To many of us, the holidays mean gift-giving. Each year we vow that we will start early and dazzle everyone with our thoughtfulness and generosity. We obsess about who to buy for…“What would they like? Where can I get it? And how much money should I spend?”.  Even with all this worry and effort, we often fail to find the perfect gift for that particular person. But, why?

You can feel the shift in energy every year around the holidays. It’s a mixture of excitement and anxiety…what a combination! We assume that we’re always stressed this time of year and that’s just the way it is.  After all, do we really have a choice? Well, of course, we do. Check out the differences between high achievers and perfectionists and see where you fall. Then, make a choice to exercise self-compassion and proper perspective.

Most people in the U. S. think of Thanksgiving as the official launch of the busy holiday season. While that’s true, it’s also the unofficial start of the cold and flu season. Instead of spreading sickness, consider being a carrier of gratitude.  It seems that gratitude, just like a cold, is contagious - and it’s good for your health, too!

True kindness comes from a place that is genuine. It is done to be of service to others, out of genuine care and concern. Authentic kindness carries no expectation of receiving anything in return. Tuesday, November 13, 2018, is World Kindness Day. How will you engage in acts of kindness - on this day and every day? Here are a few ideas to get started.