When you have been given a gift, it is still good manners to send a thank you note. Our tradition has always been that before you play with a new toy, the thank you must be sent. For children too young to write, drawing a picture is acceptable and helps to begin a good habit that will last a lifetime. Tying the ability to play with the new item to the writing of the thank you note, increases the likelihood of it getting written. There is an excitement when something is new, that encourages getting the note done. This habit will be of great use when great events begin to happen in life -- not just Christmas and birthdays, but Confirmation, Graduations, Showers, Weddings, Baby Showers and the like.

My great grandmother used to say, "Pretty is, as pretty does." And of course she was right. If you are acting ugly, you will be perceived as ugly. If your heart is beautiful, so will you be. This is a long way around the bush to say: The best way to feel beautiful is to do wonderful, beautiful things to others. Smile at the crabby woman at the grocery store. Pick up the piece of trash on the sidewalk, that you were about to step over. Read a book to a child. I think you get the idea. Step away from what ever it is that is causing you negatives, and spread some love and sunshine around. You'll be feeling beautiful in no time!

Every so often, take a risk. Step out of your comfort zone, and try something new. My mother used to counsel us to try something we’d never done before, and if we didn’t like it, we didn’t have to do it again, but we might find a new hobby, skill or interest. My Grampa Gust used to say you needed to choose something that “makes your liver quiver”. The more often the better. Also, crazy is good, insane isn’t.

Be sparing with ultimatums. Follow each through to its completion. It’s important to your integrity. Incomplete ultimatums result in no one paying attention when you state them. In other words, if you can’t do it, don’t say it. (no crying wolf)

If you find yourself frequently feeling short-tempered or overwhelmed, you have too many things on your plate. Back-up, refine your choices, eliminate either the offending item, or person and see if tranquility returns to your life. If it doesn’t, there’s more to be streamlined or eliminated. This is especially true during busy holiday seasons. There’s a good reason why God rested on the seventh day. You need time to rest too!

There’s an old joke: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at at time. Don’t let a daunting task overwhelm you. Pick a small part of it and dig in. One bite at a time, you can accomplish anything!

Embrace your age no matter what the calendar says. Right this minute you are the youngest you will ever be and oldest you have ever been. Every day is a blessing. Each new day is a new opportunity to try something you’ve never done before. Each wrinkle and gray hair celebrates your journey through life. Do your best to take care of the body you are traveling in, but “procedures” designed to make you look like you are much younger only highlight your insecurity. Project confidence in your age and celebrate all the “battle scars” (wrinkles, greys, sagging, etc.) you have earned!