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!