Posts Tagged: coping

Experiencing The Holiday Spirit

December 28th, 2015
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Christmas Candles

Don’t you find that every Christmas has its own vibe and dynamic?

I reminisce about Christmases past and there are things that stand out that I will never ever forget.

From childhood Christmases, there is always the cozy sounds of Johnny Mathis while running around in my pajamas getting ready to put out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.  Adult Christmases bring back loving memories of my late husband and those first Christmases with our young son.  I remember those Christmases as being simple in decorations and gifts and always having a feeling of innocence.

And then there … Read More

You Are Merrily Appreciated

December 24th, 2015
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  I pause today to extend my best wishes to all no matter what holiday you may celebrate this time of year. Throughout this holiday season, may peace and joy be with you and your families. Holidays are great opportunities to celebrate life but I find they are also difficult to manage because we bring so many emotions and expectations to them each and every year.  Don’t think I am being a Scrooge when I say that the decorations, the music, the food, and the rituals are important, but I am of the mindset these days that if something doesn’t… Read More

Oh Fallen Christmas Tree

December 21st, 2015
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I was working on the computer this past weekend when I heard a sudden “thud” upstairs in the living room. As I ran up the steps to see what had happened, I had a sick feeling in my stomach that I knew what had fallen to make that sound. When I came around the corner and reached the living room, I found I was unfortunately right about the origin of that dull thud on the wooden floor. My beautiful Christmas tree had fallen.  With all of its lights and ornaments on it. And it was laying partially across the living… Read More

Holiday Breathing Space

December 11th, 2015
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As the calendar pulls me closer to the holidays, I am feeling those inner twinges that happen when my time starts being crunched by competing priorities at work and home. I try to look ahead and plan to prevent this feeling of running out of time to shop, cook and decorate but this year, somehow, it snuck up on me. It started a few days ago when I thought I knew what to buy for some family members and then I found out that the person already had the thing I had in mind and then some of the other… Read More

Holiday Temptations

December 4th, 2015
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Photo Courtesy of Katie Lee Kitchen Oh my goodness! A few days ago, I looked in the refrigerator and spied the last containers of homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing and I couldn’t take it anymore. I hate to waste food yet I had to throw the rest of the Thanksgiving leftovers away!  I know I overindulged over the holiday and it was yummy and fun but it also is time for the food party to stop. But it’s really hard, right?  I know it is for me.  Maybe it’s a little easier for you.  I definitely like to think you… Read More

The Boys In The Boat — NonFiction

November 30th, 2015
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Having a holiday break is so great on many levels. I’m not on a regular schedule, I’m surrounded by homemade holiday food and I have the time to read.  Over this past Thanksgiving break, I had the extra time to finally finish an amazing and beautifully written  book that I enjoyed so much I would like to recommend it to you: The Boys In The Boat. Officially,  The Boys In The Boat is a true story about nine young working class American boys and their gritty quest to win the gold medal in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  But… Read More

A Renewing Morning Intention

November 2nd, 2015
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Every day I choose to begin the day with a healing intention. I promise it doesn’t take much time. Often before we even open our eyes after a night’s sleep, our minds are taking in conflicting thoughts. Maybe we have an early morning appointment.  Maybe we don’t feel well.  Maybe we need to get the kids off to school.  Maybe we need to get to work.  Maybe we have all of these things going on and the morning has already slipped into an crazy example of life in the fast lane. Instead of trying to keep up with the snowballing… Read More

The Martian and Grief

October 12th, 2015
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Actor Matt Damon Plays An Astronaut In the newly released movie, The Martian My 25-year-old son went to see the new Matt Damon movie, The Martian, the other night and he was telling me that he enjoyed it a lot because it made him think about his deceased father. The Martian is a new movie about an astronaut who is mistakenly left on Mars, presumed to be dead after a fierce storm.  It’s a warm science fiction, adventure techie kind of movie that pokes fun at the geekier side of life. My son’s Dad was an award-winning journalist who covered… Read More

Constructive Living

September 28th, 2015
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So I find myself in an emotional place where I constantly feed my soul and busy brain with positive thoughts about life and the people that I care about. I also am working on centering myself through mediation and am learning the value of breathing. And I pray all the time: in the morning when I wake up, in the car, at work, at the grocery store and before I fall asleep. Yet several frustrating situations in my personal life continue to happen. Over and over again.  Even when I try to take regular breaks from the stress of them.… Read More