With the abundance of bleak information what are you doing to lift your spirits? What makes you laugh, relax, dance, and smile? And how often are you doing that activity?

For me, it’s music (resulting in mini-American Idol moments as I sing along!). I’ve elected to increase my listening time by ~30 minutes a day. It’s been awesome and to create this I’ve had to reduce my news consumption…reducing the negative input and increasing the positive, a double gain.

What does it for you? How can you fit a little more laughing, walking, dancing, writing, reading into your day? Whatever it is that connects you to your inner joy, bump up its space on your calendar and enjoy yourself. Be well.

FYI – The Dixie Chix, ‘Taking the Long Way’ are my present company!

Here's a witty look at 2008. Enjoy and may you laugh often and prosper in 2009!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY

What? Who are you kidding? There aren’t any gifts in this economic climate! Well, I beg to differ. Every situation has the ability to bring us gifts, opening our eyes and hearts, is the first step to finding them. The most obvious gift for me is a desire to simplify. With such turmoil, I’m finding comfort in little actions of simplification. For example:

Do, Toss, or File

You know those piles of ‘things to do’ around your desk. Create time to put them in their place. My ‘rule’ is touch each piece of paper once, do it, toss it, or file it. (Hint; create a ‘delayed toss’ file for the uncertain items. (In 5+ years I’ve never retrieved anything from mine.)

Don’t Love It? Don’t Use It? Donate it.

De-cluttering brings a sense of openness not to mention a tidier space. As you walk through your home notice items, do you love it? Do you use it? No? Why keep it? Find a spot for a donation box, when it’s full, deliver it. Donate it for the good of others.

Single Task

That’s right, give up multi-taking for just one hour a day. Really focus on what’s at hand; hearing about your partners’ day, folding the laundry, or walking the dog. Do just one thing and enjoy being present.

White Space

Give yourself at minimum 5 minutes of white space a day, time to sit quietly and be undisturbed. Where can you find 5 minutes? How about taking a media sabbatical? Turn the news off and tune into yourself.

How else can you simplify? What one change will make your day better? Now do it. Find the gifts you need during this rowdy economy and embrace the abundance you have.

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The extra hour of sleep is often the most welcome part of our fall daylight savings concept. As the days grow shorter and the dark arrives earlier it can be challenging to stick to exercise plans. The benefits of exercise are fairly well known and a quick review of just 7, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic, can keep you motivated through the winter. 

1. Exercise improves your mood.
2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.
3. Exercise helps you manage you weight.
4. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep.
6. Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life.
7. Exercise can be – gasp – fun!

Interested in any of the above? I thought so. Your challenge is to not give into the temptation of the sofa and that fuzzy blanket until after you’re daily movement routine is complete. You’re winter will be brighter even though it’s dark out.