"A Moment For You"

5 Ways to Beat Holiday Blues

The Holidays aren't merry for a lot of people. This year may be especially hard. Just good to remember when we interact with each other. Some are dealing with loss of loved ones, some with financial issues. It's hard to be happy if you have always thought of the holidays as a time to give and get "Stuff" and you are tight on cash. Maybe it's time to "think different..." What can you do to stay positive over the Holidays? Five Ways to Boost your Mood

Be Thankful
- Every morning I do my gratitudes before getting out of bed. What are ten things you are happy about? Look around, there must be something you can be grateful for. If you can't find ten, look for five and go from there.
- List your gratitudes and post them somewhere. Your bathroom mirror is good. The refrigerator is even better.
Have a Plan
- What are three things you need/want to get done this month? Keep the list short. If/when you finish this list, you can always make another.
- Having a plan focuses your attention on things you can do. That keeps you from lollygaggin' around in a pity party. It's amazing what ACTION can do to our mood. The act of doing something purposefully quickly takes us away from self-imposed dread.
- Even if you don't want to go all out, plan for a small celebration of life at the holidays - it doesn't have to be a debt-inducing orgy for you. Put up a few decorations: a creche, a minorah, a kinara, a small altar of thanks. Choose not to have a consumer holiday. Honor the rich and deep spiritual tradition the holidays represent. It's good for the soul.
Exercise
- Get thee up off the couch, turn off the TV, and get out of the house. Go to a gym, go for a walk, hike that trail, ride that bicycle.
- Part of your depression may be chemical. Exercise routs those toxins out of your system and fills you with a wonderful home-made brew called endorphins. You'll feel better. I promise. The hardest part is getting up and getting out there.
Give YOU
- Right now people may be depressed because "money is tight". We forget We are the best gift. Presents are never a good substitute for Presence.
- Make a coupon book for chores your spouse wishes you'd do. Or make one for a parent or friend who can't get out and do things for themselves.
- Is there a shelter or mission that needs you? Volunteer your time with people who have much less than you. Join a group collecting clothing for the needy. Give of yourself. Money can't buy the sense of worth you'll feel.
Don't
- Don't over spend
- Don't overeat
- Don't think you have to meet ANYONE's expectations
- Don't get yer undies in a twist about what others are doing, what they have, what their house looks like, what kind of car they drive (they are just in more debt than YOU are in most cases!) You are YOU. And that's just fine.
- Don't spend more time at that party than you absolutely have to.
- Don't drink when you are depressed. Alcohol makes things worse, and the sheriff is out there waitin' for ya.
- Most importantly: Don't beat yourself up. Take a deep breath and go back to #1. There are things in this world you can be grateful for. Find them and celebrate them.

Everyone has "dark nights of the soul." Everyone battles sadness and depression from time to time. You are not alone. If things get worse, get help. No shame in asking for help. When you let others know you need them, you are giving THEM a gift - the gift of purpose. and -- Have a happy holiday anyway.

Beth

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Quote This!

"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."
~ Paul Dudley White

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
~ Ben Williams

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Announcements!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope your weekend was wonderful!

Beth's brand new DVD is at Master Duplicating as we speak. "A Moment For You" is a collection of thoughts and quotes on Life and Keeping Your Perspective, with beautiful Sonoran Desert photos taken by Beth over the years. Beth reads the words with soothing music in the background (this was done when she still had her voice!! LOL) Order your copies today in time for the Holidays. If you Pre-Order NOW, the price is only $10. After December 10, the price will be $15 plus shipping. All Pre-ordered DVD's will be shipped between Thanksgiving and December 10.

As always, Beth's book 101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier is a Great gift for that new graduate, newlywed couple, person going through life's trials. We will even pay your shipping if you type BTFRIENDSHIP in the coupon code box on the checkout page.

Note: Please let us know your experience with the store. It's a new vendor and we'd love feedback if there's a problem. Thanks!

Don't forget, if you saw a particularly memorable talk by Beth, you can go to her website and type in a Testimonial. She'd love to hear from you!

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Cool Links

Ever wondered how to say a name? This page will help.

Guy Kawasaki (Local Hawaii boy, Iolani Grad) has started a very cool website where you can gather all the links to your favorite online magazines. Check out the main page and then see how you can set up your own page by clicking here. Hey - you could even add My Blog to your page!

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Fan Mail from Friends!

My fan mail this month is from ME to YOU. Thank you for opening this month after month. I know sometimes it's a long letter, and appreciate you reading it.

And thank you to all who cared for me, prayed for me, called me, wrote to me, came and spent time with me. That means the world to me, and has been a humbling and wonderful experience. YOU are my Thanksgiving.
Beth

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The Word From (Nurse) Xena!

We made it! Beth got her neck brace off on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Now she doesn't wander around looking like she's starring in The Little Mermaid Under the Sea! That is one scary lookin' contraption!

I'm keeping an eye on her though. That's why I'm keepin' this nurse hat. She's s'posed to be driving with it (her neck brace, not my hat! hahaha)... so I bark at her if she forgets to take it with her. She's no dummy. The other night she slept with it again cuz her neck was hurting from too much time on the computer and not enough time playing with me! (She needs to re-read her quotes! The one about a puppy licking her face!)

I can tell you this. Me 'n' Lezard are pretty happy she's OK. We knew something wasn't right. And even now, she sleeps a lot more than usual. I have to stand way high on my back legs and scratch on the bed, yelling at her to wake up some mornings. I checked on the internet, and that's normal after surgery. The sleeping part, not me yellin'...

At least we get walked from time to time. Now that she doesn't need the neck brace, she's not worried about big dogs out in the neighborhood knocking her over. I told her I can take care of them, not to worry. But she just picked me up and scratched my tummy. She doesn't realize how strong I am.

Oh well. We dogs learn to put up with two leggeds not understanding us. Lezard just sighs and takes a nap. It's always up to the ladies to keep things going, I guess!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and anything else. Just Celebrate! Life is waaaaay too short.

Hugs,
Nurse Xena
PS - thanks for being Beth's friend, and for reading these little notes once a month. It's great to have you on board! Now, share it with a friend, or send me a note!

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The legal goods...

�2009, Beth Terry, Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All rights reserved. Content may not be copied or used in any way without written permission. Please feel free to forward this entire email to anyone you wish. If you want to cut and paste just the story or Beth's original works, please include her name and web site with it. For more specific guidelines, please contact us using this link.

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