e theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something posi

I have a friend who is alone this holiday season, statistics say that my friend has a far greater chance of depression, than someone surrounded by family and friends. Am I worried about him? Not a bit; sound cold-hearted, it might sound that way, but actually I’m pretty sweet at heart. You see, he has a plan and follows it rather religiously, at least at this time of the year.

His name is Phil and Phil has a positive attitude about life. He wasn’t always like that, but now he looks for the silver lining in every cloud. That doesn’t mean we won’t get rained on, just that the cloud (or difficulties) can also be used positively. Sometimes it’s difficult to follow Phil’s advice, but when I do, I find myself smiling more often. Try it, it works.

There are certain things in life that our beyond our control, realize that, accept it and move on.

There is a lot of truth in the poem:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

If you have a problem that is bigger than you, share it. There are many things that we alone must attend to; but others where we need a helping hand. Ask your friends for help when you need it. In turn, be there for them when they need you.

Walk. Get outside and walk around the block, stroll down the street, hike a local trail. Exercise is a gift and if we allow ourselves to become couch potatoes, not only will our health be affected, but also our mental outlook. Breathe in the sounds, sites and smells of the season.

Excuse me while I finish this doughnut [grin]. Just kidding, most of us (me too sometimes) eat too much sugar. Eat healthy, have an apple instead of a doughnut. A banana instead of a Hershey bar. Enjoy a cup of green tea instead of coffee. The holidays are filled with sugary treats, its okay to sample them, but don’t make them your mainstay.

Relax. Right now, even while you’re reading this, take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, and then exhale slowly and completely. Imagine all the cares and worries of the day being carried away as you exhale. Don’t let the stress of the holidays overcome you, relax and “smell the roses”.

Get enough sleep. With the hectic life many of us lead (June, you’ve got to finish that article!), sometimes it’s difficult to get our 8 hours (8 hours is the average, some may need more, others less) but do your best. Not getting enough sleep can adversely affect your performance and alertness.

Treat yourself. Give yourself something that YOU want. Not necessarily something expensive, but something you really want. A massage, trip to the theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something posit

s advice, but when I do, I find myself smiling more often. Try it, it works.

There are certain things in life that our beyond our control, realize that, accept it and move on.

There is a lot of truth in the poem:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

If you have a problem that is bigger than you, share it. There are many things that we alone must attend to; but others where we need a helping hand. Ask your friends for help when you need it. In turn, be there for them when they need you.

Walk. Get outside and walk around the block, stroll down the street, hike a local trail. Exercise is a gift and if we allow ourselves to become couch potatoes, not only will our health be affected, but also our mental outlook. Breathe in the sounds, sites and smells of the season.

Excuse me while I finish this doughnut [grin]. Just kidding, most of us (me too sometimes) eat too much sugar. Eat healthy, have an apple instead of a doughnut. A banana instead of a Hershey bar. Enjoy a cup of green tea instead of coffee. The holidays are filled with sugary treats, its okay to sample them, but don’t make them your mainstay.

Relax. Right now, even while you’re reading this, take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, and then exhale slowly and completely. Imagine all the cares and worries of the day being carried away as you exhale. Don’t let the stress of the holidays overcome you, relax and “smell the roses”.

Get enough sleep. With the hectic life many of us lead (June, you’ve got to finish that article!), sometimes it’s difficult to get our 8 hours (8 hours is the average, some may need more, others less) but do your best. Not getting enough sleep can adversely affect your performance and alertness.

Treat yourself. Give yourself something that YOU want. Not necessarily something expensive, but something you really want. A massage, trip to the theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something posi

und the block, stroll down the street, hike a local trail. Exercise is a gift and if we allow ourselves to become couch potatoes, not only will our health be affected, but also our mental outlook. Breathe in the sounds, sites and smells of the season.

Excuse me while I finish this doughnut [grin]. Just kidding, most of us (me too sometimes) eat too much sugar. Eat healthy, have an apple instead of a doughnut. A banana instead of a Hershey bar. Enjoy a cup of green tea instead of coffee. The holidays are filled with sugary treats, its okay to sample them, but don’t make them your mainstay.

Relax. Right now, even while you’re reading this, take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, and then exhale slowly and completely. Imagine all the cares and worries of the day being carried away as you exhale. Don’t let the stress of the holidays overcome you, relax and “smell the roses”.

Get enough sleep. With the hectic life many of us lead (June, you’ve got to finish that article!), sometimes it’s difficult to get our 8 hours (8 hours is the average, some may need more, others less) but do your best. Not getting enough sleep can adversely affect your performance and alertness.

Treat yourself. Give yourself something that YOU want. Not necessarily something expensive, but something you really want. A massage, trip to the theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something posi

hold it for a moment, and then exhale slowly and completely. Imagine all the cares and worries of the day being carried away as you exhale. Don’t let the stress of the holidays overcome you, relax and “smell the roses”.

Get enough sleep. With the hectic life many of us lead (June, you’ve got to finish that article!), sometimes it’s difficult to get our 8 hours (8 hours is the average, some may need more, others less) but do your best. Not getting enough sleep can adversely affect your performance and alertness.

Treat yourself. Give yourself something that YOU want. Not necessarily something expensive, but something you really want. A massage, trip to the theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something posi

e theater, new sweater, dinner at a fancy restaurant, this is your gift to YOU.

If you want, you can take things a step further;

The world is a difficult (and sometimes scary) place these days. Don’t dwell on newspaper stories or news reports that emphasize gloom and doom.

Cut down on the television you watch, read a good book instead. If you’re a TV junky, then TIVO till after the holidays. And when guests come to visit, TURN OFF the tube and TURN ON some soothing music, make some tea, tell some stories, play some games, enjoy your family and friends.

Be positive about others. Everyone enjoys being appreciated. Knowing that, think of something positive to say, spread some cheer.

The holidays are a time for reflection; also a time for looking forward to all the possibilities the new year will bring. Remember that behind each rainy day cloud, the sun is still shining.