Keeping it Simple this Season
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with it! This is the time when we are most tempted to overdo things - shopping, partying, spending.
This year?why not practice the art of simplicity and serenity? Begin a new tradition or fine tune an old one. Think 'less is more'? quality over quantity.
Remember that this is a time to celebrate love, connection, tradition and new beginnings. Make this a holiday season to remember and cherish. Pay attention to what really matters this time of the year and always? your family and friends, your health and well-being, your connection to the divinity of a universal spirit who gave us a holiday season just so we could help ourselves to platefuls of joy and love.
Q. I love this idea! But how do I get started on creating a new tradition?
A. Make a list of your most deeply felt intentions for the season. A better relationship with family? A chance to enjoy a holiday without stress and conflict? The willingness to take in the generosity of others? Light a candle daily. Choose a sophisticated blend of freshly cut balsam, frankincense, spiced cranberry and orange reminiscent of the season or one that evokes a calm and meditative state ? a relaxing, soothing scent of peppermint, verbena and lavender. As you light the candle ask for the presence of mind to keep these intentions in mind during the season and all year long.
Q. I always spend more money than I intend and yet still feel that somehow I missed getting the ideal gift.
A. Set a budget and track your spending. This doesn't sound like much fun but when you determine exactly how much you want to spend and then actually spend just that amount, this will be the best holiday you ever had!
Sometimes we need to remember to shop with our heart and soul, to use a kind of intuition or 'gut' wisdom to choose a gift. Narrow your shopping field to one store or product. Think quality vs. quantity. If your gift-giving follows this intention, you can't go wrong. Your choices will be in tune with the person you want to please while naturally keeping to the budget you set for yourself.
Q. I have so much to do this time of the year I miss out on all the 'cheer'.
A. Perhaps pass up a party and go shopping instead. Make shopping a social activity. Stop for a coffee or tea. Reminisce about holidays past. Wander and chat, admire the window displays, the mall decorations, and the twinkling lights. If you long for the romance and simplicity of holidays long ago, step back in time. Just the lingering scents and beauty of the season will inspire a festive and relaxing mood.
Q. Since my family lives far away and my children are grown I am having a hard time finding joy in this holiday season.
A. Transitions are never easy. We want to get them over with as soon as possible yet this, interestingly enough, only prolongs them. Consider instead appreciating where you are right now. Practice being ok with the sadness or grief that comes with losing the routines of the past. Do not resist the pain. While pain is a natural part of life ? suffering is not. And suffering comes when we resist the natural pain of life. Be gentle with yourself. Hold yourself with kind regard. Pamper yourself with the sanctuary of a bath. The combination of delicate scents and warm water are soothing, nurturing and relaxing. When you are relaxed and refreshed, your new holiday season traditions will flow more easily.
Q. I can't just sit still when there's so much to do ? yet I long to do just that! Help!
A. Yes, many women are so accomplished at 'doing' and 'striving' that we neglect the part of us that wants to 'receive', to take it all in and be still for a time. While taking up such practices as meditation during the holidays might be too much of a challenge consider finding just a minute or two to stare at a snowfall, take in the tree lights, meditate on the Menorah, agree with the angels and pray for peace.
For those who are especially challenged by sitting still, consider sitting still AND doing something at the same time! Watch all those corny holiday specials. Yes, even the cartoons, the original version of Miracle on 34th Street, and the classic It's a Wonderful Life. Be open to their simple but timeless message and let them warm you all over. And resist doing anything else while you watch the show!
Q. Every year I say I'm going to take time off from work for the holidays and every year I don't.
A. Explore why you stay at work. Do you fear all hell will break out if you take a day off? That no one can possibly cover for you? That you will worry all day about the job so what is the point of taking a day off? Generally these beliefs are not accurate or are based on a black and white perspective that has us convinced that something so terrible will happen if we are not at work and we will NEVER recover from it. Ask yourself, "Is this true?" Yes, you are in all likelihood the best woman for the job and yes, something could go wrong but will it DEFINITELY be a disaster? Not likely. Observe when you are in an all-or-nothing, always-and-never, black-and-white-perspective and ask: Is this true? It can change your life over night!
So take a risk and take some time off. Enjoy a day of baking cookies and sweets, making decorations, or doing a craft -- without fitting them in between work, chores, and shopping. Do one thing at a time. Meet the challenge of single tasking. The rewards are immeasurable.
Q. It is so hard to celebrate with some of the bad things going on in the world.
A. We live in a time of incredible mass communication. But we have choices. Limit all news especially bad news. Watch a half-hour of news instead of 8 hours of CNN. Scan the newspapers and magazines headlines and read only what makes you feel good as well as informed. Acknowledge your fears for the future, find the courage in the peace and warmth of the season, and make a decision to celebrate in a bold and determined way!
Q. I love choosing my holiday cards ? picking out just the right ones and sitting down with a cup of tea and cookies to write them out. But each year this becomes less of a pleasure and more of a pain.
A. Consider limiting your card list so you can still enjoy the ceremony and ritual of this tradition within the context of your realistic schedule. Break it into 3 lists:
List 1 - Write an old-fashioned, put-a-stamp-on-it letter to those you are especially missing this time of the year. Use some festive paper, a favorite writing tool and your best penmanship.
List 2 - Send cards to those who live far away to tell them you are thinking of them. Be discriminating. Do not include the people you hear from once in a blue moon and resist the compulsion to send a card to someone JUST because they sent you one.
List 3: Send everyone else a lovely email greeting.
Q. While I like the holidays I have a difficult time with the dark days and cold weather winter. I am more of a 'summer' person and this time of the year makes me long for the dog days of summer!
A. You are not alone. Many of us are warm weather, sun worshipers. Here's where you need your imagination and some help. Create a summer sanctuary stash with fragrance such as Crab Tree and Evelyn's Summer Hill productsl! Surround you and your home with the scent of summer evoking the memory of peach blossoms and bouquets of summer lilies, wildflowers and tuberose.
Q. This all sounds so good but is it realistic to have the kind of holiday I really, really want?
A. YES. It is all about choices ? your underutilized super power! Start with scrutinizing your schedule. Ask yourself, "Is this activity obligation or choice?" If you come up with too many "obligation" answers, re-think your priorities. Set firm boundaries about what you willingly want to do and do just those things. It will be difficult at first but once you reap the rewards of an ideal holiday you will be motivated to use your powers of choice all the time!
Q. I want to find a way to let my spiritual self guide the holidays in a comfortable way.
A. Consider saying grace at mealtime. It doesn't have to be elaborate, formal or long. Just express your gratitude for the meal before you, the people with you and the good fortune to enjoy both. Oh and don't forget to acknowledge your good sense to stop and smell the roses or the holiday turkey!
About The Author
Merci Miglino is well qualified to help you take the next step to accomplish what you want in your professional and personal life. Merci was educated as a teacher and worked as a journalist, paralegal, communications director and campaign manager. She has also been on the front lines of the retail, hospitality and advertising industries. Armed with this background Merci is a noted speaker, trainer and career coach. She is also a facilitator of the Personal CatalystTM , a unique, web-based life and career design tool that inspires extraordinary achievement. As if that were not enough, she has written a book, From Doormat to DivaŠ Taking Center Stage in your life. This woman knows success, personally and professionally, and she knows how to help you find it too.
 Google News Updated : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:49:35 GMT Where Angels go...heartbreak follows - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun - If you didn't stay up to watch, the Angels came back from a 2-0 deficit last night and had the go-ahead run on third base with one out in the top of the ninth, only to have the situation blow up in their faces when manager Mike Scioscia (right) called ... Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic Angels seething after being squeezed out Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:42:08 GMT Fed creates commercial paper-buying facility - Reuters
Reuters - By Mark Felsenthal and Glenn Somerville WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday announced it would create a special-purpose facility, with the Treasury Department's blessing, to begin buying commercial paper in yet another emergency move ... Euro, Dollar Gain on Fed Move Fed to Purchase US Commercial Paper to Ease Crunch (Update1) Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:17:04 GMT Pentagon denies US jet forced to land in Iran - guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk - The Pentagon today denied a report that a US plane had been forced to land in Iranian territory. Iran's Fars news agency claimed that five US officials were questioned and released by the Iranian authorities after the plane they were flying in ... Iran says it forced down Western plane Iran says US plane violated Iran's airspace Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:12:58 GMT McCain aims to slow Obama momentum in debate - Reuters
Reuters - By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent NASHVILLE (Reuters) - Republican John McCain hopes to halt Democrat Barack Obama's momentum and gain new life in the White House race on Tuesday when the presidential rivals meet in their second debate. A little word makes big waves on campaign trail Tonight's debate is in McCain's favorite style Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:57:52 GMT Nobel Prize awarded for AIDS, cervical cancer research - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Luc Montagnier dedicated his award to AIDS sufferers and predicted results on a "therapeutic vaccine" for the pandemic within four years. 2 AIDS researchers receive Nobel Prize Three Europeans win the 2008 Nobel for medicine Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:01:27 GMT US, Britain, and UN weigh options amid rising violence in ... - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor - By David Montero Against the backdrop of a string of suicide bombings in Pakistan, British, American, and United Nations officials are grappling with the idea of a negotiated settlement with the Taliban. UPDATE 1-Afghan govt denies Saudi meeting was peace talks Afghan official: no talks held with Taliban Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:09:17 GMT The Ike Whitaker Saga - Washington Post
Washington Post - In case anyone missed Zach Berman's story in today's paper, Ike Whitaker appears to be done at Virginia Tech. I raise the story in this forum because Whitaker chose Virginia Tech over Maryland amid the usual fanfare that accompanies a top-level recruit ... Va. Tech WR Whitaker faces misdemeanor charges More alcohol woes for Tech wide receiver Whitaker Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:08:42 GMT More Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More Hasn't time flown? Only six weeks to Christmas!Now you may... Read More Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More Is there any party more delightful than sweet 16? If... Read More The Holiday Season can be a wonderful time of year,... Read More How many times have you heard a friend say about... Read More Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to... Read More You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn... Read More For most people, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer,... Read More First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More Another Mother's Day is upon us. A day in which... Read More Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that... Read More Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More If you're looking for ways to decorate your home in... Read More No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or... Read More When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More As we enter into the month of November my thoughts... Read More I love this time of year -- decorations on the... Read More Originally this was going to be a list for my... Read More Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine... Read More Mother's Day, Do you know what you're giving the woman... Read More The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love... Read More
Adsense
websites
How Santa Makes Out His Christmas List
Get Organised for Christmas... NOW!
Birthday Flowers
Sweet 16th Birthday Party Ideas
How to Overcome the Overwhelm of the Holiday Season (And Reduce Holiday Stress)
Making Mother?s Day Special
Nicely Designed Pillows As Gifts
Valentines Day Love Letter - The Best And Most Romantic Gift Is Also The Least Expensive!
30th Birthday Gift Ideas
50 Ways to Acknowledge Your Employees Before and After Labor Day
SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 1 of 2 Parts
Celebrating the ME in MumME
Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - 7 Proven Winners
Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!
Glorious Holiday Decorating: Ten Tips
Birthday Gift Baskets ? The Ideal Gift For Everyone!
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Greeting Card Tango: How To Impress, Not Stress, During The Holidays
Set the Mood- Halloween Decoration Ideas
Cornucopia Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day
Creating Your Own Holiday Traditions
15 Ways to Create Some Extra Holiday Money
Valentines Day Flowers
Mothers Day, Do You Know What Youre Giving The Woman Who Gave You Life?
Lets NOT Talk Turkey
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Importance of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.Oh, sure,... Read More
Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More
10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More
7 Tips For Defusing Holiday Stress
KNOW THYSELFThe first key to creating a peaceful holiday season... Read More
A Mothers Keepsake
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More
How Parents Can Win the Battle To Keep Your Child Safe From Strangers This Holiday Season
When we think of Holiday shopping, we think of all... Read More
A Thankful Thanksgiving
You may be wondering why I would call this article... Read More
Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Rooms Natural Focal Point an Easter Look
Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter... Read More
Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn?t The Same Without Santa Claus!
Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More
Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!
Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First... Read More
Birthday Gift Guide
A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
What Causes Holiday Stress?
The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration... Read More
Gift Shopping Tips for Tight Budgets
Have you seen the prices of greeting cards lately? It... Read More
The Origins of Mothers Day
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
Saving Money on a Holiday
Going on a family vacation can be considerably more expensive... Read More
Create Warm Memories with Holiday Traditions
I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More
Is Buying a Gift for Mom as Difficult for You as it is for Me?
I have walked through a countless number of stores searching... Read More
Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!
Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More
Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More
Mothers Day Gift Ideas
Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More
Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine?s Day - For Men in Relationships
Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get... Read More
Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Century
As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More
Simplify the Season
Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More
Easy Gift Ideas For Dad On Fathers Day
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
Make Every Day a Mothers Day!
The word mother and mothers day are simple, yet powerful... Read More
Holiday |