June 2023

Daily Resolution: Look Out Below! Mistletoe!

When was the last time you stood under the mistletoe? The actual practice of kissing under the mistletoe began in England in the 16^th century, but it is not as popular these days as many people may believe.  Bring the tradition back by hanging some of the greenery in a modest spot in the office or home. Watch how people react. The origins connected to the holiday use of mistletoe come from varied sources. The Celts believed in its power of protection and some cultures believed it had healing power. Today, scientists know it to be a parasitic plant. At the very least it might be a conversation starter or the beginning of a beautiful relationship for someone!

Daily Resolution: Don’t Get Caught Empty-Handed

Last minute invitations or spontaneous celebrations can be very nice, but sometimes it can catch you empty-handed. Keep a drawer or closet space for a few general items that may be handy in a pinch like for celebrating the arrival of a baby or a last minute party invitation. Look for special deals/sales for things that are potential gifts throughout the year: diapers, a bottle of wine, a picture frame, toys, aromatic soaps, etc. Look around your house; you may have some things to serve the purpose without realizing it.

Daily Resolution: Cook-off for Charity

Find a fun way to bring colleagues and friends together for a good cause. Have a cook-off at your work site: Chili, homemade soup, barbecue, whatever your preference. Everyone who enters must make a donation to a charity agreed upon by the participants. Recruit “taste judges” to sample the entries (judges must make a donation as well).  Award ribbons or certificates for the top 3 entries. The bragging rights alone will last throughout the year and will promote the activity for the following year. Be careful when judging the boss’s entry!

Daily Resolution: Use Magnet Magic

Take a look at the door of your refrigerator today. If it is free of clutter, congratulations! If there are various coupons, calendars, bills, etc. layered on, then it is time to straighten it up. Throw away any items that are expired or outdated. Arrange items in some order and remove anything that needs an update (example: photos). Get some new magnets that add personality to your kitchen or get larger clips to hold what you need together. And while you are at it, dust the top of the appliance!

Daily Resolution: Replace Digital With Paper

What if our access to technology were unplugged for a day? Could you function? You might find that fifty cents in your wallet might not go too far with ATMS and credit card swiping gone. And do people really need to call home for directions on what to buy at the grocery store? How about an old fashioned list! Try to go without for a day and see for yourself what is absolutely necessary and what is not. Turn off the TV, kick back with a good book or magazine, and get yourself a snack that does not require the microwave. And it might not be such a bad idea to put a few dollars under your mattress, either.

Daily Resolution: Make Lunch for a Friend

Surprise someone by packing him/her an old fashioned brown bag lunch. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are hard to resist. Add some fruit and a sweet snack: apple and chocolate chip cookies might fit the bill. Throw in some juice or a bottle of water. It is cheaper than going out to lunch and it will save on a tip. Don’t forget to pack a napkin! For adults only.

Daily Resolution: Be a Follower

Decide on someone inspirational to “follow.” This can be a spiritual leader (local or global), a columnist, a friend, your boss, etc. Educate yourself on what the person stands for or stood for and how his/her values align with your own. Follow the person on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, or pick up a biography and read up. You may find this an unexpected road to self-discovery.

Daily Resolution: Ditch the Paper

In an electronic age, people are still inundated with holding on to papers. A receipt from the local convenient store for that coffee you bought this morning, an envelope that has been opened, a scrap with miscellaneous notes sits on a desk, etc. Set a goal today to find 10 pieces of any kind of paper around your house or office that you do not need any longer and get rid of it! If you are able, set up a container to put it in and recycle the contents. Set a weekly goal like a large bag of paper and then take to your nearest recycling center. Encourage others in your household to participate. You will be amazed over the realization that we hold on to so many unnecessary pieces of paper.

Daily Resolution: Give Yourself a Culture Shock

Because the world continues to become a more global society (in work and play), it is not a bad idea to learn a little bit about other cultures. Understanding even subtle differences can clarify the way we interpret others and the way they understand us. Have you ever felt “crowded” by someone who got very close to you while having a conversation? Were you ever put off by the way someone addressed or greeted you? Before you get too offended by someone of another culture or vice versa, try to realize there may be different cultural norms and practices in place. Negotiating an international business deal can be especially costly if you overreact to something unnecessarily. Take the time to provide yourself with a dose of cultural understanding.

Daily Resolution: Walk It Off

Everyone knows what this day means: The first day of walking off that turkey dinner! If you resisted the temptation to overeat, try to encourage someone else to get up and take a walk today. Make a point of doing a little extra exercise; take the stairs instead of the elevator. Skip any snacks or the whipped cream on that specialty coffee. Remind yourself that this time of year does not signal an open invitation to indulgence. Get those walking shoes on.

If you didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, then take a walk anyway. In fact, have a big lunch or dinner, and then walk it off!