Words matter.

Words shape perceptions,  Perceptions shape intentions.  Intentions shape…just about everything.

So around this time of year, my attention begins to be drawn to the trope of surviving the holidays.  We hear and read about this pretty often–how to survive holiday parties, family gatherings, a busy season filled with events and festivities.

And let’s be honest, these guides to survival are usually aimed at what we are meant to be eating and drinking over the holiday season.  Less, usually.  Or more and then less because you ate more so you should probably eat less now, or something.  It’s hard to keep track.

Leaving aside the…peculiar notion of survival as nutritional deprivation, this always strikes me as a pretty rough way to treat yourself.  What are we surviving, really?

What if we flipped the script?

Thrive through the holidays.
Thrive with awesome food that makes you feel full and warm.
Thrive during awesome workouts powered by that great food.
Hell, thrive through a long winter’s nap after a delicious meal or night out.

What if we let the things we love to do–being with friends and family, eating well, moving with abandon, and resting at the right times–take us through this holiday season?

What if we thrived through this holiday season?