Creative Changes Blog

Gratitude is my antidote for bad news and the fear it generates.

If you tune in and take all the news to heart, it could make you crazy, sad and fearful. My choice is to tune it down, and limit my exposure to the madness.

Even with all the new challenges we are facing, each of us has much to be grateful for, and focusing on those blessings in our lives helps to create positive energy and dissipate fearful thoughts. We can make a choice to bring our attention to those things (and people) in our lives that bring us joy and enrich our lives in a positive way.

Speaking of gratitude - can you believe that November is right here, which means that Thanksgiving just a few weeks away?!

It is still 90 - 95 degrees outside here in the beautiful Southern California Desert, so it does not feel to much like Autumn. I think this is why the holidays always sneak up on me.

Are you getting in the holiday mindset?

Here are a few tips to help Simplify the Holidays.

• Send e-invitations instead of snail mail

• Remember all those gift items you have purchased and stashed all over the house? Now is the time to gather them all together in one place to see what you actually have, and can use.

• Before you go to Costco and Wal-Mart for the bulk supplies - take inventory of what you have. How many times have you bought tin foil or zip lock bags "just in case"?

• Ditto for the holiday wrap, cards, etc. that you purchased at the end of the season last year. They are no bargain if you don't actually use them.

• If you enjoy spending time with family and friends, but are not so excited about the work related holiday events, choose now to do less.

• Perhaps you have been thinking that the gift giving aspect of the holidays has gotten out of control. Now is the time to talk to your family and friends about creating a new, more relevant tradition.

I would love to hear your thoughts, plans and tips for this holiday season.

Until next time,

Sandra

Labels: gratitude, holiday tips, Simplify the Holidays