It's an illusion to think we can save time. I've yet to find "The Bank of Time Deposits." Each day contains 24 hours. How we use those hours is up to us for the most part.
Since I first published my November 1999 newsletter related to reducing stress around the holidays, life hasn't gotten any less hectic. Since last September 11th, new kinds of stress have entered all our lives. I sincerely hope you will use this time to reevaluate what's really important in your life. Are you providing time every single day to be present for yourself and those you love? If not today - then when?
Holidays can be stressful or joyful. It's your choice. You have the freedom to create new traditions and eliminate or tweak components of old traditions.
Suggestion:
Gather around your family, or family of choice, and discuss how you'd like to commemorate the upcoming holidays. Maybe this is the year you...
really will help out with a holiday meal being served in your local homeless shelter. Or perhaps...
you and some friends will provide gifts for a family that is undergoing challenging economic times. How about...
helping out an elderly neighbor with a project for which they don't have the energy or tools?
Here is a list of ideas for helping to create a stress-reduced holiday season, downloadable as a Word 9.0 document, an RTF or text file, or printable as an HTML file. Carry it with you to read in a quiet moment on the bus, plane, or when you're stuck in a traffic jam or waiting in line somewhere. Get some family input in the next week and begin to plan a relaxed and love-filled holiday season.
