Christmas
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What happens when you “pay it forward”
“You can get everything in life you want — if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” ~Zig Ziglar Yesterday I wrote about the economics of holiday spending and the real meaning of generosity. Throughout the day, which happened to be Giving Tuesday, I also thought about the phrase “paying it forward.” To pay it forward means you remember your own good fortune and help someone else (sometimes anonymously) without expecting something in return. It’s a different kind of reciprocation. I’ve learned over the years that whenever I share what I have with others, my life magically improves, too. Of course, it’s harder to be generous…
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The real measure of generosity
“A life is not measured by what we do or what we give, but by who we are … The impact we’ve had on the lives around us could be felt for decades. How present am I with the people in my life? Am I able to take responsibility for the actions that hurt others? Do I want to be right or can I choose to be thoughtful and kind?” ~Cheryl Richardson Most of us equate “generosity” with lavish gifting — especially this time of year. As I type this, economists are tracking and comparing annual statistics on holiday spending, including the types of purchases we make and how much money…
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Redefining “family”
“Family was a bigger word than I imagined, wide and without limitations, if you allowed it, defying easy definition. You had family that was supposed to be family and wasn’t, family that wasn’t family but was….It was possible to lack whole, honest love and connection from family in lead roles, yet to be filled to abundance by the unexpected supporting players.” ~Deb Colette, The Secret Life of Prince Charming The holiday season begins soon, shining a bright light on our family relationships. Sometimes that’s a beautiful thing, and sometimes it’s … complicated. (In another post, I’ve shared a column about coping with the loss of loved ones during the holidays.) Culturally…
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Merry Christmas to all
“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” ~Joseph Campbell I’m wishing everyone moments of joy — and plenty of loving, supportive people to cherish and celebrate this season. Our future is full of question marks, but together we can weather what lies ahead. Here’s to peace in the world and peace within each of us in the coming year! ~CL
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Thoughts for last-minute holiday shopping
“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (This feature article was originally published 11/11/22 in The Sunday Oakland Press and online here.) Gift-giving can be as emotionally loaded as it is enjoyable — especially as we approach the Christmas season. As psychologists and etiquette experts agree, the stress of buying and exchanging gifts can dull our holiday sparkle if we don’t plan ahead. “Some people may feel social pressures to give gifts, but not in the same spirit as others,” says Irene S. Levine, PhD, psychologist and co-author of The Rules of Friendship. “If someone is depressed, for example, it…
