Nowhere to Go

What's wrong with this picture?  Everyone is going somewhere except me!  Whatever the reason you can't get away, take a vacation where no one else can go but you - your own mind.

If you're in a metropolitan area, the choices are limitless.  Concerts, museums, shopping, the zoo.  However, I grew up in an area where none of these choices existed.  Where does one go in the middle of nowhere?  The local library is always nice, especially if you've been stressed.  It's quiet and you can lounge on a sofa and read a good book or just get caught up on newspapers or magazines.  Also many libraries have wonderful programs where people show slides and give a presentation of places they've gone, so you can live vicariously through their trips.

Weather permitting, a brisk walk for invigoration or a leisurely stroll to breathe deeply and enjoy the trees and the leaves is nice.  Or if you're like me, and let's me honest, you can be nosy and peak at how everyone has done their yards and get ideas for future landscaping or decorating.  If their drapes are open, you can see how your neighbors have decorated inside!

Churches have many wonderful programs such as plays or concerts.  Some churches also have women's ministries that offer advent programs to prepare mentally on how to enjoy the true spirit of the season in the midst of chaos.

My favorite activity will always be a movie.  From the time I was a kid watching "Bed Nobs and Broomsticks," or "The Incredible Mr. Limpet," I was fascinated of magical places to go.  Movies are a wonderful escape tactic.

For lack of time or my shortened attention span, it is sometimes difficult to concentrate on an entire book.  So grab a Reader's Digest and laugh at the funny stories or a Chicken Soup for the Soul book or take a moment to read the Christmas story in the Bible during advent season.  Churches also have small devotionals for free or Christian bookstores have wonderful choices of devotionals that are short, easy to read, but you walk away feeling inspired and refreshed.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, enjoy that moment to the fullest.  Feel blessed to be observing whatever it is that catches your eye.  Don't let the green-eyed monster steal your soul by envying someone else's plans.  Even if you have to work during a holiday, then let your mind reflect on moments of joy of seasons past to carry you through that day.  Especially for those of you who work at a hospital or similar institutions where work doesn't stop due to a holiday, know that families appreciate what you're doing for their loved ones.

Breathe in, breathe out, enjoy your holidays wherever you are!

Helpful Holiday Hints

This year more than ever, people are cutting back to get them through this recession.  Here are a few of my ideas to help you through the holiday.  When it comes to gift giving, every family has their own traditions. If you're feeling overwelmed with the buying, the wrapping and the expense of it all, suggest alternatives. Instead of each individual buying for everyone, have a grab bag with a suggested dollar amount. That way, each person is only buying one gift instead of several.

Most people will admit that we all have an over abundance of stuff in our homes and don't need more. A fun idea is a white elephant. There are all sorts of ideas of what a white elephant is, but I like where you look around your home for something funny that you've received in the past. Perhaps it's an obnoxious tie, the Billy Bass singing fish, slippers shaped like moose, you get the idea. When you play, you put numbers on slips of paper. If there's ten people, then put in ten slips numbered one through ten. The person who draws number one picks the first gift and opens it. The person who has number two can either pick a gift from the pile or take person number one's gift. Person number three now has two gifts to choose from or can pick one from the pile and on it goes. The person who draws the last number has the most choices. Not only does this game save you time in shopping and saves money, but it actually turns into a game and can make for a lot of laughs.

Perhaps you'd like your hard earned money to count for something important.  Charities are hurting for donations.  There are so many ways to give gifts to others instead of ourselves:  children of prisoners, orphanages, perhaps your own neighbors who are in dire straits during this tough economical time.  Food pantries are always in need of donations.  My friend would have her children pick out some of their own toys to donate for children their age.  Not only did someone get a toy, but it taught her children to think of others instead of focusing on themselves.  If you find yourself in a bit of a money jam, the gift of time is so precious.  There are PADS programs where you assemble meals, you could help out at a food kitchen serving meals, or at a food pantry distributing food to families in need.

Go green!  Wrap your presents in newspapers.  Or use boxes that are printed to look like wrapping paper and re-use them the next year.  I always save bows and use them over again.  If I receive a big package, I carefully unwrap it and cut away the edges where the tape was and re-roll it to use for a package in the future.  The gift bags are great to use over and over again.  Buy a real evergreen in a pot to decorate and then plant it in the spring.

Do things as a family such as going to a zoo and caroling to the animals or form a caroling group and sing throughout the neighborhood.  Many areas have holiday lights along with beautiful music to listen to as you drive slowly through the magical merriment.  If you find yourself far away from family and friends, put on your favorite carols and grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and have a relaxing afternoon.

May the wonder of the holidays carry you through this season!