Traditions, and friendships keep us stress free and sane during holidays.

 The stressors of holidays and how our friendships keep us sane during this time of year are worth exploring.

Many years ago, I started a tradition of thinking about fun things to do and taking action to actually make this happen.  Because October is not too soon to start the thought process of what does one do during the holidays to stay out of the dumps?  So...me and my friends started some new traditions of our own.  Like planning a meal together, getting dressed up and having a pretty holiday place setting and special foods to feed our bodies.  We also shared a gift and a spiritual connection by using some cards from the many good ones that are out there. We like angel cards and the like. We all felt closer and grateful that we have each other to lean on and have fun at the same time. Friends, our family of choice.

Instead of gifts at holiday time it would be nice to ask a friend what their favorite charity is and make a donation in their name.  It will help the charity at a time when charities are suffering and it will make your friend feel like she helped another person to have a better life.

Start new traditions or keep the old but do take care of you and those you love by staying connected.  Tell them how you feel about them being in your life.  Show them, teach them or just be with them but most of all honor them and you honor you!

Does your circle of Friends expand and grow your life?

Friends come in many sizes shapes and colors.  I love and appreciate the diversity they can all bring to the table.

Not any one person can be all things to all people. Which is why it is so much fun to have all these different people in our lives.  Some I like to shop with, some I love to walk in nature and some we do nothing together and  I love that, too.  Each hold a special, specialty.  Can you think of some differences your friends have and how that difference expands your life?  The perspective of differences or in other words, I love that part of you because it fills me up in a way no one else can. 

Specialties in friendships, think about this in your circle of friends.  Does their differences make you grow and allow new into your life?  What specialty do you bring to the table of life?

I encourage you to examine closely your values using  the value clarification exercise  which will shed light on why your circle of friends are in your life.

Holiday gatherings and friendships-our lifeline and a simple tip for an emotional lift.

Calling all friends…throw yourself a holiday gathering, but keep it simple. Remember the idea here is to connect not to kill yourself working to make it the perfect event.  Perhaps you know someone who is without family for the holidays.  Try to include them in one gathering and share your friends with them. What can be more simple than a potluck or each person bring their own lunch and meet at the beach, a park or somewhere no one has to clean up.  Just each person taking care of themselves and meeting to share a laugh, a story or lend an ear.  The important thing is the friendships. Our lifeline...

What feelings can you name that are indicators of where you are on the emotional scale? If ten is perfect and one is the bottom, where are you on this measuring stick?  Feeling words...happy, mad, glad, sad, angry, lonely.

Now think of the lunch hour you just spent with these buddies, even if only in your mind, does this give you a boost?  A relief?  I surely hope it does for you what it can do for me,  I just love my friends.

Enjoy my gift to you, my friend, a purpose meditation guide to help you relax and enjoy more, this holiday season.

Reaching out to friends is a sure fix for holiday stress.

Tis the season...for those holiday stressors in life and winter blues.  How to work through it once it hits can be challenging.  If you start now to take care of yourself, things can be better for you and those you love, friends and family.

Today I stopped to consider the idea of friendship, and what an important role friends play in my life.   In this later part of life our friends emerge and become our nuclear family.  These friends play a significant role in making up our family, and define just how special these people are to us. 

I have a girlfriend that I walk with and share intimate details of my life. Who else can I trust and share so openly with knowing they will be there for me tomorrow and the next day and the next.  We are not related, but the friendship we share makes her part of my family.

This year my cousin is coming to Naples (my town) for four months. I cannot tell you how much that means to me to have family and friendship. The best!!!

Reach out and call a friend.  Set a time to get together and have a cup of java and just talk to one another.  We all need people so pick up the phone, email or text, no excuses, just do it.  Call someone you love and make a connection.  You both will be happy for the time and energy spent with each other.  The best gift of all, FRIENDSHIP!