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A Few Things To Stay Mindful Of This Season

I know how easy it is to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, so I wanted to remind you of a few things this season.

1.  Love yourself.  There’s a really good book/audio you can gift yourself with.  It’s called, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It. Author, Kamal Ravikant is a beautiful soul.  I think you’ll enjoy it!

2.  Laugh. You know what they say, laughter is the best medicine and it’s absolutely free.  The holidays, as joyful as they are, can trigger an array of emotions.  There’s no better antidote for stress then a good laugh.

3.  Stay organized. If you feel like “things” are getting out of control, now’s the time to stay mindful of what’s important in your life. The Mindful Tools for Organized Living series will assist you with that.  It’s a must!

Oh, and in 2020, I’ll be offering a brand new workshop; A New Year’s Guide to Purging and Organizing!  So, stay tuned!

Till then my dear friends, have a beautiful holiday season and stay safe!

A Thanksgiving To Remember

A Thanksgiving To Remember

Remembering Your Departed Loved Ones

As we enter this day of Thanksgiving and we count our blessings,  there may be people who have passed on from our lives that we deeply miss.  Although we may feel sad, we can still honor them with the same joy of Thanksgiving as if they are still here.Here is an excerpt from James Van Praagh’s article – Remembering Your Departed Loved Ones During The Holidays that you may find helpful:

When you are enjoying an almost perfect holiday event this season and think to yourself “I wish Dad was here to enjoy this” comfort yourself with the knowledge that he is closer than you think!
*    Acknowledge those who have passed in a special way – display a favorite holiday photo of that person, make their favorite recipe, or use a serving piece that belonged to them during the meal. You can even set them a place at the table- any small gesture that brings them closer will be appreciated!
*    Encourage family members to share a memory. Pick a time where everyone can share a memory or story about the person who has passed. Let the dead know that they are loved and remembered.
*    Be open to signs. Be open to subtle scents, sounds, and thoughts that signal the presence of your loved ones – and respond to them, “hi mom!” so Spirit knows you are aware of them.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY MOTHER
MARGARET “PEGGY” DONNELLY GIORDANO
Mommy -

HOLIDAY STRESS

HOLIDAY STRESS
Did you know that holiday stress has a particular impact on women?
According to a US Holiday Stress Report, “Women generally take charge of many of the holiday celebrations, particularly the tasks related to preparing meals and decorating the home.In addition, they have a harder time relaxing during the holidays and are more likely to fall into bad habits to manage their stress, like comfort eating.”
The report also revealed that the holidays have an impact on lower middle income individuals. “This group feels the weight of stress from work plus the seasonal rush to find time to get everything done.In addition, their worries about money are heightened by the commercialism of the season and the pressure to spend a lot of money.”
Last week I offered a tel-class that covered holiday stress and I mentioned that I would be offering a follow-up workshop.
The goal of this workshop is to keep you mindful of your emotional triggers and  financial budget so you can enjoy the season without the additional stress and worry.
THIS IS AN ON-LINE EVENT THAT WILL TAKE PLACE ON:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH,
7:30-9:00 PM ET
INCLUDED IN THE WORKSHOP:
  • PowerPoint Presentation
  • Workbook
  • Q&A Time
  • Recording for Future Reference
As my way of giving back to you during this season, I have priced this event at only $69.99
It is jam packed with incredible value that will keep on giving way beyond the holiday season.
I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

HOLIDAY CLUTTER RESCUE WORKSHOP

HOLIDAY CLUTTER RESCUE WORKSHOP
Is CLUTTER keeping you up at night?

holiday stress

Emotional clutter is just as overwhelming as physical clutter – and usually they go hand-in-hand!

In Tuesday’s tel-class I will be sharing with you all the details about my upcoming:

CLUTTER RESCUE WORKSHOP

It’s just in time for the holidays – to get you prepared and help keep your sanity in the process.

So don’t miss out – I’ll be giving you the scoop Tuesday Night!

REGISTER HERE

Holiday Tips to De-Stress

Looking for tips to help you de-stress during the holidays?

Holiday De-Stress Tips

Here are some ideas to help you along your way:

  • Nurture Yourself: Set aside relaxation time – (yes, I am serious – make the time to relax – take a bubble bath, light scented candles, curl up to a good book.)
  • Spend time with positive people who enhance your life – (during the holidays we may have to be around people who cause us stress – so connecting with people you really like at this time is important.)
  • Do something you enjoy every day – (this will help balance you out and lift your spirits – go for a walk, play with your pet, meditate.)
  • Keep your sense of humor – (now come on, you know laughter is the best medicine of all – watch a good comedy, call a friend who always makes you laugh –  remember to just keep smiling)

And remember, try not to get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays – they are meant to be enjoyed!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays From Me To You!

 

Dear Readers,

I wish you a Happy Holiday Season and prosperity for the New Year!

I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to continuing our relationship in the new year.

My wish for you is that you may find inner simplicity that connects with your passion.

My Very Best,

Patricia

xoxo

 

 

 

Holiday Tips for Tipping

Holiday Tips for Tipping

Regardless of our economic state of affairs, some things simply do not change.  There is this expectation of us to be generous during the holidays to the people who provide us service – and rightfully so.

The question then becomes, who are the folks we should be tipping and what is the appropriate amount? In addition, if we are facing financial challenges, what can we offer in lieu of this?

If you think about it, end-of-the-year gratuities are a way to say thank you to the people we appreciate because they make our lives better, happier or simpler in some fashion.

Etiquette authorities state that there are simple ground rules you follow to help determine how much you should give, such as:

  • Quality of service
  • Frequency of service
  • How long you have used the service
  • Regional custom
  • Your budget

Now let’s take a look at some of the service providers that may be applicable for you to tip:

  • Barber
  • Cleaning Person
  • Hairdresser
  • Mail Carrier
  • Manicurist
  • Pet Care Provider
  • Sanitation Worker

With respect to how much is appropriate to tip, according to a poll by Consumer Reports, the average starting tip was $15.00 going up to $50.00 based on your history with that person. Here again, if money is tight and you have to be selective, it may help to consider who really needs it the most.

There are other ways to let someone know how much you appreciate them and to say thank you.  Sometimes a handwritten note with heartfelt words speaks volumes.  Home baked goods are always a sweet treat that people love to receive.  Remember, it’s the quality of your acknowledgement that makes a lasting impression.

Tip:  When frequenting your favorite restaurant, tipping the wait staff, maitre d’ and bartender are all acceptable.  You never know, you just may find your service and table location improves.

Thinking Outside The Box

A funny thing happened while I was holiday shopping this season.

I was cruising around from store to store, checking off items on my gift list, feeling very productive and happy, yet, oddly enough, in just about every store I made a purchase from, I came up empty handed for gift boxes. It was either the store ran out of them (of course, this always happened when I was the next in line) or they simply did not give out boxes. When I inquired why, they stated it was no longer part of their policy.

In some of the larger department stores it was not so much a problem, but what I did find interesting is that some of the better known stores were no longer gift wrapping.  In any event, I just couldn’t wrap my arms around the concept that stores didn’t give out boxes anymore.  Some stores, however, did provide boxes if you were willing to pay for them. Pay? I didn’t realize we were paying for boxes now.

You see, ordinarily I make it a point to ask for a gift box all year round when shopping.  I like to stockpile (within reason of course) because you never know when you are going to need a gift box.  However, in the midst of recently de-cluttering my house, I discarded most of my boxes, thinking that I could always replenish my stock later.

Now I was feeling a little frustrated and a tad concerned about how I was going to wrap my gifts if I didn’t have enough boxes.  At times, I thought of gift bags, but unless it is the ideal gift for a bag, a box is what you really need. By the way, where do you buy gift boxes? I thought the point was to have the box from where you just purchased the gift. Unless of course, you are re-gifting and then that brings up a whole other story.

It was at that moment, I found a new appreciation for gift boxes.

Ironically enough, I found this a little comical, since I teach people how to “let go” of their things that they have been clinging onto for years. Yet, here I am, faced with the very problem that feeds into the reason why people want to hold onto their stuff. I do admit, it is interesting that it appears to be whenever you throw something out, you end up needing it.  (I think I’m being tested here…)

So in order to make some sense out of this and be fair to both points of view, the following system is what I came up with to find some middle ground on what boxes need to be saved, and which ones can be disposed of.  Just try to make sure you take the time to think about the true need and necessity when saving and you set limitations on your quantity.

A parcel of space

Parcel boxes that are not all stamped up and written on are worth saving for shipping items or packaging bigger gift items. For example, this holiday, I purchased a mattress cover, pillows, and sheet set for someone and rather than individually wrapping each item, I put them all in a brown box that I had saved and wrapped it all together.

Is it really from Tiffany’s?

For me, there is something off-color about putting an item I purchased from a brand name store and wrapping it another store’s box. So, unless you are comfortable with that, I would say toss the boxes you know you will never really gift in and keep the others.

Beautiful boxes

Nicer boxes can be difficult to dispose of because they are so beautifully packaged. When it comes to this type of box, you may consider storing some items in there that are dear to your heart, such as jewelry or love notes.

Big-ticket boxes

Big-ticket items, such as computers, televisions, and stereos come in large boxes but become a necessity if you need to send anything out for warranty repairs. I would say a year is a smart time limit here, and, in the meantime, rather than leaving them empty, store something in them temporarily.

 

 

Thankful Traditions For The Holidays

Tips to Balance Your Life and be Thankful for this Holiday

The word tradition comes from the Latin word – traditio – which means “to teach.”  Holiday Traditions are about handing down something we believe in from generation to generation.   Traditions are so important because it is a way we can express to our loved ones how much they mean to us. Think of it as having a built in ritual or routine we can rely on that allows us to bond with our families. At the end of the day, we can always say we are thankful – but having traditions around the holidays is a way to make us feel special and create memories that are priceless.

Here are 3 traditions that can help you create memories:

  1.  Round Robin

Everyone holds hands around the dinner table and each person takes a turn to express their feelings and give thanks.

  1.  The White Envelope

You can decorate your tree or simply give out a white envelope that encloses something you know that person would like, i.e., gift certificate, tickets to a show, etc.  A budget is predetermined and everyone is equal in spending amount.

  1.  Grab Bag

Establish a budget for your gift, then set a time prior to holidays to select who you will be purchasing for or everyone sets the amount of spending ahead of time and you do a pot luck grab bag.  Either way it’s fun!

With all the festivities and planning ahead, it’s not unusual around the holiday season to feel overwhelmed or stressed about all the things that need to get done.    Here are a few tips to help keep you balanced and mindful.

Establish Routines

The key to keeping your life simple is to create simple routines.  How you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your day.  Try to prepare the night before.

Make A Most Important Task List (MIT)

Set just 3 very important things you want to accomplish each day. Don’t start with a long list of things you probably won’t get done by the end of the day. A simple list of 3 things, ones that would make you feel like you accomplished something.

 Leave Space Around Things In Your Day

Whether they are appointments, or things you need to do, don’t stack them back-to-back. Leave a little space between things you need to do, so you will have room for contingencies, and you’ll go through your day much more relaxed.

Go For Quality, Not Quantity

Try not to have a ton of stuff in your life … instead, have just a few possessions, but ones that you really love, and that will last for a long time.

Simplify Your Wardrobe

Is your closet bursting full? Are your drawers so stuffed they don’t close? Simplify your wardrobe by getting rid of anything you no longer wear. Try creating a minimal wardrobe by focusing on simple styles and a few solid colors that all match each other.

Find Inner Simplicity

This could be time praying or communing with God, or time spent meditating or journaling or time spent in nature. However you do it, working on your inner self is worth the time.

Always Ask Yourself 

Will this balance and simplify my life?  If the answer is no, reconsider.

 

Happy Holidays from Keep It Simple Now – Enjoy Your Free Podcast

Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year.  Thank you for being our customer.  We look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming year.

As a token of our appreciation, we hope you enjoy listening to Patricia’s segment on the Holistic Health & Wellness Podcast, brought to you by Wellnesspossibilities.com

Simply click on the link below to listen to your FREE Podcast.  Enjoy!

http://www.wellnesspossibilities.com/img/Podcast/HolisticHealthAndWellness-Episode89.mp3