Thanksgiving Thoughts: Over The Years
Heart of the Holidays, Holidays, Thanksgiving| No Comments »THANKSGIVING: THEN AND NOW
Then:
Dad carving the hard-crusted turkey with electric knife, nibbling
as he goes.
Now:
Dad carving the moist, baked-in-the bag turkey, without the
electric knife, still nibbling as he goes.
Then:
Mom cooked up real cranberries (too lumpy for me).
Now:
Sheryl brings jellied cranberry sauce with pickled beets.
Then:
Never decorated the house for the fall holiday.
Now:
Decorate with autumn leaves, real pumpkins, and golden garlands.
Then:
Showed up in time to eat, everything was fixed by mom, departed
early with leftovers in Tupperware and plastic baggies.
Now:
Arrive early, set the table, bring healthy food choices to add to the
menu, clear the table after the meal, and wash the fine china, stay
late just to hang around and have meaningful conversations.
From Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasures and Traditions, by inspirational speaker Sheryl Roush, which features 67 original short stories, 36 poems, and 193 quotations and scriptures from 71 contributors.
ORDER 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)
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
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
National Speakers Association: Spirit of NSA Day November 14
Speaking Events, Stories| 1 Comment »
National Speakers Association:
Spirit of NSA Day
November 14
November 14 has been designated a national day of advocacy for the National Speakers Association
Posted October 14, 2008
To honor NSA Founder Cavett Robert, CSP, CPAE, and continue NSA’s legacy of sharing and giving, November 14, 2008 will be our 2nd Annual Spirit of NSA Day, a national day of advocacy encouraging NSA members to support one another. This year, and on every November 14 going forward, the day serves as a reminder to NSA members, encouraging them to:
- Focus on giving back
- Provide genuine support to speaking colleagues
- Take time to connect, help, mentor or refer business to other members without any expectation of reciprocation
Many members already follow Cavett’s role model. However, imagine the strength of spirit and growth of our profession if all of our members focus on unconditionally giving of themselves to our community on this day. The NSA community is known for the concept of removing competition by building a bigger market for all speakers.
The strength of NSA is in the education we provide and the strong community we have built. As members, you are asked to support the Spirit of NSA by introducing colleagues to clients, referring business or mentoring emerging speakers.
Help the legacy continue and "build a bigger NSA pie" by participating in Spirit of NSA Day on November 14, 2008!
- Provide peer to peer encouragement
- Introduce a colleague to a potential client
- Refer business to a colleague
- Mentor an emerging speaker
Professional Member Sheryl Roush, commented, "I would not be where I am in the speaking profession today, had it not been for the overwhelming generosity of colleagues mentoring, coaching and cheering me along the way." Speaker Mary-Ellen Drummond recruited Sheryl to join NSA in 1990, on her board as Newsletter Editor for the San Diego Chapter. Roush then went on to serve another 13 years on the Chapter Board, received the "Member of the Year" award, and holds the Golden Microphone Award designation from the Greater Los Angeles Chapter. To date, she has presented in nine countries, plus addressed seven nations in the Arabian Gulf, and is a 12-time published author.
President of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., she coaches and mentors Toastmasters International members into becoming professional speakers and authors today, as one way of giving back, and supporting the future of the profession. Sheryl was only the third woman in the world (of six) to earn Toastmasters’ Accredited Speaker designation for outstanding professional platform speaking skills, in their global membership of 4 million people in 93 countries. To date only 58 have earned this elite designation.
In honor of Spirit of NSA Day, Roush is donating graphic design work to two of her NSA colleagues on their NSA Fall Conference workshop presentations next weekend. She is also donating an after-dinner church fellowship presentation, "Humor for the Holidays" to senior citizens in her home town at the Chula Vista Congregational Church, located in San Diego, California.
Sheryl Roush Interviewed on BlogTalkRadio for Women in Business
Heart of a Woman in Business, Interviews| No Comments »
BlogTalkRadio Show Host
Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn Interviews
Womens’ Book Author Sheryl Roush
Dr. Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn hosted guest Sheryl Roush on her weekly one-hour BlogTalkRadio Show on October 21, offering tips for success in your career, workplace, your own business and for your personal life.
Sheryl Roush is an 8-time entrepreneur, successful business woman, best selling author, top rated international speaker, and an inspirational /motivational coach. Her books include: Heart of a Woman in Business, Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Mother, and Heart of the Holidays.
Helena invited Sheryl to openly share her personal story, insights, and how she created the inspirational book series for women. Reading selections from the newly published Heart of a Woman in Business book, Sheryl offered "Affirmations for Women in Business."
Valuable tips during the interview include four unconditional support systems to help us keep our balance, and sanity, maintaining our authenticity and worthiness as women. Helena commented after the show, "A must-hear program for women of all ages!"
After only the first day, "Lots and lots of listeners have already listened to the archives and have downloaded you, and you are already a best seller. … after only 24 hours.. (Wow, I am impressed. One MAN emailed me…and said you really hit it right for him (and I had advertised you for women!!) He even said he wanted to hear you again!! Well, well…"
Helena commented that in the first month, "The stats from your show was one of the highest this year…Thank you again for being on the show…"
To hear this engaging interview, CLICK HERE
Helena 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. 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. Thousands have reported life-changing results from participating in her inspiring Power- Seminars, Inspirational-Motivational lectures and one-on-one stimulating personal consultations.
Read more information on Dr. Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn, go to www.SpeakingToYourHeart.com
For more information on Sheryl Roush, go to www.SherylRoush.com, or www.SparklePresentations.com.
Her books are available at Amazon.com, Borders, and Borders.com.
Stories, poems, recipes and quotations are posted at www.HeartBookSeries.com
Memorial Day Tribute
MUSIC| No Comments »Memorial Day Tribute
This Memorial Day Tribute is written and performed by Geoffrey Lewis – one of the greatest story tellers of all time – with music by Geoff Levin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X4lAl_m_0g
Heartfelt thanks to the amazing Celestial Navigations for their superb work.
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.
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
Holiday Tips: Nurturing The Spirit Year Round
Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Stories, Thanksgiving, Tips & Trivia, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Holiday Tips: Nurturing The Spirit Year Round
Learning from the Holidays
Holidays and joy are two elements of our lives that are naturally intertwined. Traditional celebrations awaken within us an ardent desire to reconnect with the people we care about and to share our abundance. During the holiday season, we feel more driven to actively practice compassion, tolerance, selflessness, and gratitude. When we feel stressed, we find peace in the company of loved ones. And, filled with warm thoughts, we endeavor to ensure that others can share in our celebrations. Yet while happiness and holidays go hand in hand, the serenity and optimism that blossom within as we act on our festive feelings need not be relegated to a few days or weeks each year. We can carry the holiday spirit within us all year long if we make an effort to embrace a celebratory frame of mind no matter what the date.
Holding the holidays in your heart can be wonderfully transformative. Changing your life can be as simple as thinking about the uplifting activities you engage in and the positive attitudes you adopt during the holiday season and then integrating them into your daily life. If you learn to always be as open to wonder as you are around the holidays, the world will seem like a more magical place, whether it is December, March, or August. While holidays represent a great opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, there is little preventing you from reaching out to the people you care about throughout the year. The patience, compassion, goodwill, and tolerance you feel while celebrating can easily become a part of your everyday experience. Likewise, you will soon discover that the generous charitable gifts you give once a year mean just as much during other months and are often needed even more.
To remind yourself of your decision to carry the holiday spirit in your heart, consider displaying some small part of your holiday décor to signify your commitment. Remember that giving, whether your gifts are tangible or of the soul, always feels good, whatever the occasion. However you prefer to celebrate the holidays, practicing the ideals of the season every day means experiencing the beauty of the holiday season all year long.
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.
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
