The Twelve Days of Christmas, continued...

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Examiner article

You know they say holidays are about friends and family but for the individuals who arrange gatherings, cook, spend endless hours shopping, wrapping and making sure the season is special for our loved ones, the days that follow must be soothing; a time for renewal.

I must admit, I didn’t realize The Twelve Days of Christmas actually start on Christmas day or the day following. I guess I had just assumed it was the twelve days leading up to the holiday.

To be truthful, this song has always bothered me. It feels overwhelming and odd. I think it is a bit to busy for me, so I figured why not find a way to heal after the rigors of the holiday and utilize this melody to structure such therapy?

I also like how this time span starts after the holiday and goes into the New Year, what a better way to start 2014?

Give me your thoughts, I’m curious.

Build a bridge, continued...

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Examiner article 

Many of us are transitioning our lives after a celestial shift has swept over the world and helped us awaken to our soul-work. I feel so grateful to be part of this awakening although, at times, when I look to my future, it can feel tiring because of the ground I must cover over the next few years. I have to remind myself about the importance of my journey to my growth as apposed to wishing it away to get to my destination.

It is easier for me when I think of myself as a life student in a continuous world curriculum; as long as I’m in line with my passion, this adventure will never get boring.

The article helped me to stay on track. I’m hopeful you’ve gained something from it also. What are your thoughts? Leave me a note. 

Edited by Santa Claus, continued...

Photos provided by Pamela McColl; book illustration, Elena Almazova and Vitaly Shvarov 

Pamela McColl’s interview continued.

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She shared, “It is estimated that one billion people will die a tobacco related death in this century. I was particularly interested in helping parents-to-be who were ready to quit do just that in time to welcome a child into their lives. I also know that over 70% of people who smoke wish they didn't. I am always happy to help people stop smoking and I am currently just finishing, You Can Stop Smoking Now.”

Her path to change a classic book about Santa was not a smooth one. Pamela discussed what she endured, “Some very harsh criticism of editing a classic. I have a great many fans in the public health sector and I differentiate whose opinion matters. When Seth Godin, who is one of the most influential bloggers on the planet calls your book "fabulous" it matters. The rest is just noise.”

Her closing words, “I feel that I am engaged in an issue I care about. It matters.”

You can contact Pamela on Twitter, twas4kids or gspublisher, email her, twas4kids@gmail.com or look her up on Facebook; Baby and Me Tobacco Free Book.

Click her to visit her website, Twas The Night Before Christmas.

Silver pinecone, continued...

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Examiner article

Traditions, legends and luck are things that gift faith and joy to us during times that might otherwise be lonely and sad. If you are a storyteller, you appreciate these imaginative wonders of the world passed down from generation to generation.

Myths.e2bn.org offers a great listing of legends to gift entertainment to both the young and the young at heart!

Do you know any folktales? I remember one that I was told as a child, it was about a broken-hearted teenager who put a ring that was meant for his "want to be" lover under a large rock in our neighborhood. I spent many of hours as a elementary age child trying to move this large rock for the treasure beneath it!

Silly but it did gift me entertainment!

Do you have any stories that were passed down to you? Can you share one with my readers and me? Please leave us your legend!

Self-talk script, continued...

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Examiner article

I am pretty good about pushing past the negative self-talk although, as of late, I’m having difficulty seeing beyond my “not so tone” areas of my body since I’ve gained weight. This is really what inspired my article; my effort to stay away from labels like I am fat, I am sick, I am broke, etc.

It is difficult to stay on track with healthy eating habits and work out routines during the holidays. It is cold, which makes it more challenging to find the motivation to get moving and all of this, of course, feeds the negative self-talk.

I would never tell a loved one he or she is fat so labeling myself as such is not okay. I realize we have to accept ourselves just as we are in order to stay on track. Life entails ups and downs and weight loss and gain is part of this shuffle. I’ll be heading into the new year focusing on what I want to achieve, living a healthy lifestyle and attending to myself with tendering loving care. This is how I interface with my loved ones and I’ve now added myself to this list!

What is your script? Do you have positive self-talk or are you hard on yourself? Leave me a note and tell me about it.