Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

This is a great time to think about the things that bring you comfort and joy.

As the year comes to a close and the scent of cinnamon and cloves drift through the air, it’s a wonderful time for reflection.

What were some of your best moments and days this year?

Taking some time out from the hustle and bustle of the holidays to think about what’s working well and what next year could bring can really start things off right.

“The life that I have chosen gives me my full hours of enjoyment.” – Winslow Homer

What truly delights you? Here is an important question to ponder. What small things can you do to bring more delight into your life this coming year?

This isn’t an exercise in making resolutions that will soon be forgotten. This is about taking a little time to think about what rejuvenates and restores you, about what makes you happy.

When you bring awareness to the forefront and repeat the same question, your brain and heart continue to work on the answers even when you’re not consciously aware of it.

A great way to remember to ask yourself this question or any other is to write it on a piece of paper or post it note and put it in a couple of places so you’ll see it throughout the day. Also keep some paper or a journal handy to write down answers as they come to you.

You know when you are in the shower or driving and suddenly you get an insight or idea that seems to just “pop” into your head? That’s your subconscious at work. Sometimes the answers may surprise you.

I know I’ve fallen into the trap many times of thinking I’ll be happy when this or that happens or if I could just get this or that done, things would be better.

But the truth of the matter is things can be better now. You can work on your goals and aspirations without sacrificing today for tomorrow.

So I hope you’ll join me in this journey of discovery so that your life is filled with more comfort and joy and all that you deserve.

Last year I gave some ideas for holiday gifts in my ezine and I got several comments from my subscribers about how much they  enjoyed them so I create a whole new list that I’ll share with you.

Here are some ideas that might make your gift giving a little easier this year.  Great gifts don’t have to cost a lot.

Experiences

You can create great memories by giving a gift of an experience or outing.

• Tickets to a Play or Concert

• Tickets to a Sports Event
• A weekend Get Away
• A Hotel or Bed and Breakfast Voucher
• Write up a certificate for a special day with you…maybe to the zoo, a theme park, fishing, or something you know they would love to do.

For the Movie Lover

• Gift certificates to a convenient movie theatre
• Gift basket with a DVD, popcorn, and candied nuts
• A 3 month subscription to Netflix.   http://www.netflix.com
• We got this for my Mother in law for her birthday with a list of our favorite movies we thought she would enjoy. She loved it.

Handmade for the Holidays

• Relive a special memory with a Photo book of a trip or event.

You can put one together with photo prints or download your pictures and plan your album at a site like Shutterfly http://www.shutterfly.com

• Jar Gifts are a fun way to give a gift of food that they can enjoy AFTER the holidays.

You can make some with your own favorite recipes, layering the ingredients for a nice presentation.

This month’s issue of Food Network Magazine has a nice selection of ideas like a curried lentil soup and a holiday panetone bread.

• Holiday Treats.  You may want to play with a new idea and be creative with your gift.  The picture above is cupcakes that my son and I made.  We tried to use melted candy wafers to create designs.  It takes a little practice not to just make blobs but we had a lot of fun.  We will definitely try that again!

• Handmade Jewelry

Check out my handmade jewelry at www.SallyEvansArt.com
Earrings make a great gift. I’ll even gift wrap and ship it for you.

If you would rather let them choose, I have gift certificates available.

Embellish A Ready Made Item

This is a fun and quick way to add a personal touch.

• Add ribbon trim or buttons to the neckline of a nice T-shirt.

• Add embellishments from the craft store to a frame.

• Create a design on a candle with wonder tape and microbeads.

Give a Gift of Laughter

For your loved ones with a sense of humor….

• Freudian Slippers from Uncommon Goods http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=12062

• Anxiety Sculptures from Uncommon Goods http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=family&itemId=17074

Note: these are direct links to those items. I do not have any association or experience with ordering from Uncommon Goods. These were just a couple items I came across that I thought looked fun.

• Your favorite funny movie or book that you think they would like

Gift of Inspiration

• A book of favorite quotes or a book that has inspired you

• Barbara Winter’s Winning Ways newsletters for those on the Joyfully Jobless Journey. I’ve been enjoying a subscription for several years. Check out a free sample here http://www.barbarawinter.com/winning-ways.html

• A CD  of Inspired Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs.  These are interviews I’ve done with some amazing people that are sure to leave you inspired!

A Personalized Gift

How about a silhouette of a loved one or even your whole family including your dog or cat on a set of cards, stationary, or a print?

You could have the children’s silhouettes for Grandma.

Or you can even have a silhouette Needlepoint kit printed to make into a pillow or wall hanging.

These are all available from http://www.Petiteprints.com

Special Gift Card Offers for the Holidays

The last couple of years, several restaurants and some stores have had special offers for gift cards during the holidays.

For example, if you buy $100 worth of gift cards, you get a bonus $20 gift card* for free. You could get five $20 gift cards, two $50 gift cards, or any combination.

You might just want to get one for yourself while you are at it.

This year I’ve seen this deal offered for Macaroni Grill, which you can also use the card for Maggianos, On the Border, or Chiles.

https://giftcard.brinker.com/maggianos/GiftCert.asp

It seems to only come up on certain pages so I gave you the link to the Maggianos gift card.  You can click on the other restaurants at the bottom of the page if you want the gift card to show from Macaroni Grill or one of the other restaurants.

Note: *$20 bonus card must be used toward a purchase of $50 or more between 1/1/10 – 2/28/10

Also, the Container Store is offering another similar special. If you purchase $100 worth of gift cards, you will recieve a $25 bonus card.  http://www.containerstore.com/giftcard/index.htm

Check their site for details.

I hope these trigger some ideas and inspiration for you!

This is from a Dear Sally column in my ezine answering questions from clients and subscribers.

Dear Sally,

How can I stay excited about my dreams when my family and friends don’t believe in me?

Signed,

Why can’t they believe?

Dear why can’t they believe?,

Dreams can be fragile, especially at the beginning and need to be handled with care. Sometimes, it’s really best to keep them to yourself or only share them with someone you know that won’t shoot them down.

There can be a variety of reasons that family and friends don’t share your vision.
Sometimes they think they are protecting you from getting hurt if things don’t work out the way you hoped.

Sometimes they are jealous that they don’t have a similar passion.

Sometimes they are afraid of how your dream will affect them and their relationship with you. Maybe they feel you won’t have time for them.

It may seem they don’t believe in you, when in reality it’s their own concerns and worries that get in the way of them supporting you in the way you’d like.

You might have to build your “dream muscles” and allow them to get stronger before you share them. Here are a few ideas to do that.

Know why you want that dream. Write about it, think about it, and daydream. Does it resonate with your core values and the things you hold dear?

Find images, create drawings, or doodles that help you to get clear about what you want.

Read and listen to things that keep you inspired.

Find support along the way. You may need to find artists, entrepreneurs, friends, a coach, or others who understand and encourage you.

The more you feel a deep connection with your dream that stirs your soul, you will believe that you can do it, and be willing to meet the challenges along the way.

In the long run, as you believe in yourself, and take small steps and actions toward your dream, no one will be able to take that away from you.

Usually your family and friends will come around once they see your dream is happening. For them, sometimes they have to see it before they can believe it. For you, you need to believe it before you see it!