Quote of the Week

“We have not journeyed all this way across the centuries, across the oceans, across the mountains, across the prairies, because we are made of sugar candy.”  – Sir Winston Churchill

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year….

Words As Gifts

Has gift selection turned into THE major stress of the season? Looking for that special gift but nothing fits the bill? Then try something new: Give the gift of words!

Here are 5 ways words can be used to create unique gifts: 

1. Write a testimonial. Does your gift recipient provide a business, service or product you love? Write a heartfelt testimonial explaining why that person’s product or service is the best. Any business owner will be thrilled to receive your testimonial and post it on his/her web site or office. And what is a testimonial worth? As that credit card commercial says: Priceless 

2. Buy a journal or address book and write a personal message in it. Each time they use this book, they can read your message over and over again. Truly the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

3. Make a collage and frame it. Take photos of the recipient and cut out words from a magazine that express your feelings about that person. Then frame it. A one of a kind gift that will make the person feel special. 

4. Write sayings on a picture frame mat board. Mat boards are a blank slate. Your words enhance the photo it surrounds, and a pretty frame turns this project not only into a personalized gift but also into an elegant unforgettable one.

5. Write phrases/messages on your gift box. What a surprise for the person unwrapping the gift to find a “hidden” message under the wrapping paper!

When you express your love and gratitude in written words, you immortalize your feelings. Your recipient can read your words and experience your love over and over again. So give the gift of words.

For more ideas on how to use writing to “destress” your holidays, order my FREE 7-page e-booklet of tips, “Write Your Way Out Of Holiday Stress!”. E-mail me Beyond-Words@att.net and put “busting stress” in the subject line.

Write Your Way Out Of Holiday Stress!

The countdown has begun. You’re already up to your neck in the list of everyday tasks, now you have to add the holiday ones! Good news…when you start writing down your anxieties and stresses, instead of letting them float around in your brain, they will become easier to deal with!

So start busting your stress by putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. The act of writing about your frustrations is not only good therapy but will also help you gain insights into the causes of your stress.

Set aside 15 minutes a day to write about what’s bugging you. At the end of the week, turn them into “vignettes” which are 2 to 3 paragraphs with a humorous or sad or spiritual point of view. Or just reread them and get angry, then decide what you can eliminate from your holiday load.  This will help you get a handle on what is bugging you! At work you can get everyone together in your office and have each person write down what they love about the holidays thus creating a group “story”. Also, remain positive, spread some joy. Post a few positive messages to the company website or blog. And don’t forget to send hand written thank you notes or cards to clients and vendors. They’ll be unexpected and appreciated.

These tips come from my 7-page e-booklet of tips, “Write Your Way Out Of Holiday Stress!” that was based upon my actual experiences as a writer and that worked for me.  I have used them year after year and see them as a better solution to conquering my stresses than chocolate or alcohol! The sections in this e-booklet cover: “Stress Busting Your Personal Life”, “Banishing the Grinch from Business and Career”, “Words As Gifts”.  If you would like a FREE copy, e-mail me Beyond-Words@att.net and put “busting stress” in the subject line.

Quote of the Week

Maya Angelou’s advice to Oprah when things weren’t going right:

“Say ‘thank you’ right now. Because your faith is so strong you already know God put a rainbow in every cloud.”