One of my favorite things about December is that I always see and hear from so many friends. I love getting Christmas cards, and I anticipate spending good, quality time with our families around the holidays.
This week a neighbor stopped by with a plate of homemade goodies. It made my night! We only chatted for ten minutes, but those ten minutes warmed my heart, something desperately needed in light of the tragedy in our country.
Both my parents and my husband's parents spent last weekend with us to watch our daughter's Christmas dance recital. Now, I know many, many women with strained in-law relationships. I also have plenty of friends with strained parent relationships. And, I hesitate to even write this, but in the end, I want you all to know what a blessing I consider our parents to be.
We have always been able to host our families in our house with no drama. Our parents are true role models, because they make an effort to get along with each other. My parents and my husband's parents place a high value on Christian morals--and they walk the walk.
How is this a one-minute vacation?
Some friends and family members make us better people. When they show up or call or write a card, our hearts expand--our lives improve because of them.
But some of our relationships bring stress--stress that we didn't cause, but that we have to deal with at high-tension times like Christmas.
When you dread the people who bring you stress, remember that you--like my parents and my husband's parents--can simply walk the walk. You might not be able to "fix" troubled relations, but you can be a light to the people around you.
In the meantime, think of the people in your life who bring you joy. Go ahead! Smile! They're wonderful, aren't they?
Do you have good role models? Who are they? If you don't, can you be the role model you always wanted?
Have a terrific day!
Showing posts with label Christmas preparations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas preparations. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Pressure Cooker of November
I blinked and almost missed it. November!
How did November, that crazy pressure cooker of a month, fly by so quickly?
I didn't participate in NaNoWriMo this year, but I did set a goal of adding 40,000 words to my current manuscript. I'm on track to meet that goal. Yay!
Goals I'm not on track to meet? Just about everything else!
Yes, I still have Halloween decorations up. No, shopping isn't even close to being done for Christmas. In fact, I just started. Christmas cards? Haven't bought 'em.
To make matters worse, I keep thinking I should be making the most of Cyber Week, where Christmas shoppers supposedly find great deals on the Internet for gifts. The whole thing confuses me. I go to a site, say Target.com, and I don't really know which toys are deals and which aren't. Some sites, like Old Navy, offer a blanket discount on your purchase. Too bad the items I'm interested in are sold out.
No matter. I'll shop eventually. The tree will go up with all its lights and bulbs this weekend. And I'll break down and buy some Christmas cards at some point.
November is busy, and it's easy to feel like I'm not getting anything done, but when Christmas rolls around, I know I'll somehow have shopped for all the gifts, the house will twinkle with pretty decorations, and my manuscript will be tucked away, all written, ready to be revised in the new year.
That's the nice thing about pressure cookers--they gets things cooked quickly!
How are you doing on your goals?
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
How did November, that crazy pressure cooker of a month, fly by so quickly?
I didn't participate in NaNoWriMo this year, but I did set a goal of adding 40,000 words to my current manuscript. I'm on track to meet that goal. Yay!
Goals I'm not on track to meet? Just about everything else!
Yes, I still have Halloween decorations up. No, shopping isn't even close to being done for Christmas. In fact, I just started. Christmas cards? Haven't bought 'em.
To make matters worse, I keep thinking I should be making the most of Cyber Week, where Christmas shoppers supposedly find great deals on the Internet for gifts. The whole thing confuses me. I go to a site, say Target.com, and I don't really know which toys are deals and which aren't. Some sites, like Old Navy, offer a blanket discount on your purchase. Too bad the items I'm interested in are sold out.
No matter. I'll shop eventually. The tree will go up with all its lights and bulbs this weekend. And I'll break down and buy some Christmas cards at some point.
November is busy, and it's easy to feel like I'm not getting anything done, but when Christmas rolls around, I know I'll somehow have shopped for all the gifts, the house will twinkle with pretty decorations, and my manuscript will be tucked away, all written, ready to be revised in the new year.
That's the nice thing about pressure cookers--they gets things cooked quickly!
How are you doing on your goals?
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
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