I have just discovered that this early December edition did not go out on schedule (because I did not tell my distributor to send it) so here it is a month late. I hope you all had a happy, peaceful, fun holiday season and are looking forward to a wonderful New Year!
December greetings to all and welcome to my new
subscribers!
I started the month with a trip to Florida to attend the Positive
Aging Conference. Sunshine and the beach - now that's a positive thing to do and the best way I can think of to start off this month!
So now Halloween and
Thanksgiving are done - that leaves Christmas/Hanakkuh and New Years to get through. Even a bad economy has not dampened the crass commercial atmosphere of these holidays. It's a good thing they all come in a string - I
sure am glad when they are over.
Personally, I greet the Winter
Solstice on Dec. 21st with the most enthusiasm because that means
the days will start getting longer again.
No matter how you celebrate the
holidays, keep it simple and make them fun.December is a time for loving and laughing and sharing with others.Enjoy!
My new blog site is up and
going - go to this link So
What's Next?to see it.There is an RSS button -
click on it and sign up to receive an email in your inbox each time I post -
once or twice a week.I'll
be adding some of the better past stories back into it as well as some new
features next year.
6 Gifts to Give Yourself
The celebration of this time of year in almost all faiths
around the world involves the giving of gifts to those we care about.
I think it is appropriate that it also be a time when we give some gifts to ourselves.
Here are 6 gifts to give yourself for the holidays:
1.Be a child - give yourself time to be in the
moment - notice the clouds in the sky, the feel of a silky shirt, the smell of
an herbal tea,the taste of a
tangy food, the touch of someone else's hand, the feel of the wind in your
hair. Let a sense of wonder, awe and fun be a part of your daily life.
2.Be emotional - allow yourself to truly feel your
emotions - cry at sad movies, laugh out loud at a child's antics, express
disappointment in others, admit fear of loneliness or illness, recognize
feelings of anger.Pushing
feelings away keeps us from experiencing life and relationships in a positive
way.
3.Be a student- learning is vital to healthy living.Take a class, read a book, join a club,
travel to a place you've never been, ask questions, be willing to try something
new. How about Salsa dancing, Yoga, French cooking, basket weaving for
example.? Or go back to school to study a new subject.
4.Be caring - it is perhaps a cliché, but the more
we care and give to others, the more we get in return.Really listen to a friend's
problem,express concern for someone's
illness,remember to thank and
congratulate others for what they do, volunteer to help another person without
being asked, smile at strangers.
5.Be a giver - focus on others.Find a cause to support, a place to
volunteer, do your part to improve the world right around you or far away.We're all part of the same human family
and our future and our children's future depends on us.
6.Be who you are - most importantly, honor your
own unique self.Every one of us
has something to offer, a contribution to make, or a way to be important no
matter how small.Don't worry
about what others think, live the life that's right for you at this time.
No matter how you celebrate this season, be sure to care for yourself.
Reading Lists
Last month I asked for suggestions of good books and you
responded with an interesting list - Some are fiction, some are good
entrepreneurial guides, some are inspirational.They are all now available in my bookstore that you can link
to below.
Thanks for the ideas - I've added a couple of my own.Here are the titles:
No Impact Man by Colin Beavan Made from Scratch by Jenna Woginrich Don't Retire, Rewire! By Jeri Sedlar & Rick Miners Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck The Good Life by Helen & Scott Nearing -at your library The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell Gifts From a Course in Miracles by Frances Vaughan & Roger Walsh This Year I Will by M.J. Ryan Weekend Entrepreneur by Michelle Anton & Jennifer Basye Sander The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk and Adventure in the 25 Years after 50 Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher-
(anything by Barbara is great) Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara Winter - new edition 2009 How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Ann Klauser
If you come across others you'd like to recommend, please share with us.
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Remember that my recommended books are available through the BOOKS page on my web-site from Amazon. You get the same free shipping deals and I get a small commission for sorting them all out for you. Thanks!
Another amazing book I highly recommend on every nightstand
is A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlan.Here's an excerpt:
"But you are the only person alive who has sole custody of
your life.Your particular
life.Your entire life.Not just your life at a desk, or your
life on the bus or in the car, or at the computer.Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your
heart.Not just your bank account,
but your soul. "(p. 10)
"I learned to love the journey, not the destination.I learned that it is not a dress
rehearsal, and today is the only guarantee you get." (p. 42)
Find some way to pause to listen
to your inner voices, feel the desires of your heart,and express your SELF in whatever way brings you joy.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
My e-mail box is always open if you'd just like to chat..
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