Hey, Everybody!...

This is a much needed thing during this holiday season...I experience first hand (i work customer service in a retail store) the stresses that people go through with the throngs of crazed shoppers trying to get that $20 DVD player that they will eventually return anyways....sry getting off subject. The holiday season is supposed to be festive and happy and full of joy.....LETS SHOW IT ALREADY!!!!

Hey Sept, I have been far away and grieving but just want to tell you I am also reading. My holiday event is going to be facilitating the children in planning what THEY want from our time together. Be it sledding or cookie factory, making decorations, they are going to do what is in their hearts and I will be in the back ground loving them and along for the ride.

Thanks for the boost, SM!

You have $20 DVD players?? I want that one way up on the top! See it? LOL

Go ahead and rant, Dan. It's good to get it off our chest sometimes... oh, what the heck, all the time!

Can't think of anything better than spending time with the kids and joining in on what their little hearts want to do! Chances are really good that for me, that's probably what I always wanted to do and couldn't.

Hang in, Hun!

Any time, Red!

Hey, if that Dobbie throws a wrench into your works too many times, I'll sure take him off your hands!

"bootstraps" btw are little tabs of extra leather sewn on each side of a boot, to help pull your boots on. .. and back then, "everyone" wore boots in the USA (usually called cowboy boots) The constant tugging on the sides would wear the plain boot out. You can also, when sitting, grab onto bootstraps and use them to pull yourself up from a chair or the ground, like you might grab your knees nowdays...

"You have the right to say, "No."

I'd be in deep doo-doo if I was sitting on the ground, no matter how strong the bootstraps were! LOL I need a crain (or is that "crane") just to get up from the couch! LOL

"One of the surest ways to obtain happiness is to bring happiness to someone else"

Most of us don't really give much thought to happiness. We just know if we're happy or not. If you're not happy, you may go searching for it. You may think happiness will come with material things or relationships. Often it doesn't.

If you feel that people react negatively or offensively to things that you do and say, it may be you're always sharing your troubles with others. After a while, people begin to avoid you and it just makes your unhappiness worse. Nobody wants to be around someone that is always complaining. (Leeway given in support forums. )

Happiness comes from sharing your positive attitude with others. The more you share the more you will get it in return.

Remember, you have a choice and you have the power to attract anything in your life. Try happiness.

"In the long run, what matters most?"
(I would have titled this "The Big Picture.")

With today's busy lifestyles, it's so easy to put your relationships on the back burner and take them for granted. Even though you may have every intention of spending regular time with your partner, hectic schedules get in the way and you end up running in every direction except toward your loved ones.

This is a reminder that your personal relationships are paramount to your personal fulfillment. Be sure to set some time aside each week to rediscover those that mean most to you. Be alone with that person, talk, enjoy your time together and simply renew your relationship.

After all, in this life, your loved ones are what really matters.

"When you try something new, you have very little to lose and so much to gain"
For those of us who are afraid of change.

Of course, success is not guranteed, but that does not mean you should not try. Next time you find yourself asking, "What if I fail?" try turning that question around and ask yourself, "What if I succeed?"

Take comfort in knowing that even if you fail you are still gaining life experiences and increasing what you know.

Think about it. The next challenge you face, you will be that much smarter, wiser and prepared because you tried. And that is success in intself!

There's a Buddhist prayer I like to say to myself whenever I feel down. It makes me feel much more at peace, and I think you'll see why:

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>

May the poor find wealth,
May those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the folorn find new hope,
constant happiness and prosperity.

May those who are frightened cease to be afraid
and those bound be free.
May the weak find power,
and may their hearts join in everlasting friendship.

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nice.

I like the prayer but your tag line is hilarious! LOL

"Change your mental environment. Curl up with a good book."
...or watch a happy movie.

Reading a good book is like taking a mini vacation. Your attention is absorbed and for a while you forget about everyday challenges.

A good book naturally gives you a moment to relax and forget.

Think of a book that you have been meaning to read and pick it up today. It may be an old classic, an old favorite, a biography or something from the best seller list. Next, pour yourself a cup of your favorite tea, find a comfortable couch, curl up and let it take you away.

Bon Voyage!

DUH! Did I just PM you saying I hadn't realized you were back? ooops... hehehe

<font color="purple">WELCOME BACK, {{{{{{{{{{{ ANNA! }}}}}}}}}}}</font>

Just had to post this one. We all really need time alone with ourselves.

"Spend some time alone everyday"

Spending time alone develops the internal friendship that each person needs to be truly happy.

It's a time when you ask yourself what you would like to change about yourself and your life. It's a time to explore your dreams and fantasies and to see if there are any you want to accomplish now. It's also a time to listen to yourself and make plans.

If your schedule is so busy that you feel you never have time to yourself, use the time in the shower, or your commute to work.

Make it a priority to devote time to your internal friendship. As the friendship builds, so will the trust you have in yourself.

"Having compassion for others requires having compassion for yourself."

Self-compassion is the ability to achnowledge your shortcomings, your vulnerability and your humanness and still perceiveyourself as the lovable person that you are.

You can never truly give to another if you feel empty inside. You can force yourself to give, but your giving won't be genuine and you will feel resentful. That's why it's so important to care for yourself first. You cannot give a gift you do not have.

Practice self-compassion today. Meet your deepest need, take time for yourelf, listen to and feel your emotions and know that they are okay, because you are a person and you are human.