Tonja's Blog
Gifts of the Heart
December 9th, 2009
As a college student living on ramen noodles, I remember shopping with my mother and her friend just before the holidays. I had no extra money to spend, but wanted them to know I cared and showed them my “wish” gifts for them in the store - a pair of luxurious cashmere loungewear sets. They loved it and we had a great time “wish gifting” one another and laughing all afternoon.
With the holidays ringing in and finances tight for many of us, I am reminded of this story and want to take it a little further and deeper. My question for you is, “If you had a budget of little to none, what are the most meaningful gifts you could share with the ones you love this holiday season?” This is a great time to turn the holidays into an opportunity to reconnect with one another, and the meaning of the season.
When planning, think about:
- What would you most love and appreciate from friends and family?
- What would be a treat from them?
- What do they really need?
- What are some special talents or passions you have to share?
- What are some ways to enjoy spending time together?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Evening of babysitting or day of dog sitting
- Help organize a space in the home
- Cook a favorite dinner and put on a feel-good movie
- Pass on a great book from your personal library
- Attend a holiday festival or concert together
- Spend quality time together outdoors or volunteering in the community
- Turn on some soft music, warm up your fingers and treat them to a massage
These are incredibly special gifts and should be presented as such, so create a certificate (there are free templates online) and beautiful packages to unwrap and delight your loved ones.
Happy holidays!
Establishing Rhythm
August 25th, 2009
With summer closing and my children returning to school, I cannot help thinking about getting into a new groove, a fall routine. Although we are still experiencing triple digit days in my hometown, it feels like a change of season, filled with new opportunities and experiences, as well as a return to “normalcy” that many of us crave.
Establishing and practicing a rhythm, for yourself, for your work and your family around your values and priorities, is integral to experiencing and enjoying daily life. Even if you travel frequently for work, as many of my clients do, establishing regular practices that feed your spirit - a morning walk, afternoon chat with a friend or evening cup of tea - help ground us in the midst of change and uncertainty.
As you reflect on your fall rhythm, consider this:
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What do you want for yourself this season? For your family? Your work? How should it feel?
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What is important now (to be at your personal best)? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
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What do you want to experience now?
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What is no longer important that you can let go of, or can be put on hold for this season?
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With this in mind, what would an optimum weekly rhythm look like? What can I put into place today? Tomorrow? Next week?
Enjoy your new fall rhythm and if you’d like additional resources on establishing seasonal joys and traditions, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach and Sabbath: Finding Rest Renewal and Delight in our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller are great reads and two of my personal favorites.
Easy Summer Living
June 8th, 2009
Each Spring, we daydream of the easygoing, lighthearted, barefoot fun summer months ahead. Then, after camps are scheduled and vacations are planned, we’re in the grind again and Fall is looming, leaving us wondering where these months of slow living went…
Enjoy these 10 tips for easy summer living, and share your own…
- What kind of summer do you really want? State a clear intention for the months ahead. Include others in your household and make it a family discussion.
- Create a list of the things you want to do this summer and place them on your calendar, or on a bulletin board - move an activity from the bulletin board to the calendar daily, weekly or monthly.
- What will you say “no” to, or pause on, for the short summer months? Create space for your dream summer without the stress of trying to fit “extra stuff” into an already full calendar.
- Know your optimum activity to downtime ratio and book it! Yes - reserve downtime in your calendar so you prevent filling it up.
- Understand your balance equilibrium and space out events and trips accordingly.
- Enjoy simple suppers outdoors. My favorite is Caprese Salad - a ball of fresh mozzarella with tomato slices, basil leaves and olive oil.
- Play! Run through the sprinklers, enjoy a popsicle, walk to the pool.
- Enjoy a “staycation”. Enjoying regional offerings is a great way to explore with minimum planning, cost and carbon footprint.
- Simplify gatherings - keep the guest lists and menus simple. Pot luck suppers are easy to manage and a small crowd enables you to have real conversations and enjoy your guests.
- Enjoy FULLY! Allow yourself to be fully present in the moment and experience. Stress comes from living in the past, or the future - enjoy the now…
Happy Summertime!
