Good. Better. Best. Which self do you want to be?

December 17, 2009 - Issue #90
What I Want for Christmas

Welcome to The 3-Minute Coach

Hi everyone. There's an obvious holiday theme to this issue as we approach the festive holidays. I hope you enjoy all the articles and please have a wonderful holiday. Issue 91 will come out on January 7 (or 14, depending on when my vacation mode ends. /grin).

Oh, if you caught the last episode of Monk, you're probably as happy as I am that he not only solved Trudy's murder, but got connected to the daughter Trudy thought was dead. It ended on a really positive note. He wasn't completely free of all his phobias, but he certainly was happy again. The interesting thing is that what I remember most from the episode is that Monk was wearing a polo shirt at the end. If that isn't evidence of change, I don't know what is!

In peace, love and gratitude.
Louise

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Food for Thought

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas." --- Benjamin Franklin

Keep It Simple

How to Remain Stress-Free Over the Holidays

No matter what holiday you're celebrating this season, it tends to become very hectic and even over-whelming to some.

Here are some strategies for remaining stress-free and able to enjoy the best of the holiday season.

Focus on the feeling of the season.
For most of us, this time of year is associated with good will and cheer. Instead of bustling through the mall, take time to greet others with a smile and season greetings. Tapping into that feeling, both giving and receiving, will help you slow down and actually enjoy the process.
Share as many of the preparation as possible with your family, especially the kids.
Very often we try to make the holiday a special enchanted time for our kids, taking on most of the burden of decorating, shopping, cooking and cleanup. This is fine when thay are toddlers. However, around 5 or 6 years old, start including them in the preparations as well. They will soon understand that the holiday is about sharing and building life-long memories. The presents then become the icing on the cake and not the cake.
Figure out what it would take for you to arrive at Christmas morning or night totally calm and relaxed.
Depending on your family, network and support group, share responsibilities with others. For example, if you go to the store and pick up some of your neighbor's gifts, she'll stay home and make cookies for both of you. If you're hosting the holiday meal, ask others to bring something specific. Allow others to share in the fun of giving. Don't hog it all yourself!
Listen to holiday music.
This is especially true if you celebrate Christmas. By listening to the large array of Christmas and holiday songs published over the years by our favorite artists, we begin to focus on the joy of the season and not on the chores of the season. This could (oops, I almost said "should"!) be an enjoyable time of year for everyone.
Don't forget the underlying religious experience that is the reason for the holiday.
Reconnect to the spiritual and cultural meaning of the holiday. Try to remember and keep in mind the deeper significance of the holiday while you do every step of the preparation.

I hope you'll try a few of these tips this season. May you have the best holiday ever!

Feature Article

What I Want for Christmas

Politicians who are more interested in a win-win instead of a win-lose.... and who make their constituents a priority over their political careers.
People who recognize the godliness of everyone they meet.
An environment where everyone feels like they are accepted and belong to something.
The complete disappearance of expectations, mine, yours and ours.
A planet where everyone focuses on the similarities that bind us rather than the differences that separate us.
A world where all children are encouraged to become who they are and are not forced into any adult's mold.
A world without war, where different philosophies are discussed peacefully and molded into a new joint philosophy.
An environment where everyone has their basic needs met: food, shelter, safety, acceptance.
A planet where everyone lives in the present and there is no anger or guilt from the past and no fear of the future.
A world where everyone accepts responsibility for their lives and claims the power to change it.
A planet where the Christmas spirit of "good will to all men" lasts the entire year.

That's all I want!! Except perhaps having this be the best holiday you've ever enjoyed!

Related Quotes

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments. " -- Benjamin Franklin

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. / To an opponent, tolerance. / To a friend, your heart. / To a customer, service. / To all, charity. / To every child, a good example. / To yourself, respect." -- Oren Arnold

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." -- Calvin Coolidge

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air " -- W. T. Ellis

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year." -- Charles Dickens

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. ." -- Dale Evans

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The Welcome Mat Guest Column:

Santa's List of Naughty and Nice, This Christmas Season's Dos and Don'ts
by Heather Lee Nguyen

Boys and girls, Christmas is almost here and Santa Claus has been watching you all year. These next few weeks are especially important for you to be on your best behaviors. After all, you don't want to be left on the Naughty List do you? Here are the top five things to do this holiday season and the top five behaviors to avoid.

1. DO: Give something from the heart. Make a card for a grandma in a nursing home, bake a pie for the local shelter. It doesn't take much to give a little bit during this joyous season.

DON'T: Expect to be spoiled. This is not the time to demand to everyone what you do and you don't want for Christmas. Gifts are not the focus. Being together is the main point so try your hardest to avoid sounding like a spoiled little brat.

2. DO: Send out holiday cards. Sometimes just the "we are thinking of you" gives somebody you love or respect the little gift of happiness that they need this season.

DON'T: Send out bad thoughts. It's just better to have an overall positive attitude during this time of year. Nobody likes a Grinch.

3. DO: Give your mom and dad a hug and tell all your loved ones how much you care for them. You never know when you might lose them and with all the joy in the air it's the perfect time to show affection.

DON'T: Bring up problems of the past, present, or any kind of family drama. This is definitely not the time to fight, to pick favorites, or to have a lousy attitude towards anyone.

4. DO: Lend a helping hand. When you see someone in need or here about a need child's struggle, help out as best you can. Whether that be buying a homeless person some mittens or volunteering at the soup kitchen, this is the time to give back to your community, especially those less fortunate.

DON'T: Complain if you have to do things you don't want to do. Don't go shopping for yourself because this is not the month of selfishness, it is the season of giving.

5. DO: Send out good vibes. Everywhere you go greet people with joy and happiness. It makes the holidays worth your while. This is especially true in colder areas, the snow is beautiful, don't hate it appreciate it.

DON'T: Avoid Christmas greetings and holiday cheers. Don't shun carolers or mock the elves in stores. At least play along and exchange kind words. It won't kill you to get excited about the holidays. After all, you get time off work to spend with the little ones. There is no season better.

Whether or not you want that perfectly large french easel or you just want some new pajamas, you had better behave in the next few weeks. Santa Claus has a close eye on you. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Lee_Nguyen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Santas-List-of-Naughty-and-Nice,-This-Christmas-Seasons-Dos-and-Donts&id=3410674

Working Towards Wholeness: Action Step

[For me, wholeness represents being my best self living my best life. I believe there are 13 keys to living in wholeness (5 Steps, 8 Elements). Each newsletter, I will look at one action step you can take so that you may get one step closer to wholeness]

WHOLENESS KEY: Living in the Present
ACTION STEP: Stay present during the holidays.

This is a simple one this issue. Stay 100% present every day during the holidays. This includes preparation and celebration. Give the best gift of all this year: the gift of your undivided attention.

After the holiday, reflect on your ability to stay present. How well did you do? Also, how did staying present change the holiday experience for you? I can't wait to hear how it goes for you!

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December 17, 2009 - Issue #90 What I Want for Christmas