Category: Holiday

"Tis The Season...or not

12/12/2016

Michelle's Dog "Kita"

By Michelle Porchia

This past year has been interesting and divisive to say the least. With the holidays approaching, we need to keep in mind that the holidays can also be divisive. People sometimes feel the need to spend time with family that they otherwise would not. At the same time, many would like to spend time with family but can’t. Family members may live in different areas and may not be able to come together. Family member(s) may be serving in the military (thank you for your service) and are not able to come home for the holidays. And, sadly, some may have lost a family member or a close one and the holidays are going to be a lonely time.

Even though we all don't celebrate the same holiday, be it Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, we also need to be aware that any holiday is not always happy for everyone due to different circumstances.

As we enter this holiday season, I encourage you to keep the following in mind.

Not everyone celebrates the holidays, or a particular holiday, for whatever reason. Be respectful of their feelings.
Not everyone is able to be with family to celebrate, have a good time, and make “merry and bright.” Not everyone gets invited to holiday parties and gatherings. If you know of someone who may be alone during the holidays, invite them to join you (but be respectful of their reason for declining your invitation if they do).
If you invite people who are not part of your family to join you, keep in mind that they may not feel included in topics of conversation so be sure to include them (they don’t know who you are speaking about, the situation, etc.) Also, make sure that there is food that the person can eat (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, have food allergies, etc.).

Make sure to introduce people by name and include the relationship: “This is my cousin Sharon.” "This is my friend John." “This is my great aunt Sally Jones.” (Also be mindful of local traditions and include last names of older people as you introduce them: Mrs. Jones; Miss Sally, etc.).
If this is a particularly difficult time of year for you, create your own traditions/celebrations. Enjoy fond memories and do something you enjoy. Look for the good. Volunteer. Do something for others that will make you feel good but make sure that it is something that they like or want. If they don’t eat sweets, don’t bake them a cake. Perhaps just your visit is a treat enough.
Depression and mental illnesses are real, and may affect many people more acutely during the holidays. Be aware and pay attention, check in on friends and family who seem to have withdrawn or seem to behave differently than they usually do.

It would be nice if everyone could be jolly during this season but that is unfortunately unrealistic. Enjoy the holidays but also sseek ways to help those who may struggle during this time.

If you or someone you know will struggle during the upcoming days, try some of the suggestions above and keep the phone numbers below convenient to share if necessary.

Depression: Call 1-800-488-4673
Suicide: Call 1-800- 273-8255

Love, peace, and virtual hugs,
Michelle

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Give the Gift of Yourself this Christmas Season

12/23/2014

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by Nancy J. Lewis, MS, PHR, RCC

Christmas is a time of love, joy, peace, and happiness. It brings to mind memories of family and friends from past days we have shared time with over eggnog and cookies. This year I challenge you to give the gift of yourself in creative ways. It is important not to stress out because you can’t give the gifts you desire to give. Give the gift of yourself because that’s the gift that means the most. Enjoy the eggnog, cookies, family gatherings, and the love that you feel from loved ones and friends, but don’t get consumed with feeling you have to buy something to make Christmas meaningful. The following tips are things you can do this Christmas season to bring a smile to the faces of family and friends.

Volunteer your services to a nursing home or assisted living community in your local area. Find out what you can do for the seniors in those places. You can consider getting together with family and friends and collect toiletries from hotels and give them those in little bags. You may encourage those in your network to collect socks and take them to those facilities. You can go and read to them, sing Christmas carols and gain wisdom from their life experiences. The key thing is to do something for someone else no matter how small it may seem. You are making a difference to someone when you take the focus off of yourself and desire to touch the lives of those around you with heartfelt love.
Go make to basics. Decide to bake cookies, cakes, or pastries and put them in nice little gift decorated bags or tins and give them away with a handmade card expressing the love you felt while doing this. Get your family members involved in this and let this be bonding time for you and them. Help them see there are other gifts you can give that also have value.
Have a Christmas decorating evening where you invite family and friends to come over and help you put up the tree, hang the garland, and find decorations in the attic. Make a memory of this time and watch the smiles as you converse through the evening of fun and fellowship.
Have a Christmas dinner and ask everyone to bring their favorite dish, memory, and photo. Decide to give out awards for the dishes with the best presentation and create different categories for them. You can get as creative as you want to on this.

These are just a few of the ideas you can use. The key factor to remember is give of yourself and when you do watching the smiles, hearing the laughter, and feeling the love that runs from heart to heart is priceless. Have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with peace beyond measure, joy unspeakable, and love that fills your heart.

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"Tis The Season...or not

Give the Gift of Yourself this Christmas Season

Book Debra, Michelle, Nancy or Carole for your next speaking engagement or training event.
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"Tis The Season...or not

Give the Gift of Yourself this Christmas Season

Book Debra, Michelle, Nancy or Carole for your next speaking engagement or training event.Click Here For Details=======New Post REGULARLY

Archives

Categories

Book Debra, Michelle, Nancy or Carole for your next speaking engagement or training event.
Click Here
For Details

=======

New Post REGULARLY