It's Hard.

"It is hard, so terribly hard, to please yourself.  Far from being the easy thing that it sounds like, it is almost the hardest thing in the world, because we are not always comfortable with that true self that lies deep with in us."  Christopher Alexander

As the pace of the  Holiday season quickens and you feel yourself doing many shoulds, have tos, obligations or guilt induced activities; pause.

Ask yourself what’s seasonal clutter?

What parts of the festivities do you truly enjoy?

Who do you want to make time to be with?

What activity, celebration, ritual really fills you with joy and wonder?

There is no correct answer for everyone.

Just the answers that resonate with you.

Ignore the din of voices in your head:  The  consumer media messages, the Perfect Family script, the whisper of messy craft projects, the rumbling of finding the perfect gift-for everyone.

Take a moment and consider what would really really please you this December? 

Yes, that first thought that popped into your head.

Only you know what’s really true for you.

Go ahead, please yourself.

Everything else is just clutter.

No apologies, explanations, justifications.

Hold sacred space in your life for your truest self.

 Karen

Grateful actions.

Be grateful.

Say thank you.

Give praise.

Be generous.

Respond with kindness.

Let someone else win.

Just listen.

Bite your tongue. (if necessary)

Look for the humor.

Believe you have enough.

Thank you.

Karen  

A new kind of Gift Exchange

It’s that time of year when family, friends, or co workers decide to arrange for this year’s Holiday Gift Exchange.  (I hear some of you groaning)

Last year friends of mine at Martingale  participated in an exchange that proved to be fun for the staff and provide toys to less fortunate kids.

(And didn’t end up creating more ‘stuff’ in everyone’s office or  home)

Co workers names were exchanged. The participants  then bought a toy or a game for the person that they thought reflected their personality/interests/idea of fun. 

The gifts were wrapped, tagged and exchanged during the Staff Holiday Luncheon.

People laughed, a lot. They got to be kids again, delighting in opening up toys and games.  People reminisced about playing with certain toys as kids.  People were charmed and delighted by how their co workers gifts reflected their interests and quirks.  Did I mention they laughed?

After the presents were all unwrapped, the toys were donated to a charitable organization that distributed the gifts to kids. 

I loved hearing about this idea.

(Almost makes me wish I worked in an office!)

I thought it captured many of the best parts of gift giving:  Imagination, fun, knowledge of the recipient, anticipation of their reaction, and being generous.

And the gifts got to be unwrapped and delighted over twice!  How fun is that?

Choose to make gift giving fun.

Karen    

Rich!

“He who knows he has enough is rich.”  Lao-tzu

We each get to decide how much will make us rich.

If six pairs of back jeans makes you feel rich, you don’t need to buy a seventh pair.

If four is enough, give two pair away.

Relationships, time, money, art, books, adventures; you choose how much is enough.

Your time, energy and attention are limited, so your actions and choices reflect what you value.

The more clear you are about what's important to you, the easier it will be to have a richer life.

Who do you want to spend your time with?

What kinds of activities engage your head and heart?

Which things create an atmosphere of richness in your home?

Make conscious decisions about how much is enough.

(Ten of one thing isn’t ten times as good as one.  

It’s just one thing, ten times over.)

It is your choice how rich your life will be.

You decide how much is enough.

Choose wisely.

Karen