March Madness

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Can you believe it is March already? It feels like it was yesterday we were saying goodbye to 2014. March madness just began. No, I’m not talking about college basketball, although I enjoy that too. Both of our kids are playing basketball too. Their schedules are madness and that is just added to all the things we are doing this month. We are going through changes and transitions. The sculpting and painting parties are more. I’ll be speaking on Online Media Tips for Artists. Seems like everything decided to happen in the same month. To add to the equation, I am turning 40 this month too.

There are times where all the blessings come together. I love to watch our daughter and how excited she gets when she gets a surprise. Is often the small things that make the big difference and make our eyes spark and our smiles stretch wide. Blessings add challenges too. There are adjustments to make, some busier days, and a lot to figure out. I think it is great. The most important thing is to be thankful. Of course, time management is important and to remain calm when things don’t go as well.

It is true that small blessings make a great difference as they accumulate. The opposite is also true. Sometimes small not so pleasant things happen one after the other and it is there where many people get angry, anxious, stressed, and can’t remain calm. It is important to recognize the signs of the snowball effect when things like this happen. It is also like quicksand: the more one tries to fight it the quicker one sinks. Remain calm! Be aware! Focus on the good things! Manage your time wisely! Be thankful!

The Eye of the Hurricane

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Coming from the tropical island of Puerto Rico talking about hurricanes is pretty common. Most recently with hurricanes reaching New York and New England in the past few years seems like a commonality here too. While we don’t get hurricanes during this season, Christmas time feels like a hurricane but not of wind and rain, but of people. Just sit back in the eye of the hurricane and observe. Look around you. Look at yourself. Are you falling in the same madness of the world during the holidays?

During this time people run around like crazy trying to fulfill the self-imposed demands of the season. People put too much emphasis in ‘getting stuff’ for the season and very little emphasis in enjoying the season. This time is for much more than buying stuff. Yes, giving is important. It feels great to give. Stressing and running over other people to get that ephemeral object, and falling in debt (less than ephemeral) to satisfy false expectations is of little sense and value.

If you are giving, give from the heart and within your means. Spend quality time with the people you care about. Call those who are far. Send a text message, a card, FaceTime with them. Let them know you are thinking about them.