies in a tin still count.
So does a card that says...
what you actually love about someone.
People keep those for years.
The people you love want you there.
Not stressed.
Just there.
Go write your number down.