Thought for Wednesday,
Dec. 31: Today is a time of reflection.
What have you done this past year that you enjoyed?
Why not plan to do it again next year? What tasks are
you responsible for that make you feel overwhelmed?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be happier in
the long run, and so will those around you.
Thought for Tuesday,
Dec. 30: Planning a New Year's
party this year? Give my husband, the ER doc, and his
colleagues, a break this year, and be safe on the roads.
Never drink and drive, and be particularly on the lookout
for those early partiers who still haven't learned their
lesson.
Thought for Monday,
Dec. 29: Remember to drink a
lot of water to keep yourself hydrated during the dry
days of winter. You southerners appreciate all that
humidity! It keeps the wrinkles from forming. But it
still doesn't excuse you from drinking water to clear
out impurities that might have been in those extra foods
you've eaten.
Thought for Sunday,
Dec. 28: As you begin to contemplate
your possible New Year's resolutions, resolve to make
it easy on yourself. That way, it won't be so easy to
fail. Resolve to be kinder to yourself, to learn to
love your reflection in the mirror, to give honest praise
to those who have earned it, and honest appreciation
to those whom you love. Habits take time to form, but
kindness is a good habit to begin today.
Thought for Saturday,
Dec. 27: Don't go shopping today.
You'll thank yourself later!
Thought for Friday,
Dec. 26: Freeze all leftovers
in separate containers for later. Don't make yourself
sick of turkey or ham or dressing, etc. Eat a salad.
Snack on fruit. Make a healthy smoothie, and allow your
body a chance to recover from some possible overindulgence.
And remember, the celebration is never over.
Thought for Thursday, Dec. 25: This
is the day that was chosen for us to celebrate the birth
of Christ. Keep in mind, however, that Jesus probably
wasn't born on December 25--or the Jewish equivalent.
Every day is a gift from God, and cause for celebration.
So spread the cheer throughout the year. And don't overeat.
You'll thank yourself tomorrow.
Thought for Wednesday, Dec. 24: Hosting
a family dinner? Stop worrying about cleaning house.
People who love you will come to see you, not do a white
glove inspection for dust under your bed. If they're
coming for that, then ask them to keep their comments
to themselves, or at least out of your hearing. If possible,
set up food and drinks so guests can serve themselves.
It makes things so much easier on you. Accept any offers
for help with cleaning after the meal. Not only will
this be easier for you, but you will be able to spend
quality time with those kind souls who want to help.
You might even have special gifts on hand for those
who volunteer to help.
Thought for Tuesday, Dec. 23:
Need another tip for relaxing? One
of my favorite bedtime drinks is chamomile and spearmint
tea, which I purchase separately at our local herb
store, then brew together. Sometimes I brew a whole
pot, and drink the whole afternoon while working.
The chamomile has a calming effect, and the spearmint
improves the flavor. If you prefer ginger to spearmint,
that works better if you have any trouble with digestion.
Check out your local herb shop and see what varieties
of teas are available.
Thought for Monday,
Dec. 22: No time for last minute
shopping? Visit a bookstore. Of course, you would expect
me to say that, but what better gift can you give someone
who loves to read? Gift certificates to a favorite bookstore
is even better. Give a loved one a store full of choices.
I can think of nothing better I would like for Christmas--except
maybe a nice, long hike in the woods.
Thought for Sunday,
Dec. 21: Tis the time for Christmas
parties, and candy and cake and eggnog and all those
tempting things that attack our arteries in a major
way. But you can do your part to encourage healthy eating.
Instead of a fat-and-sugar laden dessert, take a tray
of decorative fruit or veggies with delicious dip to
your next party. It doesn't hurt to indulge once a year
(yeah, right, like it's only going to happen once) but
it also doesn't hurt to fill up, first, with the nutritious
stuff, and give your stomach a little time to feel satiated
before hitting the other goodies. You'll thank yourself
later.
Thought for Saturday, Dec. 20:
How many hours a day do you watch television? Don't
you just love the news channels, which are always filled
with doom and gloom? Give yourself a break today, and
avoid that noisy box. Read instead, or sit down and
look at old pictures. Visit friends and play games.
It's no wonder Amish novels are so popular. I imagine
there are many, many people who fantasize about living
a quieter, gentler life. We did this a few years ago
by disconnecting to cable. We have an old television
hooked up to a VCR and a DVD machine, and we watch the
movies or television sitcoms we enjoy, without the noisy,
irritating commercials. We can pick and choose, trade
DVDs with friends, and stop allowing the television
media to control our lives. We also have an unwritten
rule that we will not sit idly in front of the television,
but we exercise while watching. It's a great incentive!
Thought for Friday, Dec. 19: Do
you like to try new things? I once had a party in which
everyone was asked to bring an unusual food or drink
that they had never tried. Pot luck surprise! This was
how I had my first taste of octopus. It doesn't have
to be that exotic, but get out of a rut and try something
new.
Thought
for Thursday, Dec. 18: Is there
someone who has touched your life in a good way? Sometimes
we get so busy, we forget to let them know how much
we appreciate these special people. Write a note. Send
them balloons or flowers. Give them the gift of appreciation.
Thought for Wednesday, Dec 17: Pamper
yourself. This is the time of year when life becomes
so hectic it sometimes seems impossible to take time
for yourself, but that's the time when you need it most.
Do you like a bubble bath? Lock the door and take one.
Do you like to read? Find a book at the library or at
the bookstore by a favorite author, and spend a few
hours of relaxing. If you need some suggestions for
good authors, email us!
Thought for Tuesday, Dec 16: Have
you ever played a good practical joke on a friend or
relative? If you have, you should like this idea. If
you haven't, this might be a great way to start. Start
watching for needs of people with whom you work or attend
church, or someone you know socially. Do they have a
bill they can't pay? Can you afford to pay it for them?
Give a gift anonymously. Give however much you can afford,
and if you can't give money, give a service. Scrape
the ice from a neighbor's windshield. Give a blind man
a set of audio books, and a player for them, and have
a third party--who will keep your secret--deliver the
gift. Let your imagination run wild, and see how much
fun you can have spreading cheer and mystifying others.
Thought for Monday, Dec 15:
Pray for those who may have been laid off recently.
Consider cutting back on a few restaurant meals this
month, and donating the money you might have spent to
help those in need. Instead of giving a lavish load
of gifts to someone who already has everything, perhaps
they would prefer to have you give a gift of money in
their name to someone who needs the help.
Thought for Sunday, Dec 14: Cherish
your friends and family, even the cranky uncle or obnoxious
cousin. God loves them, too. He also placed them in
your life for a reason--perhaps to help you grow spiritually?
To learn compassion? To look past the surface? Take
another look at those who irritate you the most, and
pray for them. You may be surprised by the change that
takes place--and not necessarily in them.
Thought for Saturday, Dec 13: Christmas
shopping today? Drive with care, and with kindness.
The life you save may be your own. Smile as you meet
others in the aisles of the stores. Don't worry if some
don't smile back. Those people may be in most need of
a kind gesture.
Thought for Friday, Dec 12: Take
responsibility for your own health. A pill doesn't solve
everything. ER physicians see all too often patients
who take for granted that, no matter how they abuse
their bodies, the doctor will have a pill to heal them.
It doesn't work that way, and hospital personnel see
the heartbreak of this mindset every day. If you smoke,
it's vital to stop, but if you can't do that, at least
cut back. If you're overweight, at least exchange unhealthy
junk foods and fast foods for healthy proteins, fruits
veggies and whole grains. Exercise is vital--though
if you already have a health problem or are morbidly
obese, your doctor will need to advice you before you
begin an exercise program. Take care of your body. It's
the only one you have.
Thought for Thursday, Dec 11: Kindness
eases many a rough ride. Remember when you are shopping,
dining out, visiting the doctor, or simply spending
time with family, a soft word turns away wrath. Has
someone been rude to you? Reply with kindness. Their
words may still sting, but you will be glad, later,
that you behaved with wisdom. You never know what that
person has endured--the loss of a loved one? Separation
or divorce? Loss of a job? A runaway child? Give them
the benefit of the doubt, and see if you can't be part
of the solution instead of increasing their problems.
Thought for Wednesday, Dec 10:
In the middle of a hectic week, be still, and know that
He is God. You will be more able to hear that still,
small voice in the silence.
Thought for
Tuesday, Dec 9:
If you are caring for an elderly parent
or friend who is ill, make sure you have several copies
of a living will, copies of ID and insurance cards,
and an itemized list of medications and supplements,
including dosages. Prepare in advance for any event,
because you can be sure, with today's climate of patient
confidentiality, unless you have proof to show, you
will not be allowed to make decisions for your loved
one.
Thought for Monday, Dec 8: Begin your
week with a spirit of love and hope. As you travel to
work, or set about your daily routine for school or
home, remember that knowing God is knowing joy. Some
tests have shown that when you allow your face to express
joy, this triggers something in your brain to send those
feelings to the rest of your body. No matter your circumstances--and
we've all had some trying times--look up to the bringer
of all joy. Then share that joy with others.
Thought for
Sunday, Dec 7: This
is a day of worship for Christians all over the world.
Please be in prayer, especially, for those brothers
and sisters who risk their lives--and lose their lives,
their families, their livelihood--for the sake of Christ.
When we live in a world of freedom, it's so easy to
take for granted that everyone enjoys these same freedoms.
It just doesn't happen that way. Please pray, today,
for those strong, quiet souls who serve Him faithfully
all over the world.
Thought for Saturday, Dec
6: This month may be one of the
most stressful in recent history, not only because of
the busy-ness of preparing for the holidays, but also
because it's difficult, right now, to NOT worry about
the recession all over the world. This is the best possible
time to do as Jesus did during His earthly ministry--go
into the wilderness. If you can take a hike, far from
any noise of traffic, music, chatter, television, and
focus on the birdsong, the whisper of the breeze, and
the calm strength of God's presence. Seek Him often
always, but especially in these days. Seek Him, and
He will be found.
Thought for Friday, Dec 5: Take
some medical advice from someone who knows--always keep
a list of the meds and supplements (including vitamins
or minerals of any kind, or any supplement from the
herbalist) including quantities taken, and keep the
list updated. In these days of ever changing medications,
doctors are finding more and more trouble with food/drug
or supplement/drug interactions. Remember, if you don't
tell the doc everything you're taking, you could be
hurting yourself
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