I know you must be busy this week with all the holiday festivities so I'll keep this newsletter short! :-) It's certainly been a beautiful year for me and I'm so excited to have shared it with you all through our online connections and our growing community here! I'm very grateful for life's sweetest blessings. From growing my business to making the best-seller list with Overcomers, Inc. to excitedly awaiting to meet our newest family member to this beautiful community, life has certainly been a treasure trove of blessings for me personally this year. How about you? Take some time today and spend a few minutes in gratitude for all your blessings this year. Really connect deep within and reflect at all the good in your life.

While this is a most exciting holiday month, I also understand it's been a tough year for many so I'm continuing with Part II as I promised in the last ezine in offering tips to helping your loved ones overcome the holiday stress (last month's article was on overcoming the holidays specifically for any of you that have personally dealt with a tough year).

Also, check out our exciting Heal Your Life Intensive to get started with a full commitment to making 2010 your best year. You will learn guaranteed and tested principles to healing and creating your best life.

Finally and most importantly, WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS! I am so excited to have you join our growing community and know you will love all the great resources and inspirational tips here.

The holiday season can be a time of great joy or great sadness. If you have a friend or loved one who is coping with a job loss, death, serious illness, or home foreclosure, it can be hard to know how to help. These tips from the authors of Overcomers, Inc., True Stories of Hope, Courage, and Inspiration will help:

1. Be sensitive to your loved ones' limited financial resources. If your brother's just lost his job, bragging about your holiday ski trip would be cruel.Instead, suggest low-cost or free holiday gift suggestions so that everyone can participate, even if money is tight.
2. For the recently widowed or others who are in mourning, don't avoid mentioning the departed family member. Gently reminisce about favorite family memories. It's better to speak of the departed than to carefully avoid all mention of his or name. Follow the lead of the person in grief. If the discussion is too difficult, he or she will change the subject. Many times, the widow or widower will appreciate the chance to share a memory of the lost loved one.
3. Allow people to have their space, but watch out for isolation. Stress and grief can be exhausting. Your friend or family member may not be up to the traditional all day shopping trip or noisy holiday party. Let him or her set the pace. However, if you sense that your loved one is withdrawing from everything, consider stopping by for a quiet visit or a cup of tea.Loneliness is most acute during the holidays so some extra loving care will be very helpful.
4. Invite your loved one to an uplifting community activity. Holiday concerts, drives to see colored lights, and religious activities can be a source of connection and enjoyment. It's hard not to smile when you see a child's joy or a humorous holiday play. Fun is often in short supply, especially when things are hard. Strive to bring some joy to your loved one and increase their contact with their community.
5. Be patient and understanding.Your efforts to bring joy and comfort will be appreciated, even if your hurting loved one can't express that gratitude right at the moment. A person dealing with a serious life challenge can be emotionally fragile so be gentle, encouraging, and present. That understanding is the best possible gift you can provide.

Are you ready to take your life to a new level of awareness?

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DETAILS
Dates: Tuesdays from Jan. 12 to Feb. 09, 2010
Time: 5:30 pm PST / 6:30 pm MST / 7:30 pm CST / 8:30 pm EST
Place: From the comfort of your home or office phone, anywhere in the world
Includes: Downloadable Recordings, Handouts, and Interactive Private Online Group for full-out participation