Have a message for Karena? She'd love to hear from you and share your comment or question on air!Leave Karena a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/KarenaDawnWhat if the holiday season could be about joy and connection instead of stress and obligation?In this timely episode of The Big Silence, Karena welcomes back spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster Monica Berg for a conversation we all need before the holidays. From managing difficult family dynamics to preparing your mind and heart for gatherings, Monica shares practical wisdom on how to show up with presence, set boundaries, and actually enjoy the season. Whether you're dreading a particular family member, feeling financial pressure, or just want to navigate the holidays with more peace, this episode will help you shift your mindset and reclaim your power. It's about being proactive, not reactive—and choosing to be the light in any room.How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for family gatherings and show up with gratitude instead of anxiety?True holiday peace comes from taking responsibility for your own state of mind and choosing to be a being of sharing rather than lack.(00:00) Revisiting Past Conversations & How We've ChangedMonica returns three years after her first appearance (episode 25)How relationships evolve and why revisiting old conversations reveals growthThe importance of being in different environments to recognize changeAn essential holiday conversation about family dynamics(02:00) The Pressure of the Holidays & Society's "Shoulds"Why certain times of year create unrealistic expectations for happinessThe pressure to be joyful and how that can sabotage gatheringsMonica's story about feeling the weight of seasonal expectationsRecognizing that every day can be meaningful, not just holidays(03:00) Should You Even Go? When to Skip the GatheringMonica's honest take: if you hate going, maybe you shouldn't attendHow negative energy affects everyone in the roomThe responsibility of getting your consciousness right before showing upWhy forcing it doesn't work(04:30) Identifying Your Triggers & Preparing for Difficult ConversationsWhat to do when you're dreading the holidays but still want to attendIdentifying the source of your anxietyPreparing responses ahead of time for intrusive questionsRedirecting conversations and setting boundaries with graceHow to say "I'm not comfortable discussing that right now" with confidence(05:30) The Morning Routine That Changes EverythingHow to mentally prepare yourself before walking into a family gatheringAwakening gratitude by imagining what the day would look like if you were aloneDoing things you love in the morning to release stress and awaken joyShowing up with intention rather than worryGoing in with a plan for the conversations you want to have(07:50) Being Proactive vs. Reactive in Family SettingsUnderstanding the difference between reactive and proactive behaviorWhy reactive people bring chaos, while proactive people create peaceTaking charge of your own thoughts and emotionsHonoring your power instead of giving it away to others' opinions(25:00) Beyond Holiday Gatherings: Tips for All of LifeHow these tools apply to any stressful situation—meetings, dinner parties, etc.Addressing financial anxiety around