327 – November 23
“If only the people who worry about their liabilities would think about the riches they do possess, they would stop worrying. Would you sell both your eyes for a million dollars…or your legs…or your hands…or your hearing? Add up what you do have, and you’ll find that you won’t sell them for all the gold in the world. The best things in life are yours, if you can appreciate yourself.”—Dale Carnegie
Having a sense of balance and perspective is this: Knowing that there will always be someone who has more than you do—and someone who has less.
Think you don’t have enough money? Donate a few hours working at the Union Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter, or a haven for runaway kids on the street. Then when you go home, take another look at all the riches you possess, remembering all those who do not have so much.
Think your health is poor? Maybe some people are worse off than you. Take flowers, songs or poetry readings to a hospital or a nursing home. Make a donation to one of the many organizations that are searching for cures for what ails us.
Wish you were more intelligent? Notice the joy on the faces of the children in the Special Olympics and think again. Volunteer to teach a class; help an illiterate person learn to read.
Wish you were married, had a significant other, or even a date? You’re only alone because you don’t want the people who want you. Take another look and say yes to someone.
Wish you were single? Get single and give your mate a chance to find someone else who will really love them.
Wish you were more beautiful? Rent The Elephant Man then get to work on developing the inner beauty that he had.
Whatever it is you think you lack, there are those who have less than you. Whatever it is you think you have, there are those who have more than you. That is the state of this existence. You can be happy about it or you can be miserable. Your choice.
But the basic, glorious, joyous fact of life is this: You breathe, you think, you love, you hope, you cry, you laugh and so does everyone else. Thank God, or whatever cosmic force brought you into being, for this spark of divine consciousness that gives you life.
Today’s Affirmation:
“Thank you, God, for filling my life with glorious riches!”
HOLIDAY STRESS BUSTERS
A. BACK SAVING HINTS
1. Do not sit on floor to either wrap presents or write cards. Use a table or a high counter to wrap presents.
2. Gather all materials and have them handy.
3. Take frequent breaks.
– If you have been sitting, get up and walk around.
– If you have been standing, lie down on the floor or bed and stretch, or sit in a chair and round forward toward floor, inhale, roll up slowly.
4. Spread card addressing and writing over several nights (depending on how many you send or if you write lots of personal notes). Set a time limit – 2 hours maximum. Set a timer and stop. Take a stretch break.
B. SAVE YOUR SANITY – MIND GAMES
1. Take 15 minutes to write down all you are thankful for. Type or write several copies and put the list in obvious places: on mirror in bathroom; at work on desk; or in car Stop and review list when you are tempted to “go nuts”.
2. A perfect gift for that person who is so hard to shop for:
– one hour massage.
– An uplifting book. Chicken Soup For The Soul, Simple Abundance,
Life’s Little Instruction Books, The Wealthy Spirit, Zero to Zillionaire.
C. SAVE YOUR FAMILY WHEN DECORATING
1. DO NOT MOVE FURNITURE BY YOURSELF. To set up a tree offer to help a friend if they help you – buying and carting a tree home.
2. Don’t do ladder alone.
3. Have tree delivered and set-up. Pay some college or high school students to do the heavy stuff.
D. PLAN AHEAD TO REDUCE FRAZZLES
1. Balance your holiday party activity with quiet time.
2. You don’t have to go to every party and if you go, you don’t have to stay late!
3. Schedule sleep time – very important – at least 3 nights a week get 8 hours
4. Short power naps are helpful.
5. If you are a morning person, schedule preparation time then!
6. Schedule a massage during the holidays.
E. HOW TO HONOR THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
1. Whatever your spiritual source, take a little extra time to connect with the essence of the holiday.
2. Volunteer to help those less fortunate. Not just with money but with compassion and participation.
3. Be more forgiving and kind. Slow down. Don’t try to do everything, go everywhere. Be at peace with yourself.
