Spring Clean the Winter Blues Away

A little spring cleaning today can make the winter blues go away.

Depending on where you live, this time of year can leave people feeling trapped with the winter blues. If you're not fortunate enough to take a mid-winter vacation to a tropical island or a state/country that enjoys 80 degree weather all year 'round, try a different method to brighten your mood ~ spring cleaning.

Before you start rolling your eyes, keep reading! Even if you aren't a "cleaner," and cringe when you hear the word, this can work. Start with one drawer in one room, like the junk drawer in your kitchen or office (you know you have one somewhere ~ we all do!).  File or throw away coupons that you put aside months ago. Put loose coins into a saving jar. Make a file for your kids' school papers. Place receipts into a zip-loc bag. Tame unruly cell phone charging cords with a twisty tie or rubber band. Once you have emptied the drawer, thrown away the garbage, and organized what's left, carefully place the "keep" items back into the drawer.

Now take a step back. Don't you feel a little better? A little "lighter?" If you answered "No," keep cleaning. I promise your mood will improve.

Next, go to the cabinet under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Throw away old, empty bottles that you forgot you had. Toss the old, dusty rags (that you haven't touched since the last time you dusted) into the washing machine. Once all the hair products or cleaning supplies are out, get a damp rag and clean the bottom of the cabinet before placing the items back in.

Now, open your coat closet. Is it full of coats and filled with a musty smell? Pull out any coats that haven't been used in a few years and place them in a "donation" bag. Vacuum or sweep the floor of the closet. Now, to get rid of the musty smell, try this trick: tape a fabric softener sheet somewhere in the closet. I tape one (not so discretely) to the top of the molding piece inside the closet. This way, every time the door is opened, the scented sheet swings and freshens the air. When the door is closed, it ensures the coats will stay fresh. Replace the fabric softener sheet about once a week.

These spring cleaning jobs are EASY! They don't take a lot of time, but the little time that you spend can help boost your mood. Doesn't it make you feel better, and your home to seem fresher, when things are clean and organized? It's easy to make sure the dishes are put away, beds are made, and the living room is clean. So why not challenge yourself and see if cleaning out those junk drawers and closets that don't usually get attention will help you break out of the winter blues.

And if you're still not convinced, book a trip to Hawaii!

Spring Cleaning

Time For A Techno Self Check

Life goes by fast, but not staying up on technology trends will leave you in the dust.

In today's economy, a good job that you love and are well qualified for can be hard to come by and difficult to hold on to. Technology is replacing many jobs that were once thought of as mainstream, leaving well-educated men and women wondering what to do next.

Use technology to stay afloat on the new trends that seem to appear daily. Don't let the new apps and gadgets scare you. Instead, learn how to use them to your advantage. Get onto Google and type in the name of an app that interests, frustrates, or annoys you. Download a tutorial and read up on how to put it to use. Invest some money in an upgraded phone, computer software, or tablet and learn their functions. Check out other social media trends that seem to be taking over society. The fact is, they're not going away. They're only improving!

While technology makes life easier, it can also be used against us. Remember that today, anyone can be a detective. Employers are going to do their research before hiring and if your night on the town is displayed with raunchy photos on your Facebook page or fowl language on your Twitter account, you might look less desirable than what your resume portrays. So, while you are enjoying the ease of online sharing with your social media BFFs, keep in mind that you are also marketing yourself to the business world (whether you intend to or not). Don't post anything online today that might embarrass you tomorrow. Always put your best self out there, because you never know who is watching!

Techno Self Check

Break Through Your Glass Ceiling

For years, without knowing, I've built a glass room:

Four walls and a ceiling, but no room to bloom.

I know there's more to me than what meets the eye,

So I'm going to be brave; new things will I try. 

~ Stacy Coles

We all know about the figurative glass ceiling in the corporate world. But there is also a glass ceiling in our personal world. A barrier we make ourselves that we, alone, have the power to break through.

It becomes so easy to limit ourselves when we get into a comfort zone. Not many people like the idea of change or trying something new. But, if we sit idle in our everyday routine, we don't grow. We need to dig down deep and find what our true potential is.

Think about what you do daily, whether you are busy at home with kids or work a 9 to 5 job. Then, ask yourself if you're happy doing what you're doing. If you are, think of what you could do to step it up. There's always something we can do to challenge ourselves. If you aren't happy, decide what you would rather be doing or think of something else you'd like to try. Once you have an idea in mind, take actions to make it happen.

Some may decide to change careers. Others may just want to change their attitude about what they're doing. Our personal glass ceilings are as unique as we are. Because of this, it's up to us to break through the barrier that keeps us from reaching our full potential. Once those barriers are broken, the sky is the limit to reinvent ourselves. Not a total transformation ~ just take what's already great about you and make it fabulous!

Glass Ceiling

No One Is Perfect

Every time you point a finger at someone, there will always be three pointing back at you.

~ Author unknown

How often do we find ourselves pointing fingers or scoffing at someone's mishaps or failures? We might even do it without realizing it.

We all have days when nothing seems to go right. There are times when we feel like our best effort just isn't good enough. On these days, a kind gesture goes a long way. A smile, a helping hand, or a kind word of encouragement works better in lifting our spirits than does criticism or ridicule. No one wants to be kicked when they're down.

When we find ourselves on the criticizing end, remember that no one is perfect ~ NO ONE. Even those who always look happy on the outside and seem to have life figured out have challenges and trials. No one is exempt. If we could keep this in mind, there would be a lot less contention and judging among family, friends, and neighbors. It would keep us on more of an equal ground, open up doors of communication, and bring us closer to those around us.

The next time we find ourselves criticizing someone, remember that we all have moments when we'd like to bury our head in the sand. Instead of judging, stop and ask, "How would I feel if it was me?" We might find ourselves responding with more compassion and less criticism.

Finger Pointing

Finding the Courage to Try

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."

~ Mary Anne Radmacher

* Quote Correction: As it's hard to verify exactly where quotes originate, when I first found this quote online, it was attributed to Thomas S. Monson (he used it in a General Conference talk). My apologies to Mary for any mis-representation.

Running a marathon. Writing a book. Taking the Bar exam. Starting a business. Traveling the world. We all have something on our bucket list, something we want to accomplish, or something we are working towards. And often times, we don't succeed the first time. It takes courage to continue trying when we fail at something. It takes courage to try again when others tell us we can't. It takes courage to make our dreams come true.

There are always going to be oppositions in life. That won't change. How we deal with those oppositions will determine the outcome of our goals. If we give in to the challenges that will undoubtedly come our way, our goals and dreams get put on hold. Sometimes our self-esteem suffers. We might start doubting our abilities and our focus changes, unless we find the courage within us to try again.

Take on oppositions as a challenge. Take them on with courage and you will feel a new zest for achieving your goals. Don't listen to anyone who tells you it can't be done or that you will fail. The truth is, you might fail. But if you do, brush yourself off and try again. And again. And again..

Remember that anything is possible, especially in this day and age. Opportunity is at everyone's fingertips. The ingredient that is often missing is courage. It's scary to put yourself out there, to make things happen. But finding the courage to try and accomplish what you've set out to do can be empowering. And your success might rub off on someone else. Start with a small thought of ~ "I Can Do This!"~ and watch what happens.

Don't let anything get in your way. Don't let anyone get you down. And don't stop trying.

Courage To Try

Resolve To Get Organized

Most of us make New Year's resolutions that end up being broken, forgotten, and therefore, unresolved by the end of January.  

This is the time to change that. Start with a simple step ~ get a calendar! Buy one, print one, draw one, download one. Just get one. Once you have a calendar, take just 10 minutes to sit down (perhaps with a phone nearby to call for help) and write down birthdays, appointments, trips, science-fair projects, basketball games, dance recitals ~ whatever it is that you know you have coming up this year. A few minutes of organization now will save time later.

Place your calendar somewhere you will see it everyday. If your calendar is on paper, highlight the birthdays in one color, appointments in another color, and games in another. If you are using a digital form, attach a chime or reminder tone to these important dates. Give yourself some kind of reminder to send a birthday card, make a phone call, or get in your car so you don't miss what's on your schedule.

By taking a few minutes to do this now, you will start the year off feeling (and looking) more organized and focused on what's important in your life. Being organized on paper, or digitally, will help you achieve any other resolutions you make right now or in the future.

Organization

Traditions Old and New

Christmas traditions old and new,

what works for me may not work for you.

The important thing is we work together

to make memories that will last forever.

~ Stacy Coles

Christmas used to be my favorite time of year. Every neighborhood seemed so magical with Christmas lights bringing dark streets to life when the sun went down. Everyone seemed nicer and more willing to help those in need. The anticipation on Christmas Eve of the surprise that would be found under the tree the next morning used to make my heart burst with excitement. So, why do most adults seem to forget this sense of holiday magic?

It's called time! As we get older, we seem to take less time to enjoy the things that used to bring joy to our lives this time of year. Instead, we use all of our time scouring around trying to plan the perfect party, buy the perfect gift, and make everything perfect for everyone around us. And through it all, we forget to take the time to enjoy the holiday movies we grew up with, bake the holiday cookies that our moms used to make, or enjoy the magic that fills the air. 

This Christmas season, make yourself stop for a few minutes and think about three things you remember most about the holidays when you were younger. What made Christmas magic for you? What made you giddy with excitement? Between now and Christmas, make one (or all three) of those memories come alive again ~ for your family, now! Pull out an old recipe from your mom's recipe book (make a few phone calls ~ someone will have it). Send Christmas cards to a few families from your old neighborhood. Think of the joy on their faces when they receive some holiday cheer from you! My favorite Christmas memory was going caroling with our neighbors on a flatbed pick-up truck filled with hay bails to sit on. We drove through the streets, snuggled in blankets, singing carols. Most of us didn't know all the words, and the rest sang off key. After our toes were numb, we would all cram into my mom's humble kitchen and dining room for chili, bread sticks and hot chocolate. Thinking about that now, I honestly don't know how that many people fit into such a cozy area. But the memory is still just as cozy!

I haven't been able to talk my family into continuing this tradition quite yet, but my kids know the holiday classic, "It's A Wonderful Life," within seconds of any scene. Yes, the old black-and-white films are one tradition I insist on so my family can say they've been cultured!

Family traditions might change over time. The important thing is to make memories that will last a lifetime. Incorporate favorites from both your upbringing and those from your spouse's childhood. Use the ones that work for your family and have fun making new ones.

Christmas is still my favorite time of year. Although time seems like a rare commodity these days, taking the time to recognize precious moments and cherish new traditions might allow for time to slow down a little bit this holiday season. You can't find the holiday Spirit if you don't take the time to look for it.

Family Traditions

Christmas Traditions