Heart Filled Holidays Conversations

You’ve heard me talk about Heart Filled Holidays Conversations and I can’t emphasize enough just how helpful these chats can be. This can be anything from chatting with your husband or kids and asking them what they really love to do during the holidays to telling someone you won’t be visiting them during the holidays this year.

Whatever the conversation, fun or difficult, large or small, these talks can change your holidays completely. They can shape your decisions. They can change your stress levels. They can alter your traditions.

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Changing holiday plans can be like combating a runny nose

I was trying to work the other day but was bothered by my cold and the runny nose that goes with it. I decided to get a cup of the herbal tea I usually use to combat this annoyance. I drank a cup and it made absolutely no difference. So I read the directions which said to drink 1-2 cups then drink another cup every 3-4 hours. So I made myself another cup and I waited.

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Ask the Dog

I was watching my husband try to convince our dog to come out of my office and go with him. He was being really nice, had a smile on his face and was cajoling for all he was worth. But the dog just laid on his bed and looked at Tom without moving a muscle. There was no way he was getting up.

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Are You Making an _ _ _ Out of Yourself?

The other day I experienced one of those blinding-flash-of-the-obvious moments. It had been really hot and humid so we had been running the air conditioning for several days. Then, in the early afternoon, I went out to run some errands…and it was gorgeous! It was 76 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze. And here we had spent the morning inside the house, complaining that it was kind of warm in there, when we could have opened the windows and enjoyed the wonderful weather.

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What about today?

When it comes to enjoying our holidays and special celebrations we can all come up with a nice long laundry list of things we want our family members to do, or not do, that we think will make things better. You want your family to… Help you more with holiday preparations Get along on the holidays [...]

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Pick your battles

“Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.” ~ Jonathan Kozel

When we are the one planning a celebration we can tend to get a little overprotective of our own vision for the event. We have created an image in our mind and that is exactly what we intend to create. That’s a great way to start out but, unless your goal is just to orchestrate a beautiful event, you will likely be happier if you are willing to give in a little.

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That’s an interesting perspective

I was blown away by Lisa’s simple advice on yesterday’s Heart Filled Holidays radio show! Just one comment changed everything for me as it shifted the way I think about communication. The idea that we have control over our message feels really great. It takes away the helplessness we sometimes feel when faced with a difficult relationship in our life. It gets rid of the whining and moves us forward, looking for solutions.

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Two great tastes that taste great together

I saw two comments from friends on FaceBook that combine perfectly, just like chocolate and peanut butter. And just like chocolate and peanut butter it may seem like an odd combination but give it a chance and you might become as addicted as I am to Reese’s!

One friend said, “Did you ever notice your plate is overflowing , but …

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Fun for Everyone!

Celebrations usually involve getting together with those we care. However, a few people can feel overwhelmed by the work involved…

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Mrs. Butterworth vs. Hungry Jack

We’re experiencing the battle of the syrup in our house. Everyone is taking sides and making lots of noise about which brand they want Dad to buy. But as I listened to the debate I made an interesting discovery… it isn’t just about the syrup.

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