- Don't overspend. Make a budget for gifts and stick to it.
- Keep gift giving simple. Give homemade gifts such as home baked cookies, certificates for babysitting, house cleaning, or a ride to the airport or doctor's office.
- Invite a friend or neighbor over for lunch or dinner. Go to the movies, or pop popcorn and watch videos.
- Volunteer time to your favorite charity, or visit the sick at a hospital or nursing home. Give toys to a toy drive or donate to your favorite charity.
- Go to church, a synagogue or mosque. Many churches hold candlelight Christmas eve services.
- Treat yourself to a hot bath with scented oils or candles.
- Start a gratitude journal to record all the things you have to be thankful for.
- Exercise and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Get a group of friends together and go caroling.
- Read a good book.
- Read Luke 1:27 to remind yourself of the meaning of Christmas.
- Plan a potluck dinner to avoid having to do all the cooking on Christmas day.
- Laugh much and don't take yourself too seriously.
- Avoid overeating and overdrinking. Too much sugar and alcohol can lead to depression.
- Pray or meditate to stay connected to Spirit.
- Call an old friend you haven't talked to in a while.
- Forgive someone you've held a grudge against.
- Set boundaries on the number of parties you attend, if you are not up to it.
- Play music, sing, and dance.
- Learn something new, or start a new hobby.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Hints for a Happy, Healthy Holiday
The news media portrays the Christmas holidays as one of the cheeriest seasons of the year, however, it can be a stressful and depressing time for many. It is a time when those who are single or divorced may feel lonely or isolated. When the unemployed worry because they may not have enough money to make ends meet, much less buy expensive presents. A time when the homeless huddle in overcrowded shelters. A time when parents are stressed by heavy traffic on the streets and long lines at the mall. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves during the Christmas holidays? Is there any such thing as a perfect Christmas, Kwanza, or New Year's? I doubt it. However, the December holidays can fulfill and enrich the human spirit if we focus on what's important. Here are a few ideas to help make yours less stressful.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Miracle on Christmas Tree Lane
Volunteers for the Christmas Tree Lane Association (CTLA) in Altadena, California have been lighting the giant deodar cedars on Christmas Tree Lane since 1920 when Fred Nash, a local merchant, came up with the bright idea to light the beautiful trees that the Woodbury brothers had planted along the street in 1885. But this year's lighting ceremony was one of the most meaningful. Why? Because the weekend before the ceremony, hurricane force Santa Ana winds not only blew down many of the lights, but knocked down one of the massive deodars and caused power outtages throughout the entire San Gabriel Valley.
Tony and Maureen Ward, Lane Foreman and President of CTLA, admitted after the ceremony that they were surprised they had been able to pull it off. "Up until the day before the ceremony County and Edison crews were still cutting down broken limbs and testing power lines," said Maureen.
Fortunately, folks who came from all over Southern California to witness the ceremony were not disappointed. When the trees lit up, a tremendous cheer rose from the crowd. As Maureen pointed out at the after party, the success of the lighting was a tribute not only to volunteers who worked tirelessly to repair lines, but to LA County and Edison crews.
With an economy mired in one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, this Christmas season is tough for many. But for those who witnessed the 91st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Christmas Tree Lane, this Christmas is a time of miracles.
Tony and Maureen Ward, Lane Foreman and President of CTLA, admitted after the ceremony that they were surprised they had been able to pull it off. "Up until the day before the ceremony County and Edison crews were still cutting down broken limbs and testing power lines," said Maureen.
Fortunately, folks who came from all over Southern California to witness the ceremony were not disappointed. When the trees lit up, a tremendous cheer rose from the crowd. As Maureen pointed out at the after party, the success of the lighting was a tribute not only to volunteers who worked tirelessly to repair lines, but to LA County and Edison crews.
With an economy mired in one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, this Christmas season is tough for many. But for those who witnessed the 91st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Christmas Tree Lane, this Christmas is a time of miracles.
Through the Storm
When I awoke on Friday, Dec. 2 and discovered that the power was still off in my house I began to feel sorrowful. Somehow I had made it through two nights of darkness and was ready to turn on the lights, furnace, and tv. However, driving through the ravaged streets of Pasadena on my way to the doctor's office, I realized just how powerful and destructive the Santa Ana winds had been. Power lines hung like ropes from treetops. Huge eucalyptus and evergreen trees blocked streets. Palm fronds littered yards and sidewalks.
Minutes later, sitting in my doctor's office, I felt ashamed of my self pity as I listened to the young nurse assistant and Latino doctor explain that their homes were also without power. Hearing them reminded me of a story about the Buddha. Once a woman whose child had died came to him seeking counsel for her grief. He told her to go into the village and find a family who had not been touched by death. She went from door to door and found no one who had not suffered the death of a loved one. So she went back to the Buddha and told him she could find no one. The woman learned a great lesson that day -- that suffering is universal. The Buddha was wise. Rather than telling the woman that great truth, he let her see for herself.
If we take the time to step away from our own petty cares and worries, we will see that everyone suffers in one way or another. It is not so much a question of whether we suffer, but how we bear our suffering. The best way is not to be filled with self pity, but to help ease the suffering of others. In doing so, we ease our own.
On Saturday morning, my power was still off, but I had taken on a new attitude. Candles lit every room. A crackling fire in the fireplace warmed the living room. I boiled water to bathe in. Rather than focus on what I did not have, I was grateful for what I had.
Minutes later, sitting in my doctor's office, I felt ashamed of my self pity as I listened to the young nurse assistant and Latino doctor explain that their homes were also without power. Hearing them reminded me of a story about the Buddha. Once a woman whose child had died came to him seeking counsel for her grief. He told her to go into the village and find a family who had not been touched by death. She went from door to door and found no one who had not suffered the death of a loved one. So she went back to the Buddha and told him she could find no one. The woman learned a great lesson that day -- that suffering is universal. The Buddha was wise. Rather than telling the woman that great truth, he let her see for herself.
If we take the time to step away from our own petty cares and worries, we will see that everyone suffers in one way or another. It is not so much a question of whether we suffer, but how we bear our suffering. The best way is not to be filled with self pity, but to help ease the suffering of others. In doing so, we ease our own.
On Saturday morning, my power was still off, but I had taken on a new attitude. Candles lit every room. A crackling fire in the fireplace warmed the living room. I boiled water to bathe in. Rather than focus on what I did not have, I was grateful for what I had.
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