A Holiday Note

Are you building memories that your family will have for a lifetime?

Your not too cool to play dress up right? How about going snow tubing with the family for fun?

Tis the season to be JOLLY As the end of the year rapidly approaches the holidays remind us that an old year is ending and a new year along with a new beginning is in the wake. It's the time of the year that we enjoy family and friends along with a little eggnog, coquito and the secret Santa gifts.

I am so happy to report that as i have grown into an adult my memories of the holiday seasons are so much better than those that i had growing up and i guess that is because I got tired of the dreary days that i and those around me called holidays. I made a conscious decision back in my early twenties that i would enjoy each holiday, each birthday celebration moving forward because that is what days of celebration were for, to celebrate. I was going to eat and be merry, I let the fun around me happen and i was going to share with those around me how grateful i am for the family and friends, the fun the food, the gifts and most of all the memories. I wish the same peace to all of you reading this holiday note today. I wish you JOY and hope that you enjoy the extra time in your life for a little fun, bunches of laughter and tones of GREAT memories.

Happy Holiday Cheer to Everyone

The holidays are a tricky time because in some instances not everyone around you celebrates the holidays that you may celebrate or for whatever reason may not agree with your reasons for celebrating or not celebrating those particular holidays. So for candy cane sake if it does not affect your life than just smile and be happy with the rest of the world because real life aint no joke and it hurts sometimes. Smile and be merry while you can. Life is shorter than we know.

Don't wonder if saying Merry Christmas is politically correct, just say it if it feels good to you, heck it is Christmas around the world that we live in and there are some Merry people out there because of it so don't wonder just join in on the joy. While we are respectful of others beliefs or non beliefs we must also remember to cherish the differences in our great country because it’s the respect and integrity for diversity that makes us great as a people.

I like to look at each holiday, day off and birthday as the opportunity to appreciate the time that it allows me to have with those that are dear to me. Why complicate it; don’t evaluate it, just appreciate it.

Some people love/hate to see the holidays coming for a variety of reasons:

• Maybe they know they will over extend themselves financially during the holiday season and the holiday anxiety is wearing them down. If you can’t help but spend, at least spend less to minimize the beating that you will give yourself later. Seeing the joy in those that you love is worth the stress sometimes but if we know this than we should at least give ourselves a mental break and stress less. Stress is the #1 killer

• Some have to choose between gifts and bills. Hold your head up high for being a provider and understand that People do not remember gifts but they do remember memories. I remember always having a hot meal when I was growing up even if it came from the Salvation Army or the woman’s shelter. Knowing that I always had a meal makes me smile thinking back no matter how bad the in betweens may have been.

• Some of us feel alone/lonely in a house filled with people or some are really just alone. It may be time for you to get to know yourself. You would be surprised at how many more levels there are to you that you are yet to uncover. Getting to know you will teach you how to sit with you, while getting to know yourself. Sometimes all we need is knowledge of self.

• People find out that they are really a non-descript chic or dude in their honey’s life. Most people are creatures of habit and develop patterns with you that they may abruptly change do to the holidays approaching and all, but don’t let this startle you, pay attention to the changes and think about how they made or make you feel and then make a decision for yourself. If you are a side piece and there is no chance of you ever making it to the main plate than you have some thinking to do. Sometimes we sit in what we already know the answers to. Find your happiness even if it means that you will be alone for a minute.

• A few people out there may hate their jobs. That’s pretty simple of a solution, look for another job while you have the one that you do not like. You don’t want to cut off your nose to spite you face. Think smart

As the holidays slip past us and the end of the year rapidly approaches many people take this time as a time of a self-reflection. Thinking about the year behind us and the New Year approaching is terrifying for some because they are afraid of what is next. I say take “the everything” new in your life and smile about it.

• Don’t put too much on your plate at one time

• Take life one step at a time, do not speed race to the finish line

• Look at how far you have come already and know that it gets greater later

• You can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink

• If you broke up with someone think of it as one door closing and a better one opening

• Understand that people are not possessions they are gifts so value them and yourself

• If you feel cheated out of a promotion or a bonus please do more than cry about it, either make a change or let it go but do not belabor it for your own sake

• If there has been a yellow brick road set and laid for you then follow it. Some of us need lines

• Never wallow in misery, pick yourself and find higher ground

• If you feel empty with someone occupying your life please think again and know that you deserve to feel full

• If you walk with your head in the downward position please lift your chin little soldier and look in front of you, the sun is in front of you so look up

• If a person has not incorporated you into their everyday life than you may be just a past time

• If you can’t see for any reason how fabulous you are then maybe you should step back into the mirror and repeat after me: I am fabulous inside and out. Learn how to believe it and become it.

• Some of us need to SLOW down, you are not a computer so it's okay if you forget something

• Life does not always go according to plan, be flexible and life may surprise you.

It’s all about self-value. Build new dreams, set new goals, surround yourself with people that love you back without condition and steer clear of people that exude self destruction

So when you see a family member that you haven’t seen in a while during the holiday's – smile at them and wish them well because you never know where their day or where yours may end.

BE GREAT TODAY and if you fall short today try again tomorrow but BE Great for yourself.

Make sure that the person that you present is the person that you are happy with if not than work towards a better you. We all have other us's

Blessings and Bests to you and yours during this holiday season.

Loving yourself will make it easier for you to issue real love to others

Sleep in peace to all of the people that are no longer with us. Thank you for showing us how to appreciate life

Precious Unique