New Christmas Tradition

Christmas 2011 --- Birth of a New Tradition As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.
Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificate from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Nov 7, 2011 Life Lesson, Learn To Bend

The Tree and The Reed  from  Aesop's Fables

Once, when a tree had been badly damaged by the wind, It noticed that the reed had not been hurt at all.
The tree said to the reed, " I am strong and thick, and you are thin and weak. Why does the wind injure me and not you?" The reed answered , " I know how weak I am, so when the wind blows I bend along with it and I don't feel the full force of it. But you rely on your strength and you fight the the wind.....
That is why you always get broken."

Morale: Judge your own strength and act accordingly.

It seems my life lesson is to quit trying to force things to happen and to let them happen. To go with the flow... it will come. Sometimes when spirit says no , it is not no but a simple not now... when we are ready it will happen.

Spirit, may to teach me patience and let me know that all happens in your time.

Angel Blessings

Photos For Your Meditations

Understanding, Peace and Love as well as Money Blessings and strength to embrace Change

Gems of Healing

Fall is Here

The weather was lovely today, a crisp taste of fall was in the air.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons...... Winter , Fall, Spring  and the dreaded Summer.
Many happy memories surround fall, hog killing, tobacco in the barn, fall festivals, gathering in the pumpkins, planning for Christmas..... must most of all I love fall weather.

Laska

Clutter and Cleaning

As fall is the season of harvest, I have chosen to make this my season of giving. Cleaning out, giving away , selling to have money for charity and in general just let go of many things I now know are
unnecessary. Things that served a purpose for me at one time.

My Mantra
I have chosen to let go.
I have chosen to let go with gratitude.
I know that the things I give away will return to me
in a more perfect way, In a way that be useful for me now.
I have chosen to make this my time of transformation.
Thanking the universe for attracting these things to me
and allowing me to have loved them.
Now that I no longer have a purpose for them, allow them to be
placed in homes that can use them.
I am now free of the physical baggage that clutted my mind.
The more I share the more space I have to recieve and
enjoy new things.
I have chosen to put my life in order.
This is my season for new beginnings.