Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

As we prepare to turn the calendar toward a new year, it's normal to reflect on our lives and consider improvements we'd like to make.  We ponder diets, exercise plans, business ventures, career goals, and more.  It's all about making a fresh start at becoming the best we can be. But how often have you made resolutions only to forget about them after a month, or even sooner?  The second Friday in January is known as "Quitter's Day" because so many of us give up on our improvement plans by then. There's an art to making resolutions that can stand the test of time. Tips for making successful resolutions 1.  Make bite-sized goals. Do you want to run a marathon or finish your book?  Break that big goal into tiny steps.  Really tiny.  Decide to get suited up, stretch, and run around the block each day.  Open your manuscript and write just one sentence.  You can always do more, but as long as you do that much, you've met your goal.  You're bu...

The President of the United States is seated behind his desk in the Oval Office, wearing a sweater and asking Americans to turn down their thermostats this winter to conserve energy. Many people criticize him for this. Yet decades later, most people recognize that humans have done possibly irreparable harm to our planet by overusing its resources, and even government buildings are retrofitted or constructed with "green" technology. Who is this man?  Jimmy Carter, America's 39th president.  If only we had heeded his words 45 years ago. A better ex-president Although he only served one term as president, Jimmy Carter epitomized the words "public servant."  His distinguished post-presidential career included world travels as a peace emissary, election observer, and human rights advocate.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for "decades of untiring effort."  Carter's humanitarian work was conducted under the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia,...

Welcome to the penultimate post for 2024!  This makes #105 for this year, which is more than I've written for any one year since 2020.  That's in spite of suffering through two bouts of pneumonia and an emergency surgery and hospital stay early this spring.  Wow! I want to thank you, faithful readers – especially those who have taken time to email me personally.  You are so thoughtful and encouraging, and some of you are becoming cherished friends.  It's wonderful to join with you on the journey toward a simpler life that is still fulfilling and abundant because of the gratitude we practice every day. I also appreciate those of you who go the extra mile to purchase my books .*  You're the ones I think of most when I sit down to write. * This blog is powered by direct reader support.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission. My promises and progress I continue to refuse Google's targeted ads on this site, and to resist the many other ...

Bad news abounds.  That's a sad fact.  No matter how much we long for peace and goodwill, daily events show us that this isn't a reality for many people around the world.  And maybe, right now, it's not a reality for you.  And all the bright lights and glitter of the holidays can't change that or make it right. In approximately 4 BC, Rome ruled the western world.  Even though the " Pax Romana " ("Roman peace") was a period of relative order and stability, the wealthy got wealthier, the poor were downtrodden, and the era was marked by revolts, wars, slavery, and increasing imperialism.  To the Romans, peace didn't mean an absence of war, but the situation that existed when all opponents had been beaten down and lost the ability to resist.  Of course, this was enforced by Roman-appointed governors, occupying armies, and severe punishments such as crucifixion. Not very Christmassy, is it? Yet Jesus was born into this difficult time.  The Bible says ...

I had a very vivid dream a couple of weeks ago – I think it was a memory, although a few parts of it didn't fit with my childhood.  (For example, the house I'm remembering didn't have a fireplace.)  But much of it was real, and I awoke knowing how very blessed I was by my parents and the home they made for us. What also struck me about this holiday memory is that it doesn't feature shopping, presents, a trip, or even a purchased "experience."  It includes very simple elements, yet the sights, sounds, tastes, textures, and fragrances stick with me. As we're gearing up for Christmas, with all of our projects and plans, let's remember that many things we're spending our money and energy on might not be important in the long run.  Don't rely on gifts or even bucket list experiences to make memories.  What's important is how we make ourselves and others feel .  Maya Angelou said it best: People will forget what you said, people will forget what ...

Rest is the most natural thing in the world, yet many of us ignore it because it runs counter to our society's pressure to do it all.  We overuse coffee, 5-Hour Energy drinks, and junky snacks to keep ourselves going beyond what our bodies can really handle.  Alternatively, when we've hit a wall and feel the exhaustion, we "rest" by binging on Netflix or social media, or we turn to bars or casinos in order to "relax." The result is that a huge number of us are chronically sleep-deprived , which leads to brain fog, depression, cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions, increased accidents, and more. The 24/7 life is glorified, and constant connection via computers and cell phones has made the problem worse, because we place no boundaries on our "on call" time.  Technology makes us feel like we have more control over our environment, but the truth is we're losing control over our most precious and finite resource – our time. It's not natural....

My mom used to say "Use your manners.  Be nice.  It will make people like you."  She was teaching me the basic formula for getting along with people, and it was a valuable lesson. Being polite is important for a civil society.  Holding the door for someone, letting someone else go first, saying please and thank you – these are behaviors we teach our children.  And yet it's possible to have correct manners without being truly kind. Politeness might be the face we show the world, but it can be self-centered.  It might be more about gaining approval and making a good impression than treating people well.  It's possible for charm to conceal selfishness and greed. Personality isn't the same as character. More than skin deep We all know that being polite makes social interactions more pleasant.  It makes work environments smoother and more productive.  It can improve the service we receive in a store or restaurant.  Politeness is important, bu...

I made a trip to Target today, just for toothpaste, hand cream, toilet paper, and a roll of Christmas wrapping paper.  What a madhouse it was!  The long, long lines, the carts piled high, and – most of all – the tired faces.  I didn't see a lot of holiday happiness.  Oh, a few people were trying, but most just wanted to get their shopping done and one more thing crossed off the to-do list. Full disclosure:  Yes, I am giving Christmas presents.  I bought one toy each that I hope my grandsons will enjoy, plus some books for them, plus some lovely candles and local pistachios for a few neighbors and some of my husband Jon's colleagues.  Amazon and a couple of small, local businesses met my needs.  I'm still mulling over what to give my mother-in-law, so I'm not knocking shopping. What I'm noticing is the plodding, desperate nature of it – the apparent lack of happiness in what has become a series of extra chores and activities that "must" be done in ...

Just to be clear, I'm talking about the reformed Grinch:  The one who has figured out that Christmas doesn't come from a store.  The one who has realized he doesn't hate all those Whos down in Whoville after all.  The one who is probably going to treat his dog Max much better after this. The Grinch has revised his opinions because of what the Whos did on Christmas morning after he had stolen all of their toys, trees, and turkeys.  Do you remember?  Hand in hand, they joyfully sang together. The Grinch couldn't stop Christmas from coming.  It came anyway!  That's because Christmas isn't the decorations, the feast, or the gifts. Christmas is your loved ones – family, friends, or even kind strangers. Christmas is music – singing, playing instruments, and listening to other music-makers (even on the radio ). Christmas is gratitude – so remember your many blessings and give thanks! Rich minimalists The holidays as we celebrate them in our society exagge...