Neil and the kids and I attended our local Carols By Candlelight last night, at the Church where we happened to get married in,11 years earlier on that actual day. A thoughtful friend had a quiet word to the MC, who to our surprise asked for 'Claire and Neil to raise their hands' - to then get a few hundred people to wish us a Happy Anniversary. It was such a lovely thing to do and made it an even more memorable Christmas Carol experience.
There was of course lots of Christmas Carol singing - which I really enjoy. There was a great Jazz band who sang funky versions of traditional Christmas songs and they talked about something very important I think. That is, we sometimes get wound up in the receiving side of Christmas and forget why Christmas even exists - the celebration of the birth of Jesus. I don't come from a religious background but I do appreciate that something bigger than us exists and give thanks to a higher power for all that we have. Christmas is a great reminder to discuss this topic and to show love and appreciation of others no matter what your religious beliefs are - and of course to focus on 'Giving' rather than receiving. You'll be amazed at what you get back when you do.
Merry Christmas!!!
Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Author
For more organizing articles go to our Organize Your Life Website.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Organize Time to Meditate for a StressFree Christmas
I recently completed a Mindfulness Meditation Based Program, which coming from someone who always thought Meditation 'Wasn't for me', because I thought my mind goes way to quickly and I couldn't possibly slow it down to do it" etc, etc:- I must say I truly believe it can be for anyone, now that I 'get' what it's about. I have written some Meditation articles on the Topic to give you some tips on how to Meditate, which will come out in the New Year.
In the meantime I thought it was interesting to note when attending a local Women's Meditating Group last week for the first time, that upon a discussion about Christmas none of us were 'Stressed' about it, even though most of us were hosting it. We attributed this in large part to our Meditation Practices and how it helps put things into perspective, such that you know Christmas is but one day in our yearly lives that comes and goes like any other and it's there to enjoy, not stress over.
So to all those out there worrying and stressing about Christmas preparations and expectations - let it go and enjoy it. Like anything - it takes a bit of Organization to factor in some Meditation - even if it is only a few minutes here and there but it's worth it. Merry Christmas!
For more Articles about organization and a stress free Christmas go to our Organize Your Life website, such as....
"5 Tips On How To Enjoy Christmas More By
Simplifying it!"
Too many people I know, and probably many of you as well, do too much
leading up to Christmas, and especially on the actual day. That's not what
Christmas is supposed to be about, so start to make a few changes this year
and a few more the next year and so on, and see if you can do something to
change that!
Claire McFee
Author Organize Your Life
In the meantime I thought it was interesting to note when attending a local Women's Meditating Group last week for the first time, that upon a discussion about Christmas none of us were 'Stressed' about it, even though most of us were hosting it. We attributed this in large part to our Meditation Practices and how it helps put things into perspective, such that you know Christmas is but one day in our yearly lives that comes and goes like any other and it's there to enjoy, not stress over.
So to all those out there worrying and stressing about Christmas preparations and expectations - let it go and enjoy it. Like anything - it takes a bit of Organization to factor in some Meditation - even if it is only a few minutes here and there but it's worth it. Merry Christmas!
For more Articles about organization and a stress free Christmas go to our Organize Your Life website, such as....
"5 Tips On How To Enjoy Christmas More By
Simplifying it!"
Too many people I know, and probably many of you as well, do too much
leading up to Christmas, and especially on the actual day. That's not what
Christmas is supposed to be about, so start to make a few changes this year
and a few more the next year and so on, and see if you can do something to
change that!
Claire McFee
Author Organize Your Life
Thursday, 22 November 2007
How to Organize a Stress Free Christmas
5 Tips for a stress free, relaxing Christmas.....it is possible!
Too many people I know, and probably many of you as well, do too much leading up to Christmas, and especially on the actual day. That's not what Christmas is supposed to be about, so start to make a few changes this year and a few more the next year and so on, and see if you can do something to change that!
1. Think about sharing the Christmas food preparation each year - for those of you who spread around the location of your Christmas celebration, so that the person who has it a particular year doesn't dread their turn!! Organise everyone to each take a couple of dishes to ease the burden.
2. Think about the actual food that you prepare for Christmas day - is it really necessary to have the whole kit and caboodle with all the trimmings!? Especially considering that the tradition of a hot meal comes from the English, whose Christmas day is during winter. Doesn't make sense does it!!
3. Be Realistic - I'm not suggesting you ditch the whole Christmas lunch that everyone is used to, just make a few small changes to the meal selection. Some alternatives could be pre-bought cold turkey and/or seafood to cook on the BBQ.
4. Expect a little opposition - Obviously some family members, who may not have had to help much with Chrsitmas preparations in the past, may not like this idea but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to make some changes to help you enjoy the day more - particularly if you are the main person who does the food preparation. You should have a pretty major say if you are; don't you think!?
5. Stand firm and keep your main goal in mind when making these suggestions - remembering that all you want is to spread the workload around a bit for a more relaxing stressfree Christmas.
My family has been through the above already, and although it took some family members a little while to 'come around' to the new Christmas idea, once implemented, they are used to it, and it now feels completely normal, as if we have always done it this way.
Admittedly, the initial reaction was no way, but eventually this turned into a maybe, and then OK we'll try it 'just this year' and see how it goes - to having a much easier Christmas Day lunch every year since. It was definitely worth the effort as there is now less stress on the day, and it is therefore more enjoyable for everyone. Just remember you may need quite a bit of patience with this one!!
Christmas Traditions can be ingrained very deeply and can take a while to alter. So even though there may be opposition to these sorts of changes and some people may disapprove, decide what is right for you and take it from there. Good Luck and Merry Christmas
Claire McFee
co Creator - Organize Your Life Organizers
Too many people I know, and probably many of you as well, do too much leading up to Christmas, and especially on the actual day. That's not what Christmas is supposed to be about, so start to make a few changes this year and a few more the next year and so on, and see if you can do something to change that!
1. Think about sharing the Christmas food preparation each year - for those of you who spread around the location of your Christmas celebration, so that the person who has it a particular year doesn't dread their turn!! Organise everyone to each take a couple of dishes to ease the burden.
2. Think about the actual food that you prepare for Christmas day - is it really necessary to have the whole kit and caboodle with all the trimmings!? Especially considering that the tradition of a hot meal comes from the English, whose Christmas day is during winter. Doesn't make sense does it!!
3. Be Realistic - I'm not suggesting you ditch the whole Christmas lunch that everyone is used to, just make a few small changes to the meal selection. Some alternatives could be pre-bought cold turkey and/or seafood to cook on the BBQ.
4. Expect a little opposition - Obviously some family members, who may not have had to help much with Chrsitmas preparations in the past, may not like this idea but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to make some changes to help you enjoy the day more - particularly if you are the main person who does the food preparation. You should have a pretty major say if you are; don't you think!?
5. Stand firm and keep your main goal in mind when making these suggestions - remembering that all you want is to spread the workload around a bit for a more relaxing stressfree Christmas.
My family has been through the above already, and although it took some family members a little while to 'come around' to the new Christmas idea, once implemented, they are used to it, and it now feels completely normal, as if we have always done it this way.
Admittedly, the initial reaction was no way, but eventually this turned into a maybe, and then OK we'll try it 'just this year' and see how it goes - to having a much easier Christmas Day lunch every year since. It was definitely worth the effort as there is now less stress on the day, and it is therefore more enjoyable for everyone. Just remember you may need quite a bit of patience with this one!!
Christmas Traditions can be ingrained very deeply and can take a while to alter. So even though there may be opposition to these sorts of changes and some people may disapprove, decide what is right for you and take it from there. Good Luck and Merry Christmas
Claire McFee
co Creator - Organize Your Life Organizers
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