This is one of my favorite times of the year, it is not the
weather I like (I prefer the sun and beach), but it’s the season of giving I
adore. Although giving back is a great
thing to do all year round, everyone seems a little more generous and
charitable as the holidays draw near. Our country has been through so much with
recent devastation to millions of families from hurricanes, flooding,
wildfires, and other disasters, now is a great time to help.
It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that
the season brings. The endless commercials and advertisements combined with the
pressures to shop, bake, decorate and wrap overshadow the true meaning of the
holiday and can turn anyone into a Grinch. But take a second to stop and
breathe. Count your blessings- your family, your friends, your job, and all
that you have to celebrate. Just things we take for granted. Many people in our community do not have it as lucky as
we do-and YES, even in our town.
One of the best things I believe you can do is teach your
children that the holiday season isn't just about getting gifts. Start some new
holiday traditions by engaging your family in community service projects. Spend
one day thinking of others and to help spread your holiday cheer to more than
just your family. Donate some non-perishable foods to help community members
facing food insecurity during the holiday season. No matter your income level,
you can find time to donate to others. Find
ways to practice kindness, a kind word or smile to a homeless person, serving
others during the holidays, drawing a picture, writing a note, or comforting a
friend or family member does not cost a thing but will be priceless.
Enjoying the little things, special moments, and the people
in your life is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. But there's
nothing like the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from making someone else happy,
and that taps into the true meaning of the holiday season.
If you would like some ideas to help local families this holiday season, please reach out to me at GirlTalkMarlton@gmail.com
Happy Holidays to you & yours,
Mary Beth
Happiness is an attitude and a choice that begins within you. Don’t wait for bliss to come to you, with just a few adjustments to your outlook on life, happiness can enter your soul. How you let the world around you, affect you, could be the key to your happiness. You can’t control everything that happens in life, but you can choose how you respond. Learn to see opportunity where others see misfortune. It is not easy to do this, but you CAN do this. Start by changing the way you react to situations and your life can become stress-free and happy, IF you choose.
Begin to foster positive emotions, such as empathy, serenity, and especially gratitude. Start speaking positive words and compliment others. Learn to trust others, start being more open and loving, even to strangers. Help others and give to those less fortunate. Gratitude is a part of being happy. Be thankful for all the blessings that you have in your life and what is going well. Learn to listen to others and become genuinely interested in all they want to say, this shows compassion. Choose to forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiveness is an act of kindness and you will feel that burden lifted.
Show appreciation and respect for all the good in your life. You ARE blessed, know it. Focus on being the best version of yourself. Nobody in the world can beat you at being you. Be who you are and confident in the real you. Fill your inner circle with those who accept you the way you are and radiate positivity. The people around you should love you, challenge you, and lift you higher. Some people just suck the life right out of you. Simply let them go, now.
Embrace change. Where there is resistance, flow around it. Where there is opportunity, flow right through it. Let go of your fears, they aren’t real. Live in the now. Find out your life’s true purpose, whatever it is, focus in on what actions you can take to move towards this higher purpose. Become someone who makes a lasting impression on the world with your own amazing creations.
Take the lessons learned from past mistakes, life is all about trial and error. Learn to let go of what you cannot control and allow peace to enter your life. Don’t look to others to validate who you are or affect you in any way. We’ve all got weaknesses and areas in which we lack confidence, accept them and don’t get hung up on them. Know who you are and be confident. Get rid of the negative emotions such as pessimism, resentment, and anger. The world has enough negativity. Don’t contribute to it anymore.
Accept responsibility for everything in your life. Never blame others for your unhappiness. Tell yourself it’s in your hands, because it IS. We have the power and ability to control our own thoughts and feelings, regardless of what is happening to us externally. Feeling in control internally is highly liberating and will make you feel happier. Remember, YOU are enough, and nobody deserves happiness more than you.
Final Thought: