Holidays
-
Post-holiday musings
“Today is the day the post-holiday blues usually drop in for their annual visit. After any strenuous exertion, especially one that’s lasted several weeks, there’s a natural letdown in energy and enthusiasm.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance Like clockwork, holiday letdown almost always follows a festive series of events — no matter which winter holiday we celebrate. At the beginning of December, our energy runs high as we plan for parties and concerts, decorate our homes, and create special memories for loved ones. Our usual routines and responsibilities — even our worries — are temporarily suspended. Then the holiday arrives … and then it’s over … in a minute! We…
-
Abundance mentality
“People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose: There is only so much, and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for them. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality — and the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to — rather than detracts from — our lives.” ~Stephen R. Covey As Thanksgiving approaches, we’ll be seeing and hearing the word “abundance” more often. Years ago, when I first heard about “abundance mentality,” I assumed it was metaphysical nonsense. Thankfully, entrepreneurial…
-
Halloween people
“Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas.” ~Stephen Graham Jones It’s no secret that I’m a major Halloween fan. Every year, I eagerly await the start of the spooky season, and usually start decorating on October 1st. One of my friends calls me “The Halloween Queen” because she doesn’t know anyone who collects as many Halloween decorations and accessories as I do. To be fair, some of those items (including a set of Halloween wine glasses) were gifts from others who’ve indulged my affection for the holiday. For me, Halloween always stirs a cauldron of happy childhood memories — making costumes with my…
-
Father’s Day
“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.” ~Umberto Eco, Foucault’s Pendulum I credit my passion for inspirational quotes to my father. He was the sort of guy who saved his favorite college textbooks. The Dialogues of Plato sat front and center on Dad’s bookshelf, for instance, and sometimes he reread underlined passages from it. I’ve kept this treasure in my own library ever since he died in 1992, and I love reading his student notes in the margins. Dad appreciated the humanities as much as he enjoyed…
-
Lessons
“Packaged inside every mistake is a great lesson. And while I don’t want to take the mistake into the new year, I most certainly want to take the lesson that’s packaged inside it.” ~Craig D. Loundsbrough Photo by Cindy La Ferle
