WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays| No Comments »
WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?
by Lorri V. Allen, Speaker, Author
My husband-to-be had a bleak view of church when we first met. His overriding memory of Sunday school was being punished at age three for coloring Jesus purple.
What the teacher saw as disrespect was more likely a foreshadow of Mark’s artistic talent. Do you think Jesus minded being purple? I don’t. Every culture depicts Jesus a little differently. I have seen fair-skinned, blue-eyed Jesuses (or is it Jesi?), black ones, Asian ones, and in my friend Ellen’s nativity scenes from Mexico, a beautiful brown-eyed, toasty-skinned baby Jesus.
In reality, Jesus probably sported a swarthy complexion, with dark eyes and black hair, like many of the Middle Easterners we see today. But what is more important than color is size. There is no doubt Jesus was an infant. So, next time you see a child, think about Jesus, and how much he loved us to become a baby that burped and spit up. Think about how he might have said his first words or taken his first step.
The color of Jesus’ skin doesn’t matter because if he lives in our hearts, he does look just like we do.
By the way, Mark still isn’t exactly wild about Sunday school, but he likes purple. Best of all, he loves Jesus!
Reprinted from the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book, by Sheryl L. Roush
ORDER THE BOOK:
Bask in the glow of winter’s warmth. Celebrate the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales, original stories and poems, and quotations… Chapters include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year…
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book here.
ORDER THE MUSIC CD:
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS Music CD here.
VIEW OTHER BOOKS –AND MUSIC IN THIS SERIES:
Click on title to view each book.
Heart of a Woman (printed)
Heart of a Military Woman (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of a Mother (printed)
Heart of a Mother (printed with Bonus Music CD)
Heart of a Mother … Music CD
Heart of the Holidays (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of the Holidays … Music CD
Heart of a Woman in Business (printed)
Corazon de Mujer (printed) (Heart of a Woman in Spanish)
WINTER SOLSTICE
Heart of the Holidays, Holidays, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Reprinted from the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book, by Sheryl L. Roush
WINTER SOLSTICE
by Reverend Uki MacIsaac, MA
Winter Solstice is the time when the “sun stands still,” the shortest day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, days become shorter from June 21 on, until around December 21st, when the sun seems to rise and set in the same place for a while. Then slowly the sun begins its journey toward the south again, and the days grow longer until the peak of sunlight at the Summer Solstice.
The longest night of the year bears within itself the promise of the return of the light, the “rebirth” of the sun. Thus, the Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the darkness of the womb from which creation arises. We honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, the dark night of the soul and the rebirth of new hope and vision. When we move deeper into the darkness instead of avoiding it, we find the gifts the darkness holds. To some, that may mean moving into the shadow aspect of self. What needs to be released, to be brought into the light of our awareness? Even in our darkest moments we can find the seeds of growth and healing within.
The darkness of the long winter nights that culminate in the Winter Solstice is also a time to honor and celebrate the world of the unseen, of dreams, and of intuition. When we cannot see with our physical eyes, we learn to trust the inner vision, the power of insight and inner knowingness. The journey into the darkness prepares the way for celebration: in gratitude we rejoice in the return of the light, the promise of the sun/son lighting our path, the promise of new beginnings.
A Winter Solstice Meditation
Begin by taking a deep breath in and then exhaling slowly.
Relax as you release the breath.
With each breath you take, you move deeper into the silent space
within, into your inner world.
Imagine yourself now walking through a desert landscape at night.
The moon is not visible to light your path, and at first your steps are
unsure and tentative. The more you attune yourself to the silent
world around you, the more your senses begin to perceive details
along your path.
The desert air is clear and cold, fragrant with the aroma of sage.
Now you move with confidence, you can “see” with your inner eyes.
You are comfortable with the darkness that reveals its gifts:
You can hear sounds of life around you—what do you hear?
You see things you have not seen before—what do you see?
You trust your inner senses, your intuition guides you on your path.
Answers reveal themselves as you surrender to the power of the unseen.
You feel safe and protected.
A warm feeling starts to bubble up in your solar plexus.
The warmth spreads to your arms and legs, to your whole body.
A pleasant tingling sensation accompanies the warm glow that now
seems to emanate from your body, creating a field of pleasant
vibrating energy throughout and around you. The source of light
and warmth is within, always accessible, your internal sun.
You are equally comfortable with the dark as with the light.
You are balanced, in harmony with Mother Earth and Father Sky.
As you turn your eyes toward the night sky above you, a blanket of
brilliant stars illuminate the sky.
Gratitude washes over you as you open your heart to the beauty
of this sacred time and space.
A granite boulder offers a place to rest and relax.
Hours seem like minutes, a sense of timelessness prevails.
Yet, almost imperceptibly at first, you notice a change on the horizon.
The light of the stars begins to fade, and toward the east, the first light
of dawn colors the sky with shades of purple, pink, and orange.
Slowly the landscape around you reveals a new face of beauty and
harmony.
Soon the radiant disk of the sun appears and bathes the desert in its
warm glow.
You are reborn to this new day, and you greet it with joy and
gratitude.
You can trust the sacred circles of nature that offer new beginnings.
Bless the return of the light as you have blessed the womb of
darkness that preceded it.
With your next deep breath begin to bring your awareness back to the
here and now. Feel yourself grounded, balanced, and in harmony.
When you are ready, you may open your eyes, fully back in the here
and now, bringing with you the gifts of this sacred journey.
And so it is.
Thank You God.
ORDER THE BOOK:
Bask in the glow of winter’s warmth. Celebrate the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales, original stories and poems, and quotations… Chapters include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year…
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book here. KINDLE version
ORDER THE MUSIC CD:
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS Music CD here.
VIEW OTHER BOOKS –AND MUSIC IN THIS SERIES:
Click on title to view each book.
Heart of a Woman (printed)
Heart of a Military Woman (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of a Mother (printed)
Heart of a Mother (printed with Bonus Music CD)
Heart of a Mother … Music CD
Heart of the Holidays (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of the Holidays … Music CD
Heart of a Woman in Business (printed)
Corazon de Mujer (printed) (Heart of a Woman in Spanish)
Let Every Day Be Christmas
Christmas| No Comments »
Let Every Day Be Christmas
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself…
Norman Wesley Brooks
"Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976
Dec. 20 Sheryl Roush Book Signing Event at Borders
Book Signing Events| No Comments »Dec. 20 Sheryl Roush Book Signing Event at Borders
Heart Book Series Contributors
Signing & Reading Event
UNIQUE MULTI-AUTHOR EVENT!
Sheryl Roush and contributors to the Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Woman in Business, Heart of a Mother, Heart of the Holidays and Corazón de Mujer books will be autographing copies on Saturday, December 20 from 2:00-6:00pm at BORDERS bookstore in Eastlake of Chula Vista, San Diego County, California.
More than a book signing, contributors will READ THEIR original STORY or POEM to shoppers! Contributors present will include: Helen Blanchard, Dharlene Fahl-Brittian, Consuelo Sanchez, Adria Manary, Eldonna Lewis-Fernandez, Elisa Castaneda, Lanie Adamson, Lyn White, Michelle Burkart, Morgana Rae, Effie Horning, Michelle Weisser, and Sheryl’s mother Beverly Roush, joining series originator Sheryl Roush from San Diego. The group will be celebrating with dinner locally following the book signing event.
COME MEET THESE AUTHORS and have your books personally autographed!
Perfect for Holidays gifts!
BORDERS
Eastlake Chula Vista
878 Eastlake Parkway
Chula Vista, CA 91914
Store Phone: 619.482.9883
Radio Interview: Holiday Inspiration
Heart of the Holidays, Interviews| 1 Comment »
Radio Interview: Holiday Inspiration
INTERVIEW on BlogTalkRadio.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn, and Radio Show Hostess our “Our Wondrous World,” has casual conversation with business success dynamo and speaker Sheryl Roush, author of the Heart Book Series inspirational books, and Darlene Fahl-Brittian, tea-prayer-specialist, and contributor to the Heart of the Holidays book. They each share their feelings and traditions around the yuletide holidays.
Sheryl shares her favorites from the Heart of the Holidays, including:
“Family Circus Christmas” by Teri Hall
“Do You Believe?” inspired by Sheryl’s Australian niece, Alison
“Christmas Is…” by Christian poet Ginny Ellis
Darlene shares two of her sacred Tea Prayers,
“Festivi-Tea” and “Sereni-Tea.”
"You can change your life in the 10 minutes… all it takes to mindfully sip a cup of tea."
Helena, originally from Sweden, offers childhood memories growing up in Europe.
The hour-long program concludes with Sheryl offering Affirmations, with “Warmth From Within” piano music from the new Heart of the Holidays Music CD by Laurie Z.® (15-time Grammy award nominee considerations artist) playing in the background. Actor Jack Palance makes a guest appearance on the CD with "The Night Before Christmas."
HEAR THE INTERVIEW HERE:
http://sedonatalkradio.com/content/view/65/104
Heart of the Holidays features original short stories, poems, quotations and scriptures celebrating Yuletide Around the Globe, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Boxing Day, Military Abroad, and Ringing in the New Year’s.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER:
Purchase the Heart of the Holidays book with the Bonus Music CD ($19.95 US), before Christmas Day, and receive the eBook by Sheryl Roush, Sparkle-Tudes! Inspirational Quotations for Creating Sparkling Attitudes, emailed as a PDF to you for FREE. (Value $14.95) Order directly from www.SparklePresentations.com to receive this offer, with secure payment on-line through PayPal. Email Sheryl@SparklePresentations.com with autographing instructions.
Dr. Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn is ranked one of the world’s top four spiritual healing coaches. She is a top-rated inspirational motivational speaker and a leading authority in the field of spiritual personal transformation and healing of body and mind. Helena is the author of Constant Awakening. She has a way to reach your inner self without complicated rules and steps how to do it. Even during a motivational lecture, you’ll learn and be inspired by her exciting inspirational power-meditation techniques for clarity and added life success.
www.SpeakingToYourHeart.com
Listen to more radio interviews with Helena here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/SedonaTalkRadio/Helena
Darlene Fahl-Brittian .jpeg)
www.TakeUpTheCup.com
Sheryl Roush
www.HeartBookSeries.com
www.SparklePresentations.com
Quotations for Christmas & Hanukkah
Christmas, Quotations| No Comments »Quotations for Christmas & Hanukkah
To the American People:
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior
and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.
~Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), United States President
Presidential message (December 25, 1927)
Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.
~George Matthew Adams
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it "white."
~Bing Crosby
Our holiday traditions are about connecting with one another.
~Oprah Winfrey
My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?
~Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian
My Christmas wish is that we will continue to be thoughtful throughout the year.
~Patti LaBelle
At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light… At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.
~Rabbi Rafael Goldstein
If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.
~Tenzin Gyatso
Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.
~Marianne Williamson, Author of A Return To Love
The lights of the Hanukkah menorah that we kindle in our homes are a reminder both of the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem and the light that shines brightly within each one of us.
~Libi Astair
When a person is "being with" or "present in the moment" their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual "being-nesses" are in the same place at the same time.
~Brian Klemmer
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~Buddha
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
~Albert Schweitzer
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
~Roy L. Smith
Giving really starts to be better than receiving. I guess that’s a sign of growing up.
~Jewel
Home is familiar and filled with tradition. It’s aunts, uncles, cousins and lifelong friends.
~Brian Naylor
Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.
~Johnny Carson
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six.
Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.
~Shirley Temple
Once again, we come to the holiday season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.
~Dave Barry
There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.
~Erma Bombeck
It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one’s fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit.
~Isabel Currier
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)
Pastor, Speaker and Author
For Yuletide quotations, stories, poems, traditions and treasures, see the book Heart of the Holidays, by Sheryl Roush
Heart of the Holidays book is available only here with a BONUS MUSIC CD of Christmas and Hanukkah selections, by talented pianist Laurie Z., and beloved actor Jack Palance.
25 Ways To Say Thanks
Thanksgiving, Tips & Trivia| No Comments »25 Ways To Say Thanks
As I look back through the archives of "Living Wisely," I see that gratitude has been the theme of several of my articles around the holiday season. The old words seem to drum home the importance of being grateful for what
we have. This year, in the face of financial crises and the loss of veritable institutions that we’ve relied on for employment it may be more important than ever to find a silver lining in order to endure. In a time when our feelings probably outweigh our ability to express them, I thought it might be helpful to explore some ways to say thanks and experience feeling grateful.
1. Say Thank-You with your eyes
Make more eye contact with people. Really connect with the gratitude for being alive by connecting with another human through their eyes.
2. Write a Thank-You note
Write a note that thanks someone for being in your life without them having done anything or given you anything recently.
3. Tell people what they mean to you
Do not let an opportunity go by to tell someone what they mean to you personally and/or professionally. Let people know how they make a difference in your life.
4. Perform a Random-Act-of-Kindness
Anonymously, do something outrageously kind or generous for someone else. Never tell.
5. Create a daily ritual that expresses gratitude
List five things a day you are grateful for, light a candle, say a prayer, tell someone you love them, send out a daily email to your closest buds. Come up with something that will daily put you in contact with gratitude.
6. Volunteer
Hold a hand or lend a hand. Just help someone who needs help more than you do. It will give you amazing perspective on your life.
7. Pick up a treasure
When you see something that reminds you of someone you care about, pick it up for them and give it to them ‘just because’.
8. Make a Donation (even if you think you can’t afford to)
Sharing your money, expecting nothing in return, is a powerful way to show you are grateful for what you have.
9. Write or create something and donate the proceeds
Create something that can be sold to support a cause.
10. Give of yourself
The gift of your time and attention makes a great statement about how much someone means to you
11. Make a kid’s day
Giving a child a special day that will forever be a happy memory will be a win-win you won’t soon forget
12. Write a letter to the editor
If someone in your town (a teacher, a neighbor, a service provider) did something really great, write to the editor of your town newspaper to give that person a little extra acknowledgement. Tell people how this person went out of their way to help. You’ll warm some hearts and maybe cause of positive ripple effect for the person you thanked publicly.
13. Bring a friend along for the ride
If you get an opportunity of a lifetime or get ushered up your career ladder by a helping hand, bring someone you know with you. Do what you can to bring them along. Be that helping hand to the next person.
14. Share a meal
‘Breaking bread’ with somebody or a group a people is a great way to express your thanks for them. Serve them as if they were kings.
15. Park yourself in an awesome spot in nature
A majestic view helps to humble your ego and help you appreciate the richness of your world.
16. Finger paint
Get dirty finger-painting and feel the energy going through your fingers as you press through the paint on to the paper. Feel the privilege of having a body that works.
17. Plant a tree or some flowers (depending on region!)
There is a sanctity to putting living things in the earth to encourage their growth. You don’t have to be a ‘tree hugger’ to appreciate what the earth has given you by giving something back to it.
18. Dedicate something to someone significant to you
Say thank you by honoring someone with a dedication. Whether it’s something you have written or a performance or a book, or maybe even a project, dedicate it as an acknowledgment.
19. List the people that make your life easier
Write down a list of people that are in your life that do things with you or for you that make your life a little easier. Imagine if they were not there and how much would be on your plate.
20. Give away all you no longer need
Taking stock of your stuff and seeing it go on to people that can use it, gives you an appreciation for all you have.
21. Make someone something
Engage your creativity, suspend judgment and express your thanks for someone by making them a gift. Whether you have a particular craft or talent is not necessary. Share your creation and tell the receiver what you did to create it.
22. Help someone feel important
Sing Happy Birthday at your own birthday party to someone whose birthday closely follows yours. Acknowledge someone else publicly while you hold the floor. Include someone at the ‘head table’ of an event who would not expect to be there. Do something for someone else’s self-esteem.
23. Document someone else’s life
Dust off your camcorder and record an oral history by a family member, friend or interesting acquaintance. You can even forget the camera and just get someone to talk about the stories of their life. Just when you think you’ve been through it all or you’ve hear it all, you’ll fill with the appreciation for the journey we are all on.
24. Kidnap a friend or loved one for a day devoted to them
Show up unexpectedly and steal someone away for a day of activities handpicked for your friend’s enjoyment. Take them to eat their favorite kind of food, take them to a movie they would love to see, take them to their favorite sporting event or shopping place. Plan a day that has nothing to do with you. Devote it to them.
25. Say Thank You and Mean It
‘Thank you’ can sometimes take on the same worn familiarity as your most comfy slippers and lose it’s true value. Pay more attention as you say it and really mean it.
Giddy, ecstatic, humbled, moved, awed—grateful.
However, the emotion registers for you, each of these actions can likely get you there. It is that intense feeling of being alive that we crave. Despite any troubles we may be dealing with, remember the feeling these 25 ways give you and recreate it every day. That is living. That is worth Thanksgiving.
by Laura Berman Fortgang, Speaker, Author, Coach
Copyright ©2007-2008 Laura Berman Fortgang.
Reprintable when full credit is given.
www.LauraBermanFortgang.com
Suggested Reading
Attitudes of Gratitude: How To Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life
by M. J. Ryan
Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier
by Robert Emmons
Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasures & Traditions. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Mother: A tribute to a mother’s love. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Woman: Insights on the strength and wisdom of women. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Woman in Business: Stories, Strategies and Skills for Business Success, by Sheryl L. Roush
Christmas Story: Do You Believe?
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays| No Comments »Christmas Story: Do You Believe?
The family attended Christmas Eve service together, bringing my nephew Peter, and niece, Alison, to their first Christian services, since moving from Australia to the US. When the minister invited the small children forward to hear the story of the birth of Christ, little 3-year-old Alison went to the front of the pulpit and attentively listened.
Back to the pews, we stood and sang numerous hymnals, followed by the outdoor candle lighting service and more songs. Driving back to my parents house in a quiet moment Alison broke the silence with her precious Aussie dialect, “Auntie Sheryl, do you believe in Jesus?” “Yes I do.” With self-assuredness she replied, “I thought so!” (I silently gasped for air to keep myself from crying deeply at this momentous occasion.)
~Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Author, Proud Aunt
www.SparklePresentations.com
Published in Heart of the Holidays, by Sheryl L. Roush.
Order here for autographed gift copies.
Christmas: In Three Words
Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Poems| No Comments »In Three Words
Memories, Flashbacks, Celebrations
Kisses under mistletoe
Cheery red check
Children wide-eyes
Excited laughing children
Frantic rushing parents
Presents under trees
Receiving favorite things
Proposals and rings
Families traveling far
Driving loaded cars
Sweet hot chocolate
Candy cane treats
Apple Rum Cider
Nutmeg and Eggnog
Making plans early
Late night parties
Singing holiday tunes
Cherished friends re-un
Love abundantly shared
Long airplane flights
Snowed-in delays
Families lovingly reunited
Tears of joy
Cats batting ornaments
Dogs chasing cats
Lights flickering on
Angels atop trees
Sweet treats galore
Frosting sugar cookies
Dipping cheese balls
Avoiding fruit cakes
Exchanging holiday recipes
Joyous carols sung
Hope-filled stockings hung
Crisp snowflakes fall
Card sentiments mailed
Monthly earnings spent
Playing in snow
Sparkling garland shines
Shopping last minute
World peace rings
Packing it up
Storing it away
Waiting another year
Anticipating next year
Doing it again
– Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Author, www.SparklePresentations.com
Reprinted from Heart of the Holidays gift book by Sheryl Roush
Emotional Survival Guide for the Holidays: 7 Tips
Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Tips & Trivia| 1 Comment »Emotional Survival Guide for the Holidays: 7 Tips
Experts explain some simple methods for driving away the holiday blues.
‘Tis the season to be jolly? Not necessarily.
For many people the holiday season, which kicks off with Thanksgiving and spans through New Year’s, is anything but blissful. In fact, this time of year may trigger a bout of the blues or perhaps ignite a depression that has been smoldering under the surface for months. "Holiday blues are a pretty common problem despite the fact that as a society, we see the holidays as a joyous time," says Rakesh Jain, MD, director of psychiatric drug research at the R/D Clinical Research Center in Lake Jackson, Texas. "Many people feel depressed, which can be due to the increased stress that comes with the need to shop and the decreased time to exercise which gets put on the back burner during the holidays." While people with clinical depression should seek professional help, those with a touch of the holiday blues can try these strategies recommended by experts to assure a jolly Christmas and a happy new year.
Visiting Ghosts of Christmas Past
"See what it was in the past that led to trouble, whether drinking too much alcohol or not exercising enough or the decreased social contact that comes from going to parties with relative strangers, but forgetting to connect with friends and family," Jain suggests. "Every time depression visits, it leaves a fingerprint. Look for what in the past has been a repeat source of trouble and find ways to avoid it. If you plan, it’s very likely that you won’t be singing the blues this holiday season."
Sending a Holiday Card — to Yourself
"Writing about your holiday blues can actually change them," says Darlene Mininni, PhD, MPH, author of The Emotional Toolkit. "People who write about their deepest feelings when they’re upset are less depressed, less anxious, and more positive about life than people who write about mundane things," she tells WebMD. She suggests writing for 15 minutes a day for three or four days in a row and answering such questions as "Why does this upset me so much?" Or "What would I like to see happen?"
Avoiding Scrooges and Grinches
"Look at how to protect yourself from the energy vampires of the holiday season who deplete your holiday energy reserve," suggests Judith Orloff, MD, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at Los Angeles and the author of Positive Energy. They can include the drama queens, blamers, criticizers, and sob sisters, she explains. Instead, "try and be around positive people. If your Aunt Meg can suddenly start up and start blaming and criticizing you and make you feel like a wreck, don’t sit next to her. Stake out a seat early." "If you know sitting next to Uncle Jake at Christmas dinner will freak you out, assure that whoever does the seating arrangement moves you to another location," says Susan Newman, PhD. Newman is the author of The Book of NO: 250 Ways to Say It — and Mean It and Stop People-Pleasing Forever. "Don’t be wishy-washy about decisions. People can’t read your mind. If something upsets you they won’t know it unless you say so."
Not Going Home for the Holidays
"If you want to go to your partners’ family this year and you have always gone home, simply explain that this is what you want to do and don’t obsess about the consequences," Newman says. "Remember, people are really looking to get something done and they are not thinking about you as much you think they are. When you say no, they are on to the next person or task. When you say no to people, you put yourself first and during the holidays, we are always putting everybody else in front of us."
Dashing Through the Snow
"Get outside and exercise," says psychologist Joan Borysenko, PhD. Borysenko is the author of the soon-to-be-published book Saying Yes to Change. "This can be hard because if you live in certain parts of the country, it’s cold and snowing during the holiday season. But getting outside is great because you get sun, fresh air, and exercise," she says. Exercise has been shown to boost level of endorphins, the body’s natural antidepressants.
Remembering That It Really Is ‘A Wonderful Life’
"Be grateful for what you do have and all the positive things that have happened in your life," Orloff says. "Talk to supportive friends on the phone and find the kind of support to make you feel less lonely rather than dwelling on the loneliness." Jain agrees. "Thinking that the glass is half full, not half empty, is a simple but effective tool," he says. "Instead of thinking about what you can’t buy, think about the extra time and joy that you have to share with your friends and family."
Creating a Photo Opportunity
Many people actually love the holidays and feel let down only when the holiday season is over, Baron says. But making a plan to get together after New Year’s can help keep the holiday spirit alive longer. "Take lots of pictures over the holidays and plan a late-January get-together where everyone can share their pictures," he suggests. "It’s something to look forward to without waiting for the spring thaw."
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE AND ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
Celebrating What Truly Counts
Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Stories, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Celebrating What Truly Counts
The Perfect Holiday
As the holidays arrive it is easy to become distracted by our desire for perfection. It might be the need to craft a festive environment, always be in an upbeat mood, or simply the desire to find just the right gifts for everyone in our lives. Even though these things can be positive, if we start putting too much pressure on ourselves during this season, we are much more apt to forget what truly is important—celebrating our lives with the people we care about.
For many of us this time of year can stir up a host of mixed emotions. For example, we might feel a tinge of nostalgia for past holiday celebrations, when times were simpler, or a sense of being let down due to the unmet expectations we have for ourselves and others. No matter what our feelings are, they are likely to be caused by an unrealistic sense of what the holidays should mean for us. Rather than thinking of this season as a time for finding the perfect gift or hosting the best party, we can get so much more out of the holidays if we create a personal inventory of the things that matter most to us. With each item we add to our list, we can then set the intention to use this season as a time to consciously rejoice in and express our appreciation for the blessings we have. The more we are able to let go of our traditional expectations for the holidays, the more open we will become to the bounteous spirit that lies within us.
Our true enjoyment of this season will only come from looking within and reflecting on the deeper spiritual significance the holidays have for us. Infusing our holiday activities with a sense of gratitude will bring a greater level of enjoyment to our life and also help us extend loving and kind energy to all we encounter. It is this spirit that will allow us to truly celebrate by sharing our greatest gifts—infinite love, peace, understanding, and joy—with those around us.
Christmas Season Movie
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, Movies, New Year's, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Christmas Season Movie
Christmas Season is here.
Childhood memories, wishes, hopes and dreams.
Believing in the miracle and the joy of Christmas.
Giving way to our desires and wishes that our dreams will be.
Mary Robinson Reynolds wrote this movie because for many people, including herself, our first awareness of a connection with something greater than ourselves – the magic, and the miraculous – came through the legend of Saint Nicholas. Dream your dreams … go ahead, rediscover how to get in touch with your heart’s truest desires once again, because the New Year will soon be calling you into action. What you want, wants you! Regardless of what has occurred in your life this past year, the Spirit of the season beckons you to continue forward with the dreams that are trying to be dreamed through you. Some dreams are as simple as those we dreamed of in childhood. Some dreams are bigger than we "of ourselves" can accomplish.
This is the magic of Christmas …Connect with the Spirit of the season…Dream Big!
A sweet movie reminding us of wishes past: www.ChristmasSeasonMovie.com
Christmas Website Links
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Website Links| No Comments »
EASY CHRISTMAS LINKS
Aristotle’s Christmas on the Web
www.wassail.com
Carol Garretson’s Christmas Stories
www.geocities.com/Heartland/1510
Christmas Traditions around the world.
www.santas.net/ aroundtheworld.htm
Christmas ’round the World (Wide Web)
http://eclecticesoterica.com/christmas.html
Hundreds of Christmas cookie recipes
www.christmas-cookies.com
WorldView! Christmas.com around the world!
Cultures and Customs
NORAD’s tracking of Santa
www.noradsanta.org
CLAUS.COM is the oldest and most popular Christmas website on the Internet
www.claus.com/village.php
Lots of neat Christmas information from the people at HowStuffWorks.com
www.howstuffworks.com/christmas
Holiday stories, recipes, traditions, games, etc.
www.merry-christmas.com
Reader’s Digest Christmas
www.rdchristmas.com
Games, a letter from Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph, and you can write to Santa
www.northpole.net
Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasures and Traditions, book by Sheryl Roush
Heart of the Holidays book
Heart of the Holidays book with Music CD
Holiday Do’s in the Workplace
Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, Tips & Trivia| No Comments »Holiday Do’s in the Workplace
This time of year, the decisions that plague many a manager, leader and employee are filled with "what do I do for Christmas for my peers, boss, and direct reports?" Well, as the whole nation comes to a screeching halt and prepares for end of year numbers, final sales crunches, and multiple weeks of long over due vacation, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Make sure you handle this holiday season in a way that inspires, uplifts, shows gratitude and values who they are as people. Here are a few options…
Holiday Cards
Sometimes just a note will be enough to say Happy Holidays and Thank You for all that you Do! This works best when they are handwritten cards and when they address the specific holiday that the recipient is celebrating. Not everyone in the US celebrates Christmas. Keep in mind that if you have a multicultural work environment that your holiday options may not b merely limited to Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. There may be other and for that reason and non-denominational or non-specific Happy Holiday greeting and card picture might be best. If your budget or time frame only allows for a card greeting this year then it will certainly express your thought and even step it up a notch with more than signature –" add a personal note. (*Do be careful what you say in way of performance in your cards, as these can later be used to prove that you thought they were doing a good job if you have to coach them at a later date. I know, I know, but it had to be said.)
Holiday Lunch or Party
A gathering of friends and family is often what makes the holidays so magical. If the team you have the privilege of working with considers each other friends, then take them to lunch all together, or have a party at someone’s house or consider having each person bring in a pot luck dish. Watch out for third shifters or late shifters who may not get to take part in the festivities. You want to uplift, not leave out those that matter. Also, watch the alcohol intake as the party of this year may turn into the grapevine of next year. Consider conducting a white elephant holiday party in which each person brings a gift valued at a small dollar amount ($10-$20) and through a series of number draws each person gets to take a gift or steal one from someone who has already gone. The funnier the gifts, the livelier the party.
Christmas Bonus
This one is a touchy one. If you have paid Christmas bonuses in the past, you want to keep doing that unless you are prepared to give ample warning. (i.e In July!) Money is not a long term motivator, but it will quickly de-motivate folks if you take it away and that may be the last thing your company needs in an effort to cut the budget. Christmas or holiday bonuses are a generous thing and employees may choose this over a trip, but one might be better off asking them what they want. Once it is spent, money is gone and often doesn’t have the same value that you think it does. Think of the last time you gave someone a raise. Did anyone hug your neck for a 3% yearly increase?
– Monica Wofford, Speaker, Author, Trainer, Business Consultant
Toasts for Good Cheer
Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Poems, Quotations, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Toasts for Good Cheer
No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today,
mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it.
~Henry Ward Beecher
May God grant you always…
A sunbeam to warm you,
a moonbeam to charm you,
a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you.
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.
~Irish Blessings
These things I warmly wish for you
Someone to love, some work to do,
A bit o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer,
And a guardian angel always near.
~Irish Blessings
May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain,
tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you
and all your heart might desire.
~Irish Blessings
Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.
~William Shakespeare
At Christmas play and make good cheer,
for Christmas comes but once a year.
~Thomas Tusser
Family Holidays: Built Upon the Past
Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Tips & Trivia| No Comments »Family Holidays: Built Upon the Past
November 21, 2007
As the holidays approach, you may be preparing yourself to gather with family members you don’t usually spend time visiting. You may even feel that you are choosing to meet more from a sense of obligation than celebration. But when we trust that the universe always places us exactly where we need to be, we know that we have been placed in our families for some higher purpose. Your spirit may have chosen that particular group of souls to help you learn certain lessons, or to give you the experiences necessary to overcome specific challenges. And when we feel we’ve moved away from situations that don’t resemble us or the life we choose to live, it can seem frustrating to put ourselves back into an old scenario. But even a sense of obligation is a sign that you are still connected to the energy of your family, and for that alone it is worth investing yourself into making the most of any gathering.
Once surrounded by people from your past, you may find that you are feeling challenged by a sort of identity crisis. There is likely to be a gap between the person you know yourself to be now and how you are seen by those who knew you before. But you can call upon your inner strength to stand in your truth and simply be who you are without needing their approval or heeding any criticism. Then, you can offer them the gift you’d like to receive when you also allow them to be themselves.
Being in situations that we might not choose for ourselves allows us to see ourselves in a new light. The contrast helps us to see our own strengths and weaknesses, and to learn to accept others for theirs. Part of the magic of family is the way in which it bonds diverse people together, allowing them to function as a complete unit. Who we are today has been built upon our past. If nothing else, rejoining with the family and friends who knew us in our earlier days allows us to recall where we came from so that we can appreciate all that we’ve been given.
Authors Share Their Original Stories in New Holiday Book
Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice| 1 Comment »Authors Share Their Original Stories in New Holiday Book
Previously published authors sharing previously unpublished original stories and poems are featured in the November 1 release of Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasury and Traditions. Readers embrace touching tributes celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Yuletide Around the Globe, Winter Solstice, and Ringing in the New Year.
Authors include: Lorri V. Allen, Lee A. Barron, Lillian Berman, Cynthia Brian, Marilyn Dalrymple, Lisa Delman, Virgina Ellis, Darlene Fahl-Brittian, Jerry Gitchel, Carolle Jean-Murat, Jan Mills, Selena Parker, Kay Presto, John Reddish, Marcia Reynolds, Karen Robertson, Sheryl Roush, Jennifer Rousseau Sedlock, Reta Taylor, Terri Marie, Joni Wilson and Judy Wright.
