YOUR LIFE A-Z:TEDDY BEAR

I Have Plenty of Hugs for You

TEDDY BEAR

The story of the TEDDY BEAR comes alive through President Teddy Roosevelt who reportedly refused to shoot a tied up bear. Roosevelt was on a bear hunting expedition and the expedition was failing miserably to produce a bear for the President to shoot.  Finally the dogs trapped a poor old fat bear and the hunting party tied it up for our president to shoot.  When the President arrived to the site and found the bear tied up, he refused to kill it because he said killing it would not be honorable sportsmanship.  This story was deemed compassionate and quickly spread from the hunting camp throughout the country.  A female candy shop owner in Brooklyn made the first TEDDY BEAR from a picture that appeared in the Washington Post.  She wrote President Roosevelt and requested permission to name the bear TEDDY BEAR and from that day on TEDDY BEARS have danced into the hearts of children across America, especially appearing under the tree on Christmas morning.  Did you have a TEDDY BEAR as a child?  Do you have a TEDDY BEAR today?  Have you ever seen a TEDDY BEAR that did not make your heart warm up and your whole body smile?  There is something adorable and magical about TEDDY BEARS.  If you are in need of nurturance, a hug, or just some friendly soul to pour your heart out to, then maybe you will benefit by putting a TEDDY BEAR under your tree this Christmas. 

YOUR LIFE A-Z:GENEROUSITY

PRACTICE GENEROSITY

GENEROSITY

The holiday season can if we are open to sharing, open our hearts to GENEROSITY.  It is a time when food banks, angel trees, and charities are appealing to you to open your wallets in the spirit of the holiday.  This year allow yourself to be a little more GENEROUS than in years past.  Allow your heart to filled with GENEROSITY and open your wallet to gift to those less fortunate than you.  You never know when it might be you whose life takes a downward turn and find yourself in need.  However, don’t be GENEROUS out of fear, be GENEROUS out of a heart of gratitude.  There is always more than enough and plenty to go around.  Ever notice that the stingier you are the more restrictive your life becomes?  On the other hand, the more you give the more that is available in abundance to give.  GENEROSITY is shared out of freedom. Scrooge exists out of fear and bitterness.  If you are afraid to let go of your purse strings then this is a perfect time to test the paradox of GENEROSITY.   Set aside a percentage of your holiday budget (you do have one don’t you?) and give that percentage to those in need during this holiday season.  You may discover that by the beginning of the New Year you feel more wealthy and enriched than you have noticed in years before.  GENEROSITY it magical in that it gives back by elevating your mood, makes you feel happy and productive.  Practice GENEROSITY this holiday and watch it multiply.

YOUR LIFE A-Z: WIZARD

DISCOVER YOUR INNER WIZARD

WIZARD

I love the synchronicity of the TWENTY-MINUTE COACH.  Yesterday’s word was Valor.  Today’s word is WIZARD. Yes, it takes magic to practice Valor, and learning to be a WIZARD will help you practice Valor in your day-to-day life.  Living consciously is the magic of being a WIZARD.  I have a whole series called, “Discover Your Inner Wizard.”  You do have a skillful wise part of yourself who is capable of flying under the radar when necessary or who is also capable of whirling around a magic wand to make someone else’s day spectacular.  A simple smile at a complete stranger is being a WIZARD, by transforming someone’s boring or sad day into a day of good cheer.  Being a WIZARD is fun and gives you permission to be spontaneous and shower folks with unexpected gifts of happiness, such as a card out of nowhere, a telephone call saying, “Hi, just calling you because I can to let you know I am thinking of you.”  Being a WIZARD allows you to walk through walls of defense, smash down angry attitudes with gentleness, andcreate opportunities where there appears to be no possibilities.  Stretch into your WIZARD clothes, put on your magical hat, and look deep within your heart to discover the magic of love, compassion and gratitude. The more grateful you are the more magical and WIZARD like you become.  Look into your bag of magic tricks and go forth today to unleash your inner WIZARD on all of those around you.  Be sure to get your smile on.