May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through. – Author Unknown
Black Friday was a blockbuster. Sales were up 6.6% in a record shopping day. When the day was over, shoppers spent 11.4 billion dollars; the best Black Friday ever.
Cyber Monday also set records. Sales were up 22% compared to a year ago, and people are still clicking.
While these sales records could be a sign the economy is recovering, it’s also a sign the Christmas Spirit is alive and well. No matter how tight our budgets, we try to find a way to find the right gifts (and at the right prices) to light up the faces of friends and family on Christmas morning.
The Christmas Spirit reminds us the joy of giving is more important than any gift we’ll ever receive. After all, I think what we really want isn’t always found in a department store or online. What we really want comes from a place that doesn’t accept credit cards at all. Read more
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. – Hamilton Wright Mabie
Article written by guest contributor Mariana Ashley.
The holiday season is often fraught with mixed feelings.
It’s supposed to be a time of the year which we spend with family and friends, accentuating the important things in life. While this sounds great in theory, in reality, most of us spend the holidays being abnormally stressed.
Whether it’s deciding whose house to spend Christmas, what types of presents to buy for which one of your loved ones, or where to go on your holiday vacation, you are likely far from relaxed enough to grasp this elusive “holiday cheer.”
But there is another way. It is possible to enjoy the holidays, as long as you make a commitment to keep it simple. Here are a five authentic ways: Read more
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. – Dalai Lama
Article written by guest contributor Galen Pearl from 10 Steps to Finding Your Happy Place.
Simplicity is a buzzword these days.
There are books and magazines devoted to it. Alex has written some excellent articles on his blog about simplicity. In our over cluttered, over consuming, over scheduled, over teched (I made that word up), over stressed, super-sized culture, we crave simplicity the way a parched nomad in the desert craves a sip of pure cool water.
Lately, I’ve been craving it in my faith life.
Seeking simple faith
I have friends of many faiths, and I respect them all, both the friends and their faiths. In the last year, I have happily accepted invitations to visit several of their places of worship, and in each instance, I was touched by something beautiful. Yet, somewhere there was a subtle or not so subtle message – be one of us, not one of them. You must believe what we believe, or else. Read more
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. – Meister Eckhardt
Thanksgiving Day will be here soon. This year the holiday holds a deeper meaning for me than it has in the past because I’ve come to realize every moment isn’t a guarantee – it’s a gift.
Instead of the traditional feast prepared at home, Mary Beth, Emily and I will travel to Denver and celebrate Thanksgiving with Brandon. Andrew will join us there.
But, this will be the first Thanksgiving without Caitlin. My daughter will stay in Miami and work so she can take time off at Christmas. This will make Christmas all the more special, which I’m sure will result in a post.
So, the Thanksgiving season begins.
I’ve been fortunate to celebrate 49 Thanksgivings. While there are more than 49 things I’m thankful for in life, this number is a good start. It tells my God, and my family, how much I appreciate what I have.
I share these 49 things from a thankful, intentional heart so you’ll be nudged to remember the wonderful things you have to be thankful for, too: Read more
Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. – Margaret Mead
Article written by guest contributor Kaley Klemp, Co-Author of The Drama-Free Office.
Many thoughtful individuals find themselves in important roles in organizations where they have great potential for collaboration. As thoughtful, caring coworkers, they offer substantial gifts to an organization.
Genuinely concerned for the well-being of others, they can be the cheerful enthusiast, ever gracious to those around them. Accomplished peacemakers, they know how to bring people together in harmony.
However, many of these people find they walk a fine line between caring and becoming a caretaker, someone who goes beyond protecting and supporting to rescuing, smothering, and enabling. Read more
The moment you move out of the way, you make room for the miracle to take place. – Dr. Barbara King
Article written by contributor Lorraine Cohen from Powerfull Living.
Do you ever wonder, “What am I supposed to be doing?”
That’s a common question when going through periods of transition. Transition is the psychological reaction to change – anger, confusion, fear, anxiety, and grief.
Frankly, I think life is an ongoing transition because change is always happening.
The doorway to possibilities
With the consciousness shifts occurring on the planet, there can be many moments when life seems to be a great mystery and all you have are questions that seem to have few answers.
At least the answers you want and hope for to soothe any anxiousness or fear arising when living with uncertainty. Read more
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. – M. Kathleen Casey
Article written by contributor Jarrod Clark. Please visit him at Optimistic Journey.
Once again, we have embarked upon the season of thanksgiving. In this joyous season, it’s a time to reflect upon our loved ones, blessings, the favor of God, and the undeserved mercies that have been granted to us.
But unfortunately, we don’t always show gratitude and count the blessings the way we should.
Too often, we get in a mindset of doing the opposite. We end up counting the curses instead of the blessings. We find ourselves focusing on what’s going wrong in our lives, instead of what’s going right. As a result, we start a downward spiral of negativity, strife, and turmoil in our lives.
Remember that there’s a silver lining in everything situation. Read more
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