Holidays
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The heart of the matter
“When you love someone, you love the whole person as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be.” ~Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina Most of us idealized love when we were young. If we were raised on fairy tales, for instance, we imagined marrying the perfect partner and living happily ever after. At the same time, we also held our friends and family members to impossibly high standards, and were disappointed when they didn’t behave like the best friends or families portrayed on TV sitcoms. As we mature, we discover that real love isn’t always picture-perfect; sometimes it gets as messy or as complicated as real…
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Room for potential
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman, American journalist Last week I read an article suggesting that we consider renaming our New Year’s resolutions “intentions” — and to forgive ourselves if we fall short of our goals later on. But I think Ellen Goodman has a better spin on the whole resolution thing. Instead of simply correcting our bad habits or repairing our shortcomings, why not explore…
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Post-holiday musings
“Today is the day the post-holiday blues usually drop in for their annual visit. After any strenuous exertion, especially one that’s lasted several weeks, there’s a natural letdown in energy and enthusiasm.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance Like clockwork, holiday letdown almost always follows a festive series of events — no matter which winter holiday we celebrate. At the beginning of December, our energy runs high as we plan for parties and concerts, decorate our homes, and create special memories for loved ones. Our usual routines and responsibilities — even our worries — are temporarily suspended. Then the holiday arrives … and then it’s over … in a minute! We…
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Help for the holidays
“One of the most important ways to reduce stress is to ask for help. This works not only during the holidays, but also all year ’round.” – Dr. Daisy Sutherland It’s no secret that many folks find the Christmas season more stressful than fun. Some of us have trouble saying “no” when it comes to stuffing every moment in December with perpetual activity. We might wonder if “exhaustion” is a synonym for “Christmas spirit.” (Why must we squeeze everyone there is to see and everything there is to do into one cold month of the year?) This year, make a point of asking for help when you need it. Divide and…
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Abundance mentality
“People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose: There is only so much, and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for them. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality — and the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to — rather than detracts from — our lives.” ~Stephen R. Covey As Thanksgiving approaches, we’ll be seeing and hearing the word “abundance” more often. Years ago, when I first heard about “abundance mentality,” I assumed it was metaphysical nonsense. Thankfully, entrepreneurial…
