2011 Countdown

The end of the year is vastly upon us and it's getting tiring, exciting, busy, costly, crowded, fun etc.  One of the things that I try to do each year, about this time - is pace myself, spend what I really need to and not get too excited when I slam into a sale! :) That's always so so hard, because you know how it is, you go to the store looking for a gift for someone else and VOILA - you run into something on sale that you want and the battle begins... lol.

For our family, we try to keep it fun and exciting each year.  One year, we went to out of town for Christmas and didn't get gifts for anyone - instead we spent time with each other; another year, we did the gift exchange thing; and another year, we made a wish list of 3 things that we want and each person had to pick/purchase one.  This year, we decided to buy $10 gifts for each person.  This is HARD! But the deal is that we have to keep it creative and fun!

So, whatever it is that you, your family, your friends are doing....remember to pace yourself, keep it fun, don't spend next year's money this year if you can help it, stay within your budget, remember the reason for the season, have lots of family time, stay healthy, go to church :), be thankful for what you do have, and look forward to next years blessings.

Be good!

Relationships Take Time

I read this and thought you might appreciate it.

 

Some days I think we all have inherited a double dose of impatience. That could explain why so many of us despise shopping, standing in line, waiting in line and mutter when the driver in front of us balks at turning right on red. More than once, you know, we say about each other or sometimes to each other: "Sometimes I just don't understand you at all!" Well, NEWS FLASH, we're not that easy to figure out, either. 

There's so much more we need to learn about growing in relationships. And it takes time.

 

But why is that so exasperating? My guess is it's part of human nature. A congenital hurry-bone of contention inherited from Adam and Eve who started the whole business by eating an apple guaranteed to give them instant knowledge.

 

When we live by the false "faster is better" creed, we lose sight of the contrasting truth: Relationships take lots of time to develop and nurture. They demand long hours and years and even decades of work....and don't forget the money too!

 

But when you stop to consider the alternative, it's clear that relationships are worth the time. Why hurry to give up on trying when you can take your time and nurture a deep commitmment with someone else for the rest of your life?

 

Relationship Builders:

• Have you ever felt that your relationships should be better faster?
• Why is it so hard to be patient as relationships develop?