Motivational Monday

ONE OF THE SECRETS OF A HAPPY LIFE

IS CONTINUOUS SMALL TREATS.

(Iris Murdoch)

Sometimes it seems like the build-up to Christmas and to the holidays in general starts earlier and grows longer every year. How can one day possibly live up to so much hoopla? For some people, it does. The day is glorious and joyful, full of love and peace. For others, it's usually a mix of fun and laughter, various frustrations and small disappointments. And still others will be sad and lonely and wish the day would just end already.   

And what about the day after Christmas? And the one after that? How many people end up feeling like a giant blow-up lawn Santa or Snowman, no longer puffed up and grinning, but now sagging and deflated?   

What if, instead of putting so much energy and effort into one day, into one or two holidays, we spaced some of it out? We could make cookies…in March. You know the person you only seem to catch up with around the holidays? Send him a note or give her a call…in May. We could curl up with a good book for an hour…just because it's July and the air conditioning is delightfully cool. We could spruce up our homes…in September. 

Let's make this week and the next - and the next year! - full of small treats for ourselves - a massage, a pedicure, a new book - and for those we care about it - nice notes for spouses and children, easing up on chores and errands. Let's give happiness the effort and energy it deserves - year round.        

Merry Christmas, everyone!