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A Little but Very True Christmas Story
Soul Restoration Tip
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Holiday Greetings!  Welcome to all!  I so appreciate you being a part of The Bright Side community and for the ways in which you share your lives with me.
 It is wonderful to receive your emails and calls and to get to know you on a more personal level.  Really -- thank you for that gift.  :)

And it is the season of giving, is it not?  To show my appreciation for you, I am offering FREE COACHING DAY on Friday, December 15. Obviously space is limited (I can only coach so fast!), so to reserve a time slot, email me with the following information:

1. Name:
2. Best Time for You:  *(please note that all times need to be in Eastern
   Standard Time)*
3. The nature of what you would like coaching on.  (just a line or two)

This is my simple gift to you.  I hope you will take me up on it!  :)

The featured article is entitled A Little but Very True Christmas Story.  I am very respectful and open to all spirituality and religions. At the risk of being politically incorrect, however, Christmas is a holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.  To make it anything else, or something that it is not, isn't in my nature.  It is my hope that people from any spiritual background will find some truths and peace in this little (but true) story.

Happiest of Holiday Seasons!
With Love,
Beth

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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A Little but Very True Christmas Story

"If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we
consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds?
Or brood over the coming of a child, as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel.  A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life".  ~ Author Unknown
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Once upon a time there was a little girl who grew up in a family in which she was loved and taken care of.  She wasn't rich in the material sense, but she certainly had it better than many other children her age. She was comfortable and well taken care of in all the ways that children need to be taken care of. It was a good life.

And she was happy.  And she LOVED Christmas!  She loved decorating the house and the tree.  She loved helping her Mom bake and cook that special meal.
 She loved the Christmas secrets and the anticipation that Santa was coming.
 She loved going to church and seeing the live Nativity. She loved the carols and hummed them all though the Holiday season. She loved having people in the house and hearing the laughter that filled the air.  It was all so magical! And she had peace in her heart.

The little girl grew up, got married and had a family. She had a nice home and many nice things.  For several years things were fine and Christmas remained a special time. Babies make for such sweet Christmas memories.

As time went on, and the years passed, she began to realize that something was missing.  How it happened remains a mystery, but suddenly there was no magic in the Christmas season.  December became a month of frantic emptiness.

The Holidays were filled with endless errands, finding the biggest, best,
newest toys.  Nights were filled with empty parties of people she didn't
really care to know.  Days were filled running from one event to the next.
Time was spent writing piles of Christmas cards (with a picture enclosed of
the 'perfect family,' of course). Afterall, the more cards one sends, the
more friends she has, right?

She spent time cooking mountains of food and every type of cookie known to mankind.  The refrigerator overflowed with food that could never be eaten before spoiling, even if a small army was visiting. She went to bed late at night, falling into a dead sleep -- nothing else to give.  No time for gratitude, prayers or a hug.

Because this is a true story, the truth must be told, and the truth is that
there was adversity and pain through the years. There was the marriage that no longer worked and divorce followed.  The end of a long term relationship and friendship was hurtful. And a child who became seriously and chronically ill was devastating. There was simply no magic.  How could there be joy in such sorrowful times?  There was no peace in the woman's heart.

Time went on, as it always does, and things eventually began to change.  
Healing took place as the woman took charge of her life. She found that many, many answers are found in silence and stillness.  And the woman began to relearn what she knew as a child.  

She learned that it really doesn't matter WHAT is in your life as much as WHO is in your life. She learned that 'illusions' are for mirrors, but not for the real world.  She learned that to fully love others, you must love
yourself too.  

She learned the humming Christmas carols can brighten the spirits on any day.
 She learned to say 'no!' to the things she didn't really want, and 'yes!' to the things she did.  She learned that simple things like taking your kids to cut down a Christmas tree can be the make the most wonderful memories of all.
She learned that Christmas isn't merely a season -- it's a feeling.

She grew so much and she glowed with anticipation of all that could be! She filled her time with meaningful and lasting things like deep friendships, time to read a book, and sit by the fire with a child.  She learned that 'more' can be a burden and bigger is not always better.

Sometimes it is the simplest of gifts in which the richness lies. And giving
is always wonderful, but receiving with grace is also a gift to others. She
learned that God is always here and He doesn't give up on you even if you
want to give up on yourself. And she learned that peace in your heart is the most precious gift of all.

Today, the little girl, who grew into a woman, allows herself to become a
little girl again. And Christmas is sacred once more.

The End.
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Soul Restoration Tip

What's your December strategy?

Before it becomes overwhelming, make out your plan to sail though the
Holidays with joy and grace!  A winning strategy will get you through with a lot less stress and a whole lot more peace.  Think and journal about the
following:

What are the things you absolutely want to say 'yes' to?  The things you need to say 'no' to?  Who do you want to share your time with?  How are you going to give to others? How are you going to keep from overspending?  How can you give in ways that do not have monetary value?  How are you going to take care of yourself during this busy season?  What are the things that will nurture your spirit as you close out the year?

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Thanks for sharing with me and for letting me share part of who I am with you.  Wishing you warm fires, cozy pajamas, enthralling books, delicious (but calorie-free!) treats, smiles, hugs and a spirit of peace. :)

Beth