Celebrate Togetherness, Not ResentmentsWritten by Lynn Cutts
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• If you're a guest, offer to help! No matter what host or hostess says, bring a little something: a small flower arrangement, after dinner candy (chocolate - of course - is always welcome, and mints are great), a bottle of wine. And don't forget thank you note, handwritten, later! It may be a pain, but it will make your hosts feel wonderful. • Go around table and ask everyone to say one thing they are thankful for. You might be surprised what comes up -- and it can start meal off in a wonderful, positive direction. • Reminisce about good times. I know there were some. How can you create more? • Consider planning or suggesting activities other than eating and drinking. Play touch football outside or go for a walk. Bring a board game (yes, it's un-cool) or work on a jigsaw puzzle. It's much more fun to be arguing about landing on Boardwalk than old, un-resolved family issues. • Finally, if you absolutely know it's going to be pure hell, don't go. You don't need aggravation, and neither does anyone else. Make reservations instead of having them.Remember, holidays are about celebrating, not about family therapy, old hurts or resentments. Leave those at home, and you'll have a much better time. (To ensure that everyone is on same page, why not forward them this article?) NOTE: You're welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including "about author" info at end). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lynn Cutts at Lynn@ManageYourMuse.com. Copyright 2004 Lynn Cutts
Lynn Cutts, the Muse of Manage Your Muse, is a life coach, writer, and general chocolate lover. To learn more about Lynn and her coaching, please visit her site at http://www.ManageYourMuse.com.
| | Holiday IntentionsWritten by Lynn Cutts
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What I'm asking you to do is to reach deep down inside yourself, your heart, soul, or whatever you call that special place, and discover what it is you really want this holiday season to mean for you. So, stop, right now. Close your eyes, and lean back in your chair. What is first thing that comes up for you? One way, but by no means only way, you can look at holiday intentions is to remember back to some of best times you've ever had. What were feelings about those times that made them so very special? Are any of those feelings ones you'd like to experience this season? Or is there another, different purpose or feeling you'd like to have? If you're absolutely drawing a blank, here are some ideas for holiday intentions that might get you started on your own: • reconnect with (family, friends, world, Divine Being...) • discover (joy, beauty, wonder...) in (small things, life, myself...) • let go of (negativity, stress, anger, suffering, hate...) • honor (my body, my values, others...) • celebrate (beauty, life, laughter, family,...) • laugh, love, and live (life, in moment,...) So my request of you is that you take some time, this week - today, preferably - and set your intentions for this holiday season. Write them out. Then make several copies of them, and stash them in places where you'll see them frequently throughout next few weeks. Let them remind you that this season is about joy, love, celebration, and beauty, instead of stress, hurry, and rush. And take some time to just be. NOTE: You're welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including "about author" info at end). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lynn Cutts at Lynn@ManageYourMuse.com. Copyright 2004 Lynn Cutts
Lynn Cutts, the Muse of Manage Your Muse, is a life coach, writer, and general chocolate lover. To learn more about Lynn and her coaching, please visit her site at http://www.ManageYourMuse.com.
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