Speaker, Trainer, Troubadour, AuthorKim RatzHelping people create more harmony
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(Previous Free e-Newz issues: Click Here) Live&WorkWiseDecember 2013, from Kim Ratz, Speaker-Trainer-Troubadour
A free, fast, and fun read to inspire hope, improve skills to cope, and induce a chuckle along the way ... A Thought to Help You LiveWise -- Gratitude Transcends Holiday Stress It happened again on my post-Thanksgiving flight back to Minneapolis -- the person next to me asked what kind of work I do, and when I said I was a motivational speaker and trainer she asked, "What's your topic?" So I explained that I remind people about ways to deal with times of change, challenge and conflict by engaging a good attitude and making good choices so that at the end of the day you feel content, not regret. And I was not ready for her response, because she launched into how she sure could have used that earlier, and started complaining about the storm-related hassles on her pre-Thanksgiving flight, how she'd been asked to organize the office holiday party, and her ungrateful kids & husband who never like what she gets them, and then -- how bad she felt about how she'd responded in each situation ... As I listened to her go on and on, I realized that the December e-Newz might be a good time to remind us all of ways to resist the stress that can spoil an otherwise special holiday season which just recently began. So here's the reminder: Don't leave Gratitude on the Thanksgiving table! When you focus on the good people and things you are blessed with in your life, you feel better. Conversely: when you focus on the problems in your life and complain (even to yourself), you darken your own mood. So the next time you feel stressed, or down, choose to "Reframe the situation" and look for the good in things. You always find what you seek. Do this frequently and you can train your brain to feel more grateful, more often. For example, when things aren't going well for me, if I start thinking about my grandchildren I immediately feel better. The challenge is self-awareness and not denial: When you recognize you are feeling ungrateful or unhappy, you can choose to change your focus to what you ARE grateful for. Especially when you add the commercial hype and holiday hustle and bustle, you've got a recipe that leads many people to feel depressed, stressed, or conflict. So to help fortify your resolve to not let the holidays stress you out, here are five things you can do to grow from Thanks-Giving to Thanks-Living through the holidays, and every day of the year:
Finally, remember that one of the more subtle influences of this season is the diminished sunlight ... And while SAD (seasonal affective disorder) has only been clinically diagnosed relatively recently, this season of darkness has challenged us since ancient times ... It's also why people have historically sought reason to celebrate and brighten up this season with traditional holidays like:
This is also a season of sacred observances, such as:
Rich with meaning, traditions, and gatherings of family and friends, I love this season of year when people around the world share songs, thoughts and acts of peace, thanks, love, hope and joy.Ê Whatever your beliefs and traditions, I hope this season gives you a lift, and share these heartfelt thoughts: THANKSGIVING - CHRISTMAS - NEW YEAR - You make me feel warm, merry & bright, and I pray this holiday season fills you with - - (Here's another article with reminders to help make your holidays feel a little brighter: www.kimratz.com/holidaytips.html). Quotes related to"Gratitude, Christmas & Holidays" for the days ahead ... All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot be happy. We think being unhappy leads people to complain, but complaining leads people to becoming unhappy. - Dennis Prager I specialize in helping people create more harmony in their own life, and in their relationships with others. It's about being Congruent and making good Choices -- by aligning your Attitudes, Aptitudes & Actions -- so that at days end you feel content with your choices, and not regret. This content is applied to outcomes including: Personal Excellence, Communication & Relationship Skills, Teamwork, Customer Service & Leadership. I do this through keynotes and workshops that inspire hope, help people improve their skills to cope with change, challenge and conflict, and original music, stories and humor to induce some fun along the way. When you need a presenter who shares content, energy and inspiration, |
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