How To Survive Christmas

The end of the year can be incredibly stressful. Christmas shopping, traffic, year end budgets, work parties, and uncomfortable family gatherings

A few years ago for Christmas I sat alone in small restaurant in Kathmandu, Nepal. It wasn’t my first Christmas abroad or even my first Christmas alone, but as I enjoyed my daal, spicy curry, naan bread, and Mt. Everest beer I was happy: I had my health, experienced the Himalayas for the first time, a simple Skype allowed me to wish my family in California a Merry Christmas, and I was grateful for the opportunity to travel.

It all seems so selfish, and it was. I’m not proclaiming the benefits of being self centered, but the opposite: give the gift of happiness by being happy yourself.

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Die Hard starring a young Bruce Willis as John McCain. McCain is a street tough NYPD policeman whose dedication to his job has driven his wife and children away to California.

For the holidays McCain visits his estranged family in LA and reluctantly attends his wife’s company Christmas party when a group of terrorists takes everyone hostage. Using his skills as a cop and all around badass he single handedly subdues the attackers and survives seemingly impossible odds to save his wife and other hostages.

McCain alone can save everyone. He stubbornly refuses to give in to the terrorists despite a list of injuries and beatings that would kill any mortal human. Even when it’s discovered that one of the hostages is his wife and the bad guys threaten to kill her he won’t surrender.

Only after he blows up most of the building, kills nearly everyone, and avoids a last minute attack on his life can McCain and his wife reconnect and enjoy Christmas as a loving family.

It seems a bit extreme, but like McCain there are many areas in life that can be compromised or difficult to balance. Having a focus on your personal happiness (or survival in McCain’s case) can spread to your relationships, work, and family.

Author and investor James Altucher has created and lost millions, lived dubiously, and hit absolute rock bottom. He now decides to “Choose Himself” and it has made all the difference in his health, relationships, and career.

Altucher focuses on being happy. The key is a daily practice with a concentration on 4 crucial areas:

1. Physical — Sleep well. Eat Well. Exercise
2. Emotional — Surround yourself with people who love you. Ignore those that don’t
3. Mental — Be intellectually stimulated
4. Spiritual — Complaining is draining. Be grateful for at least one new thing

The result of this practice has taken Altucher and countless others of his readers from despair to a better understanding of themselves and a greater appreciation of their surroundings.

Like Die Hard it wasn’t until McCain was forced to evaluate what was important before he became better. His physical toughness, relationship with his wife and other police officer's, quick thinking, and smile in the face of danger helped him to prevail over the terrorists.

This Christmas I am again abroad over the holidays. The last six months of regular exercise has left me feeling great. I’m sharing dinner with some of my best friends in Japan. Writing this newsletter has allowed me to grow creatively. I am grateful to have a lifestyle that is rarely boring.

If the holiday season has stressed you out or if this last year left you feeling depressed take a moment to focus on being happy. It doesn’t need to be life changing or complicated.

How do you feel physically? — Take a nap. Go for a short walk.
Who are you with? — Smile at your loved one. Give a family member or friend a call
Do you feel creative? — Learn a new way to wrap a gift. Listen to a new podcast or Soundcloud playlist
What are you grateful for? — There’s always something.

If all else fails, grab a blanket, melt into the couch, and watch Die Hard. Afterall, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas unless you watch it at least once.

Kampai!

Winter has arrived to Japan despite an unusually warm start (thanks El Nino!). I will be sharing some in depth guides and travel tips to exploring the country’s legendary snow country and the amazing Japanese winter cuisine. Be sure to join the newsletter here and share below with any powder-hunter interested in scoring or foodie with a special place in their heart for Japan