Wrapping Up the Holidays
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With all the hustle and bustle at the malls this time of year, it’s hard to remember everything on your to do list when there’s so much to do and so many distractions. Giftwrap seems to be one of those things that come in last on my list, and something I always tend to forget, leaving me scrambling at the last minute.
I’m not one for going all out on wrapping the gifts I give, but I do tend to get creative, especially if I don’t want to fight the crowds for a few bows and some ribbon. Here are some last minute gift wrap ideas that not only recycle and reuse, but are innovative and add your own personal touch.
• Don’t have any tissue paper? Cut the handles and the logo off the front of any plastic bag.
• Don’t have gift boxes? Use cereal boxes or cardboard packaging, turn them inside out (so the graphics are on the inside) and re-glue. Decorate the outside as you wish, or wrap with paper.
• Don’t have ribbon? Cut up some thin strips of colored paper, curl, and tape together as you wish.
• Don’t have tags? Use colored paper that complements the wrapping, and fold it into a mini card. Design your own and print them out on card paper. Or sew some together with some extra fabric so you can reuse them year after year.
These may seem as simple as simple can be, but the bottom line is that anything can be recycled and reused. Experiment and see what you can do this holiday season to make your gift-giving extra special.
~Amanda~
Learning to Let Go with Grace
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Letting go gracefully is not something that is second nature to most. Accepting change and allowing change to happen naturally can be a tough, emotionally stressful process. So how do we teach ourselves to let go gracefully?
When most people find themselves in a new chapter in their life or are dealing with an unexpected surprise, they may already have the outcomes figured out, or expect things to go a certain way. Then, when (or if) the situation doesn’t turn out as planned, there is disappointment. This makes it tough to let go.
What we fail to realize is that change is constant and change is inevitable. It’s pretty much impossible to prevent because it’s something that naturally happens.
Before there is even the need for “letting go” (of something or someone), we have to let go of the expectations tied to it. How it will turn out or what it will all look like in the future is unknown, so why bother with creating the outcome? Let yourself be surprised about the what-ifs and just go with the flow. Take hold of opportunities that may arise from the situation and be thankful that you’re learning, growing, and living life… gracefully.
~Amanda~
Be Your Unique Self
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Whenever I take a vacation, for some reason I seem to notice the people around me more than when I’m in my comfort zone. On my last vacation, I couldn’t help but notice a scary similarity between some of the people I saw. They all had the same fashion sense, wore their hair in the same way, and wore similar accessories to go with their outfits. It piqued my interest about my own originality and whether I was showing my true self.
Seeing people who dressed alike and then seeing those who dressed in their own way, was refreshing, inspiring, and great to be around. It reminded me that it’s OK to be a little different, to think a little different, to talk a little different, to even look a little different.
The fear of being different isn’t unfounded. Like many, when you were younger, fitting in may have been difficult and going against the crowd may have always sparked attention that you may have not wanted. Growing up you carry that fear – but in reality… what is the worst that could happen? Looking back, it wasn’t all that bad to be different, so as adults we have to remember that it’s OK to embrace (and enhance) those differences, and not be scared to show people who you really are.
Enrich your spirit and be your unique self.
~Amanda~
Mother Earth Is More Fragile Than You May Think
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When you think of all the small things that make up Mother Earth, you realize how truly amazing and truly fragile “she” is. A match can destroy a forest, a colony of animals, and insects that are vital to our food chain. An oil spill can harm our delicate eco-system, and greenhouse gases can tear apart our atmosphere.
Chaotic weather, climate change, extinction of animals, demise of “her” natural beauty… they’re all signs it’s time for us to be more careful.
Think of Mother Earth the same way you think of your own home. Treat her with kindness and respect; it’s a good way to become more aware of how one person (multiplied by millions) can affect her health and wellness, in good ways and bad. So far she’s been pretty forgiving. Now it’s time to pay her back. Appreciate her beauty, thank her for her wonders, and treat her with the same respect you would show your most loved.
~Amanda~
Finding Your True Holiday Spirit
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The holidays are a time to slow yourself down and take a moment to make new memories and cherish old traditions. However, each year the “spirit of the season” seems to drift away in a sea of material items and commercialization. I can’t help but wonder if this is why the holidays have become so stressful for so many. It seems we’ve completely lost touch with the true meaning of the holiday spirit.
In order to get back to the roots of it all, we must first define what makes the holidays special to us. When I look back, the things that first come to mind aren’t the food or the gifts or the parties. Although I’m very grateful and lucky to have those things, the things I really cherish the most are the moments, the memories, the traditions. Like going for a late-night walk in the snow… and all I hear is the world standing still. Like playing card games with relatives while sipping on hot cocoa… and all I hear is stories and laughs. Like taking one full day for myself to read or festively decorate my home… and all I feel is inner peace.
The little things, whatever they may be, are what truly make the holidays memorable and joyous. So… what does your holiday spirit look like?
~Amanda~
Are Simple Beginnings on the Brink of Extinction?
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There was once a time when neighbors were friends and invited each other over for coffee or a BBQ, people passing on the street would give a friendly greeting, drivers would give a wave of thanks for letting them in your lane, and stores were owned and operated by the locals, offering unique one-of-a-kind items.
When I stop and take a look around as if I were a small town girl who’s never been in a city before, it amazes me that in place of these simple things are less lovable traits that make me want to go back to wherever it was I came from: a threatening note instead of a BBQ invitation, a middle finger instead of a waving hand, and swear words instead of a friendly greeting. It makes me wonder what happened to those friendly simple beginnings. I have to wonder whether they are on the brink of extinction.
A smile and a hello from someone you’ve never met is something everyone should practice in a world that is becoming more and more angry. Giving a smile never hurt anyone. Saying thanks doesn’t end the world. So why not keep the simple beginnings alive? You never know whose day you’ll make.
~Amanda~
The Miracle of Teamwork
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I’m not much of a sports fan but I did happen to watch a movie called “Miracle” the other night and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. What I loved most was the message. Putting all the best players onto one team doesn’t necessarily make it the best team in the league. What you need to do is find the right players.
Sure, having the best people under one roof may sound great but we have to be sure to not let that wonderful competitive spirit turn ugly. Combining competition with ego can result in a so-called “team” competing against each other in order to outshine the others. How will your company ever get to the top if your team is constantly battling each other?
Through my experiences, I’ve seen this happen quite often. More than one person wants to be right or have the best idea, even though they should be thinking about what is best for the company. Others don’t want to compromise their ideas or become stubborn to change, leaving them to become difficult and uncooperative if the direction of a project changes.
This is why having the right people on your “team” means little to no office politics and better focus on the true goals of the company. So when seeking out that helping hand, find the helping hand that really does help instead of hinder.
~Amanda~
Do You Have a Career? Or Just Another Job?
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My mom has been at her job for over 35 years. That’s pretty amazing, given the way things are these days. One day I asked her if that career was something she sought out to do when she was younger; she told me that it was just something that happened to fall into her lap at the age of 18. She enjoyed what she did, so never really thought of the other possibilities.
Like her, there may be many who find themselves in a great career that happened to fall in their lap and they are perfectly happy with how it turned out. However, some of us may find ourselves in “just a job”, finding frustration in the fact that there is no room for advancement or growth.
I, myself, have had a few of these. It wasn’t what I really wanted to do but I stuck around to see out the possibilities. I ended up getting too comfortable and not pushing my limits, hence stunting my creative growth. With this came unhappiness and I knew it was time to land that career I had worked so hard for in school.
Think of it: we spend 40 hours (or more) at our place of work. Multiply that by 40 years. That’s a huge chunk of our lives, so why not spend it being a little happier in what we do every day?
The good thing is, one always has the power to change direction. Remember what lit your fire when you were young and tap into those passions. Hopefully there’s a career out there that suits everything you want and need, so you can be rid of those “jobs” for good.
~Amanda~
Communication Can Make It or Break It
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Last week, I was excited to receive a letter from a charity I had recently donated money to. I flipped it open only to read that they needed more money. To my surprise there was only a small portion of the letter dedicated to how donations are helping. I was upset and shocked to think that a charity with such a good reputation within the community wasn’t more sensitive to how they communicated with their donors. As a donor, I want to hear how my “little bit” is helping, what new programs they have in place, and how many lives were saved or enriched due to improved services. In my eyes, this letter came across as negative and ungrateful. Why should I donate again if what I’m doing isn’t helping just the littlest bit?
In discussing my point of view with the charity’s marketing director, it became clear that it was in no way meant to come across as I had perceived it, but they needed to be made aware of their error. Instead of communicating their position on the matter, many people might have simply not donated another penny. A miscommunication is understandable but if it was a different situation, it could have cost that charity a donor/client.
Opening letters, reading email, and conversing with people are everyday occurrences; miscommunications are bound to happen and could cost you a client, a business partner, an employee, an interview, a job. So to make the most of your communications, it’s best to practice taking a little more care in writing. Even the smallest of memos or the shortest of sentences could mean the difference between “make” or “break”.
~Amanda~
Victories in Disguise
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There was a point in my past where I hit a career high. I was doing what I loved in an environment I had sought for what seemed like forever. Having reached it at such a young age, I was grateful and thought it was all up from there.
I could not have been more wrong.
Only a month into my career high, I hit my career low. Not fitting into my new position, I was set free. Being the eternal optimist (no hard feelings!), I knew there was a reason why I was now looking for another path, so that’s what I set out to do. It made me realize I had to find not only a design career, but a design career that fit who I am.
You see, even though we may love and crave the careers we choose, it might take some time to find the right environment to really excel in. With so many options and so many different kinds of companies out there, which one works for you?
Finding the right work environment is not something that happens overnight when there are so many choices; patience and resilience are necessities. While testing the waters, occasionally failure might rear its ugly head. Personally I don’t call it failure, because failure means you let the experience decide you shouldn’t try again. In reality, it’s all part of our professional and personal growth and is necessary in order to find the right “fit”.
I always remember that without great failure there cannot be great success, so I use this as my motto to not be afraid to take risks and put myself out on a limb again. The universe has a funny way of blessing us with opportunity. It may not come in the pretty package we expect. If we’re open to “whatever will be, will be”, we can turn our experiences into great victories instead of great defeats.
~Amanda~
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