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.