A Thankful Heart

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle this weekend, make sure you tell those around you how much you love them. Be aware of what you've been blessed with and take the time to pay it forward. We all have something to be thankful for ... even those pesky things in life that we think we'd be better off without!

I posted this "poem" last year and love it so I'm doing it again in honor of Thanksgiving. Here's to remembering the blessings behind everything in our lives.

I Am Thankful For ...

BLOG TOUR for "Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels"

Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels: An Advent Anthology, Volume 2 

Christmas carols capture the spirit of Christmas, and Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels brings beloved carols to life like never before. Throw your cares away with the tales from sweet silver bells. Find out how Santa Claus dabbles in time travel, and feel the redemption of a dying wife's parting Christmas gift. Experience all this and more in these heartfelt, entertaining tales donated by a team of authors from across the country, working together for a good cause. The proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated toward Autism research and advocacy.

Anthology authors include: Shirley Bahlmann, C. David Belt, Rebecca Carlson, Loretta Carter, Madonna D. Christensen, Danyelle Ferguson, C. Michelle Jefferies, Theric Jepson, Ryan Larsen, Angie Lofthouse, Betsy Love, J. Lloyd Morgan, Janet Olsen, Teresa G. Osgood, Brian Ricks, Jennifer Ricks, Peg Russell, and Michael Young.

Carol of the Tales is the 2nd book in the Advent Anthology series. Both anthologies are available in paperback and Amazon Kindle formats from Amazon.com. 

Purchase “Sing We Now of Christmas”: http://amzn.com/1479266248

Purchase: “Carol of the Tales”:  http://amzn.com/1484145526

To kick off the release of the second anthology, a Christmas concert will be held at American Fork Junior High on December 7^th, 2013. The concert will feature the Saltaires Barbershop Chorus. All proceeds from this concert will be donated to charity as well. Purchase: Tickets for the Concert: https://tickettool.net/en/index/eventpopup/b54dab4bd0a13fa6975068f4784dfaa5

Blog Tour Giveaway!

Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win wonderful prizes, such as tickets to the concert and copies of the anthology. 

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Other Blogs on the Tour:

Www.notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com

Www.causeisaidso.me

www.queenoftheclan.com

www.JohnWaverly.com

http://iamareader.com

http//:lisaswinton.blogspot.com

moniquebucheger.blogspot.com

http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/

http://www.annadelc.com/blog

http://jlloydmorgan.blogspot.com/

www.franklycreative.blogspot.com

http://www.writermike.com

http://fringies.blogspot.com

http://www.saythiswrite.blogspot.com

http://debbie-peterson.blogspot.com/

http://thmazing.blogspot.com

www.renaeswritespot.blogspot.com

http://shelliproffitthowells.com/amusings/

http://www.annadelc.com/blog

www.meritaking.com

blessedinweakness.com

lynndparsons.blogspot.com

http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com

http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com/

www.renaeswritespot.blogspot.com

Make Time For The Magic

When we focus on what matters most and take the time to feel

the love and joy the holidays bring, the magic becomes real.

~ Stacy J. Coles

Well, Halloween is over. Let the Christmas season begin! ... Oh yeah, we still have Thanksgiving to prepare for. It's hard to remember when every store is decked out in Christmas garland and silver-and-gold-metallic ornaments.

Now, don't get me wrong ... I LOVE the Christmas season. I am one of those who could listen to Christmas music and watch my beloved copy of "It's A Wonderful Life" 365 days a year (if only I had the time!). But, the commercializing of this sacred holiday can make even the most organized person feel too rushed and preoccupied to feel the magic that should surround us this time of year.

Every day we find ourselves overwhelmed with work, school, kids, practices, games, recitals, meals, laundry ... as good as it all is, the "busy" in life can take its toll on our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Add on to that the great expectations and hefty price tags of the holidays, and it often becomes too much for many. It's heartbreaking when I hear people say that they hate this time of year and can't wait until it's over. When you break it down and get to the nitty-gritty of "why", you find that people don't really hate Christmas, just the stress, financial burden, and anxiety that goes along with it.

So, let's take a step back this holiday season (yes, that includes Thanksgiving!) and think about why we celebrate in the first place. We need to have a gratitude attitude and remember the reason for the season. We need to take time to enjoy our family members and make memories that we will cherish forever.

So, how can we feel the magic of the season and not get so overwhelmed with the commercial aspect that we want to shout "Bah Humbug" instead of "Happy Holidays"?

During the month of November:

• Encourage each family member to write down ~ daily or weekly ~ what they are thankful for. 
• Keep these "thankfuls" in a container. 
• Pull them out on Thanksgiving Day. 
• Put your "thankfuls" on a tabletop tree as ornaments ~ a great Thanksgiving centerpiece.
• Put your "thankfuls" in a journal/scrapbook so you will always remember how blessed you are.
• Pay it forward. Once you realize how much you've been blessed with, do something ~ as a family ~ to give back. It could be making/taking a meal to a family in need, collecting your old coats and gloves and taking them to a homeless shelter, or taking a plate of goodies to your local police and/or fire department.

During the month of December:

• Sit down as a family and read the scripture account of the birth of Jesus Christ. 
• Relieve some financial stress by setting a budget and sticking to it.
• Give homemade gifts.
• Do a service project as a family.
• Write letters/Christmas cards to missionaries, family members, and/or hospital patients.
• Bake yummy treats as a family.
• Build a snowman.
• Go see lights.
• Go sledding.

Making time for family and focusing on the true spirit of the holidays will keep our hearts and minds open for the magic that we all want and deserve to feel this time of year.

Make Time For The Magic

Perspective Changes Everything

With the Lord's help I will not fail.

I'm blessed with trials and will prevail!

~ Stacy J. Coles

When you look around at the beautiful changes that the fall season brings, you can't help but feel gratitude for the One who created it all. The beautiful changing leaves. The spiced, fragrant smells. The vibrant colors everywhere you look. The crispness in the morning air. It's heavenly ... and a reminder that there is a heavenly being who created it all for us to enjoy.

I like to think that the changing of seasons is a reminder for us to not be stagnant in our own lives. We all need a fresh, new perspective on things every now and then. We might be dealing with a physical or mental ailment, a frustrating or challenging job, financial shortcomings, jealousy or anger issues, loneliness, a broken heart, or a hurt relationship. The struggle is different for everyone, but we all share the opportunity to change our perspective on our situation.

We are put on this earth with our own set of trials, but we are not left to deal with these trials alone. We are just a prayer away from the companionship and comfort of a Heavenly Father who wants us to be happy, no matter what our religion may be. We also have the option of choosing to fall victim to our challenges or turning our weaknesses into strengths and becoming as vibrant as the colors of the season. 

As we draw closer to the holidays, try looking upon your trials with an attitude of gratitude instead of resentment and frustration. With a prayerful heart, find a way to turn your challenges into something that will make you stronger. Look for ways to serve those around you. By focusing outward, you are less likely to dwell on your own challenges. Serving others might change our perspective on things and help us realize how much we really have been blessed with ~ trials and all!

Perspective Changes Everything

Go With Confidence

School is back in session and many students went to class with eagerness and anticipation of what the new year would bring. For others, a new start might be faced with more anxieties and trepidation.

What causes our nerves to get the better of us? Why is it that some people seem to have confidence to spare while others struggle to realize just how much they have to offer the world?

For the lucky few, confidence comes naturally. But for many, it comes with time ... and work ... and patience. When you walk into a room and anxiety takes the lead, it's usually due to a fear of rejection, fear of failure, or just feeling like you aren't good enough. Having confidence doesn't mean you think you're better than everyone else, it means you know you don't have to compare yourself to anyone in the first place.

No one can see your insecurities OR your confidence unless you let it show. We all have a little of both. So, which one are you going to let shine? When you feel inadequate, nervous, or rejected for whatever the reason, quickly think about five things that you love about yourself, five things you are awesome at, or five things that are unique about you. When you have your list, stand up straight and tall and let your list of greatness carry you through. Let your accomplishments, talents, and/or qualities put a smile on your face so you can go throughout your day with confidence. Don't worry about what anyone else is thinking. Chances are, they are too worried about themselves and their own insecurities and shortcomings to be thinking about you (sorry to burst your bubble).

Don't compare yourself to anyone around you. It's not a fair competition because there's no one else like you!

Confidence

Learning To Laugh At Yourself

When you are the first to laugh at yourself, everyone else laughs with you ~ not at you.

We all have bad days, embarrassing moments, and sometimes feel like burying our heads in the sand. Hanging our heads in shame and running away only intensifies those paralyzing feelings. In these situations, laughter is always the best policy!

When you are the first to laugh at yourself, everyone else laughs with you ~ not at you. This is a lesson that can often be difficult to put into practice. I'm still trying to master the task! Laughing at our mistakes and blunders actually helps eliminate and relieve the anxiety that builds up in awkward situations. When that anxiety disappears, we become more clear-headed and can (hopefully) convince ourselves and any on-lookers that we have the situation under control. 

Life is too short to stress out every time things go wrong. Laughing at ourselves can be very entertaining ... and contagious. It's also a great way to tighten those abs and burn some calories. See ~ benefits all around!

The hardest time to find the laughter is when we feel insulted. But, like anything else in life, the hardest tasks usually lead to the biggest rewards. If we are dodging verbal bullets, laughing or smiling often lets the other party realize that their insults aren't as affective as they had hoped. They realize their words aren't as powerful as they had hoped. Remember, you have the power to let things affect you ... or laugh about it and move on.

Laugh At Yourself

Family Matters

We were sent to our families from Heaven above
to learn about faith, forgiveness, and love.

~ by Stacy J. Coles

Feeling loved, secure, and safe amidst the turmoils around us ... that's what most people desire. We were sent to our earthly families so we would have a support system during our journey through life. Our families should be the source of our feeling secure and loved. 

Having a sure knowledge of who we are and a firm foundation of faith on which to stand will help us overcome the temptations, negativity, and chaos that surround us. We need to learn how to be in the world and not of the world. This knowledge should be taught in the home. Each one of us, no matter our age, needs to have a sense of belonging, a sense of importance. If we don't feel this with our families, where are we going to find it?

The world often offers a false sense of security and acceptance. Remember: misery loves company. Isn't it ironic that one is accepted if they are willing to do something that isn't right, try something that isn't good, or go against what they hold dear, only to find it's "every man for himself" when situations go awry? 

Knowing you have a loving and supportive family surrounding you, in good times and in bad, is what makes life sweet. Knowing things have a chance of getting better because you're family should offer comfort. If you didn't have that growing up, create that environment now for your family. The world will not teach us about faith, forgiveness, and love. A righteous home, a loving family, and the support of one another is where and how these values are taught. Without them, we are lost, alone, and miserable.

I was blessed with a loving and supportive family ~ parents and siblings who, through good times and bad, are always there to lift one another when life gets too hard to go at it alone. I was blessed with another wonderful family when I married my husband. I hope that with so many wonderful people around us, my children will know how much they are loved, will always feel supported, and have the desire to always stay close. I remind them often that they are each other's best friends. Other friends may come and go, but our family is forever. Teaching them now about faith, forgiveness, and love also teaches them that family matters ~ and so do they!

Family Matters