'Tis The Season
I was listening to one of my favorite radio talk programs today.
The ?topic of the hour was "do you feel burdened by Christmas?"
Much to my amazement the host, and the majority of his guests, spent the better part of an hour whining and moaning about the burdensome nature of the holiday season.
"I hate being with my relatives."
"Why do I have to spend all this money on presents for people I don't like?" "There's too much pressure!" "The traffic in the stores is ridiculous." It went on and on and on!It's a well known fact that people tend to be more depressed during the holiday season.
It can be distressing if you live far away from your family.
Some people actually become depressed because of the decrease in their exposure to sunlight during the winter months.
However, what I heard today was different.
People were just whining! They sounded like young children who were being forced to do their chores.
Then, it hit me.
Those people were suffering from PHLOP!What is PHLOP (pronounced "flop")? Pre-Holiday Lack of Planning!
It is my own term for describing what causes successful people turn into grinches during the holiday season.
Anyone who suffers from PHLOP will experience a range of symptoms that include: anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, overeating (particularly of chocolate), anger, and irrationality.
All of these symptoms cause them to miss out on the true joy that should be experienced during the holiday season. People who suffer from PHLOP get their first dose of anxiety when they begin to consider the enormous list of things to do between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.
There are cards to be sent, gifts to be bought and wrapped, parties to be planned, activities to be enjoyed, and thank you notes to be written.
It's enough to give a person indigestion! Then, add all of the subtasks (e.g., everything that is involved in planning a party) to the list.
By then, that person has a major case of ?indigestion and the beginning symptoms of a migraine.
Of course, the only reason that the person experiences anxiety is because he or she is not organized.Do you suffer from PHLOP?
It's not too late to change things ? even for this holiday season! Consider the consequences of not planning out how you will get everything done before January 31. ?Your tasks will get done at the last minute. They will not be done well. Worst of all, you may not finish them at all! Let's face it, there is nothing worse than looking at a stack of holidays cards that were signed, sealed, and addressed, but just didn't make it to the post office. ?If you would like some help organizing your holiday schedule for this and future Christmas seasons, you should get a copy
UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching's PHLOP busting holiday organizer by visiting our Christmas Corner at:
http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com/holidayplanner.htm .
Let me also take a moment to suggest some things that will help you to enjoy this holiday season.
First, consider making some of your gifts.
People generally think about making gifts only when they are very young, super organized, or short on cash. You need not begin crocheting purses for your friends in August in order to make presents.
Think about baking a few batches of bar cookies and then dividing them up onto colorful Christmas plates.
Wrap them in cellophane and tie them with colorful ribbon. It's easy, cheap, and all your friends will love it.
After all, have you ever had anyone tell you that they did not like a plate full of cookies?
How about buying a number of inexpensive items and putting them in a basket.
The presentation will impress the heck out of the recipient.
Whatever you decide to make, constructing the gift yourself will make it more meaningful to both you and the person who receives it.
Another suggestion to make your holiday bright and joyous is to act like a kid.
Often people will suggest that you view the holidays "through the eyes of a child."
To that I say: "you are missing half of the fun."
Yes, it is a good idea to view things as if you were a child, but remember that actions are just as important as thoughts. For example, consider all those holiday television shows and videos you loved to watch as a child.
Somehow, you have not found the time to watch them for years. Well, this is the year to start that tradition once again.
If you can, watch them with a child. However, it doesn't matter if a child is watching the program with you.
The important thing is to remember to be child-like. How will you ensure that you take on a juvenile persona for the evening? Stock up on all those fun things that a child likes to have available while watching a video.
For example, you should dress in your most comfortable pajamas, grab a cup of cocoa, and fill up a bowl with popcorn.
Then, settle into your most comfortable chair with all the goodies and enjoy watching Snoopy decorate his dog house.
Now, apply that same principle to all of your holiday related activities.
It's all those little extras that will really add joy to the Christmas season. I realize that there may be some readers who feel that they should have begun their holiday planning and organization months ago.
To those people I say: "now is the time to be industrious!"
For example, shopping that has been delayed to the last minute can be remedied in several ways.
Try going to the mall at the very beginning or end of the shopping day. Consider purchasing an unusual gift that can be found somewhere other than a mall.
For goodness sake, do your shopping online! No matter how chaotic and stressful it seems, this holiday season should serve as a life lesson. Make notes for yourself about what went well, what could have been done better, and what was an absolute disaster.
Then, form an action plan for next year.
It's never too soon to get organized!The bottom line is: this is the season to be jolly, make merry, and recall the joy that can fill your life. The holiday season is the time to be child-like.
It is a time to overlook life's little irritations and be grateful for all the wonderful aspects of what has been given to you. I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and a joyous time no matter what holiday you will be celebrating in the upcoming weeks!.
All rights reserved.- begin attachment - © 1998 - 1999 Susan C. Rempel, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.Get motivated with UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching! Motivational products and services for children, parents, and teachers that reinforce positive behavior, good manners, a positive outlook on life, and life success. Supplies for parents and teachers. Games, books, computer games, bingo cards, and toys. Get a copy of our FREE holiday planner. visit us at: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com - end attachment -
Tote Couture
Handbags, purses, totes, clutches, shoulder bags ? I don't care what you call them, I love them all. I am a handbag addict. I have them in a countless array of styles and colors. Trends come and go, but "tote couture" remains. True handbag fashion is timeless.
It is not about seasonal fads, but about creating a personal style and reflecting your good taste.
A good purse will last not only for this season, but also for years to come.
This means investing in quality bags, taking care of your purses and totes, and shopping for styles that work best for you.Here are a few simple rules:The Person-To-Bag RatioDo not carry a bag that overwhelms your body size. Petite women should not be lugging around oversized bags that slap their thighs because they hang too low from the shoulder. Not only does it look bad, but can be harmful to your lower back if your bag is too big and too heavy for your frame.
Conversely, tall women look silly with a wrist purse.
Purses > Tote Couture
Body Language
Body language is fascinating. People rarely recognize how much information they give off and how noticeable it is to the human eye. Even to the untrained human eye. It is said that no less that 50 percent of information on a person's character, impact and credibility is conveyed through no verbal communication.The following is a list of some common body postures and states the persons position.Meanings of body actionsArms crossed: Defensive and cautious.Resting chin on palm: Critical, cynical and negative towards the other person.Dropping eyeglasses onto the lower bridge of the nose and peering over them: Causes negative reactions in others.Slowly and deliberately taking off glasses and carefully cleaning the lens: The person wants to pause and think before raising opposition or asking for clarification.Pinching bridge of the nose: Communicates great thought and concern. Nose-rubbing or nose-touching: A sign of doubt, it often reveals a negative reaction.Rubbing around ears: Performed...
Body Language
Purses > Body Language
How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag
When you finally decide to dish out a large amount of cash for a handbag, youll want to make sure its the real thing you are purchasing and not a cheap knock-off. With the popularity of handbags at the present time, its no wonder so many companies are eager to produce knock-off versions of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other high-fashion handbags. We want to make sure that you know when you are being ripped off so you can spend your well-earned money on something that is truly authentic. Here are some hints which will help you spot a fake designer handbag when you see one:
The Fabric
The fabric used to manufacture top-of-the-line brand name handbags is noticeably different than the material used for fakes. If there is wrong stitching or if the material is flawed in even the slightest manner, chances are it is not a name brand purse.
High-fashion handbags will always...
How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag
Purses > How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag
The World According to Designer Handbags 101
There's a new kid on the block in the wonderful, wacky world of designer handbags.
In case you haven't heard, World According to Jess is taking the fashion accessories industry by storm.
But don't let the amateurish name fool you, this design house is taking no prisoners!
In a relatively short period of time, this company has achieved immense respect and credibility in the industry.
Jessica Alpert-Goldman, namesake and owner of World According to Jess, has firmly entrenched herself in an industry that is not always kind to outsiders.
The designs are bold, quirky, and cute?much like Jess herself.
With an impressive catalogue of designs, and the support of her ever-growing legion of fans, 2006 may just be the year of Jess.
Without a doubt, she is off to a smashing start.
Her bags have already been photographed with famous fashionistas like Beyonce Knowles, Sarah Jessica-Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Lindsey Lohan.
The World According to Designer Handbags 101
Purses > The World According to Designer Handbags 101
The First 11 Days are the Hardest
There's so much to discover in a Mercury Retrograde cycle. We astrologers are happy everyone is catching on, but there's more to it than the usual mess up with computers, electrical appliances, cars, mail and phone messages. Especially now that we're relying more on email, cell phones and the internet, Mercury becomes more important. After all, it was the Uranus in Gemini generation that brought us these fun new toys and Gemini is a Mercury ruled planet.You know Mercury goes retrograde three times...
'Tis The Season
Purses > The First 11 Days are the Hardest
Web Furniture Retailers Embracing Art Yet Another Reason to Shop Online
It seems that once again, the virtual world has outperformed the real world. Online furniture retailers are offering canvas transfers and prints from respected artists alongside their furniture.
I have to confess, I am an avid online shopper. Being a New Yorker, there are two elements to the online shopping experience that make it so much better than going to a local retailer. The first, unquestionably, is convenience.
Trying to get any item of substance around this town...
Web Furniture Retailers Embracing Art Yet Another Reason to Shop Online 'Tis The Season
Purses > Web Furniture Retailers Embracing Art Yet Another Reason to Shop Online