By Tina O’Conner

A quote to ponder: “We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present.” –Marianne Williamson.

One way to live fully in the present is understanding what our priorities are. Especially at this time of year, our priorities could get easily shifted.

My stepdaughter, Kelli, is doing a fantastic job raising two of my grandchildren. I was very impressed with how she handled Christmas gifts this year.

My six-year-old granddaughter and two-½-year-old grandson were asked to list “something I want, something I need, something to wear, and something to read.” They did great. She is doing this as a way to prioritize their value of what Christmas means to them.

Being able to prioritize is also a healthy tool for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. First, list all tasks that need to be accomplished. Remember, this tool can be used during our work day, every day at home, and especially during the holidays.

Second, prioritize what needs to be done. You could also use the above idea of what do I need to get done and what would I want to get done.

And third, be realistic about what can be accomplished during a certain period of time. This tool can also be a way to stay focused in staff meetings or individual meetings with a supervisor.

Keep in mind we are all allowed to determine our own priorities. What we value and prioritize is unique to each one of us. Your coworkers grew up differently than you; they may come from another part of the world, they have struggled differently than you. No worries.

The holidays are an amazing time we can all come together and find common ground. Take that deep breath, be who you need and want to be; and enjoy.