The bright side is, it doesn’t have to be that way! By developing a simple routine, you can keep paper flow under control and have everything filed for easy retrieval.

Daily Paper Strategies

- Keep a recycle bin in an easily accessible location so you have no excuse not to toss items in while you are handling them Remember to shred documents with sensitive information.

- Don’t put stack of mail down until you have sorted out junk and deposited those items directly in trash or recycle bin; designate a fixed "home" for other major categories of mail (bills, to be filed, reading material, requires action, etc.) and be vigilant about immediately putting items where they belong. You'll be amazed by how much time you'll save with this tactic alone!

- Open all envelopes immediately, keep only necessary contents and toss or recycle remainder before it can even hit counter

- Analyze your newspaper and magazine subscriptions; do you read everything you subscribe to in a timely manner? If not, consider canceling some subscriptions and buy publication individually when you REALLY want to read it.

- Don’t save entire newspapers or magazine for one or two articles or recipes; options are many -- tear page out on spot and place in your recipe file or reading stack; if it's a long term keeper, consider scanning it into your computer for later use; also you need to remember that you can find almost anything on internet -- don't save unnecessary information either in paper or electronic format!

- Approach kids' school papers in an organized manner; have a storage box for items you want to keep; read and toss flyers on spot (have your calendar nearby to write down key dates so you don't have to keep fliers); sign any necessary items immediately and have your child place in their backpack to return

Filing System

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Title: What to Do When You Are Alone for Holidays Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D. E-mail: mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com Copyright: © 2004 by Margaret Paul URL: http://www.innerbonding.com Word Count: 723 Category: Self Improvement

What to Do When You Are Alone for Holidays By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Being alone for holidays is a major challenge for many people. Holidays often conjure images of family, of warmth and sharing of special time. Loneliness can be overwhelming when you have no one with whom to share holiday time.

Many people, however, miss point of what holidays are really about and what makes them special. Holidays are not about what you GET – they are about what you GIVE. Many people are under misconception that joy of holidays is about what you receive rather than about what you share. Our hearts get filled with love when we give and share love, rather than from getting love.

This may seem like a paradox. Many people spend their time with others attempting to get love, attention and approval, thinking that this is what makes them feel happy and worthy. But getting attention from others to fill ourselves is like eating chocolate when you are lonely – it works for moment but then you need more and more of it. Eventually it becomes an addiction.

What really fills emptiness is giving of love. If you are alone over holidays, question becomes, “How can I give love in ways that will bring me joy?”

Below are some suggestions for sharing your love and caring over holidays:

* Gather toys from friends and store donations and bring them to children who would not otherwise have toys. You can find these children through schools, churches and various other organizations.