Merry Christmas - My Gift to you
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season. My birthday was last week and between that and the various holiday activities we’ve been participating in with family and friends, it’s been really nice. I’ve loved spending time and connecting with so many people and I feel very grateful for the life I have. Things are by no means perfect, but for the most part, life is really good. I hope it is for you too.
If life is not going the way you want right now, and you feel like you need some help or a fresh perspective, please reach out and let me know. I mean it. Please call me.
I’m happy to be a listening ear if that’s all your wanting, or I’m happy to help coach and support you through this season of life. I don’t have life totally figured out, but I have been through a lot of life experiences and can help with: near death experiences, losing loved ones, career frustration, family strife, divorce in the family, health problems, job loss, financial stress, depression, feeling lonely, feeling stuck, addiction, and more.
Life has it’s share of ups and downs, but I believe that the majority of the time it should be a joyful, uplifting experience. I'm here to lend a hand or an ear, just as others have extended theirs to me when I needed it most. So please, if you're feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, let me help you lighten the load.
Call or text any time: 208-339-7027.
Happy holidays!
Five Facets of Health: Week 31
If you're new to the 5 Facets of Health, learn more here. Avoid trying to implement everything at once! These suggestions are meant to spark ideas. To build healthy habits, focus on one or two aspects over the next week.
Physical Health
This time of year, many of us delay our health and fitness goals until after the holidays. While it's okay to wait, you might also consider getting a head start. Begin with small, manageable changes to your diet, exercise, and sleep routines. For example, you don't have to indulge in every treat you receive. Incorporate a quick 10-minute daily workout of jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups. Consider going to bed a little earlier. These small steps can make a big difference by the time January 2nd arrives.
“Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
— Mother Teresa
Action: Commit to one small health change each day this week.
Mental Health
We talk a lot about peace this time of year. I pray that each of you are able to find mental peace. If there's something disrupting your peace of mind, confront it directly. Lean on the support of friends, family, or professionals if needed. Remember, taking care of your mental health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
“Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health — body, mind, and spirit.”
— Laurie Buchanan, Ph.D.
Action: Make time for mindfulness and meditation this week. Seek out support if needed.
Emotional Health
For this section, I want to share a touching message I recently heard from Gerrit W. Gong:
”A favorite Gong Christmas tradition is to read Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” aloud as a family.
I’ve often wondered why, when we refer to Scrooge, do we think primarily of a grumpy old miser, someone who scoffs at Christmas as a big “humbug”?
Why don’t we acknowledge more the new Scrooge? The new Scrooge who generously sends the prize turkey as a Christmas surprise? The new Scrooge who reconciles with his cheerful nephew Freddie? The new Scrooge who raises Bob Cratchit’s salary and cares for Tiny Tim?
Are there those around us, perhaps we ourselves, who could be a different person if only we would stop typecasting or stereotyping them as their old self?
No person and no family is perfect. We each have foibles and faults—things we wish to do better. This Christmas, perhaps we can receive—and offer—Jesus Christ’s precious gifts of change and repentance, of forgiving and forgetting, for each other and ourselves.
Let us make peace with the past year. Let go of the emotional angst and noise, the frictions and annoyances, that clutter our lives. May we grant each other our new possibilities instead of fixating on our past limitations. Let’s give the new Scrooge in each of us a chance to change.”
“Are there those around us, perhaps we ourselves, who could be a different person if only we would stop typecasting or stereotyping them as their old self?”
— Gerrit W. Gong
Action: Reflect on and let go of one past grudge or stereotype you've held onto.
Spiritual Health
The holiday season is an excellent time to serve others and deepen your spiritual connections. Engage with your community, help those in need, and explore your personal spiritual beliefs. Use your talents and resources to positively impact those around you.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Action: Perform an act of service or kindness this week.
Financial Health
The greatest gifts you will give this holiday season don’t cost any money. Save yourself the financial stress and give others your time, attention, energy, and love. You’ll remember the shared experiences and feelings of love far longer than any toy or present from the store.
“Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life.”
— Rick Warren
Action: Plan a meaningful experience or activity to share with someone special this week.