In order to be the centerpiece of your holiday you will need to bring out your finest self. How do you find your finest self when it is all covered up with to do's, shoulds, guilt, rushing around, unmet needs or your issue du jour? You have to do exactly the opposite of what the holiday season pulls for - you need to slow down. Slow down enough so that you can carve out 15 minutes a day to sit quietly with yourself and reflect on your real needs and wants.

I am not referring to your front shelf needs and wants. You know the ones that come up first like: "I want someone to take care of me" or "I want help with the holiday shopping". It's not that these needs and wants aren't important. They are very important, but I want you to drill down deep to get to your core needs and wants. Some examples of core needs and wants are; "I want a love-filled holiday season" or "I want to really connect with family and friends".

Write your core needs and wants down and put them in different places where you will see them frequently such as on your computer monitor, your bathroom mirror, your bedside table. When you see your list, say your needs and wants out loud and with meaning. This exercise will help coax out your finest self, and once your finest self starts to peek out and grow in confidence you'll find your front shelf needs and wants will be more likely met. It's kind of weird that it happens this way but it does.

You may be saying to yourself, "Well, this sounds great, but how will I ever find the time to carve out 15 minutes a day of quiet time just for me when there are so many demands?" It may help to think of it in this way: When you are physically ill and consult with a doctor she may prescribe medicine, which you need to take as directed. This medicine rids the body of the illness and restores your health. Consider this exercise a prescription for emotional well-being during the holiday season. Take as directed and experience a more serene holiday. Emotional well-being is as important as physical well-being.

Your prescription: Take 15 minutes of quiet time daily to reflect on your needs and wants. Write them down on a piece of paper and distribute freely around your personal space. Read them out loud frequently. Quiet time can be taken with or without tea.

Chris writes a blog and has a Web site. 734-669-7202