Daily Gratitude: As we enter the “holiday” season full on, maybe it’s time to ask ourselves what we really need. It’s funny..as I was thinking about this, I kept going back to what’s in my pack for the Vol State race across Tennessee. My goal there is to have my pack as light as possible as I have to carry it for 10 days 20-21 hours a day. I now have a series of questions I ask myself about every piece of gear I carry. So, when I examined myself and my life and looked at what I really need beyond the basic human needs (food, water, sleep, shelter, air) I realized that I “need” (I think it’s a relative term and to some these might seem luxury items but they are my “needs”): my medical prescriptions, my glasses and my computer. Some days I’d say my microwave and instant pot but that’s only being playful. My computer contains all of my past ideas and books I’m working on. It also has all the apps to interact with the world (mostly necessary for financial stuff). One could say that’s living in the past and they might be right. Could I live without it? Yes. Maybe my phone is more important. I’ll have to examine that. My glasses are necessary so I can learn and people must continue to learn or they lose interest in life. Why didn’t I say that my thousand or so books aren’t necessary? Because I can find them in a library or a bookstore. You’re probably scoffing and saying “you didn’t lost money” and you’re right because what I was concentrating on were material objects in or around my home. I hope that makes sense. This is an ongoing process. What is necessary for me really is human interaction and being able to give to others. And that’s important to me for more than just one or two months of the year. What can you give to others that will really show them you love and value them? Some gift from a store? Or a note telling them how much they mean to you? Or a donation to a charity in their name? Just think about it

Daily Gratitude: ‘Tis the season. Yes, it’s the season of holiday spirit, New Year’s resolutions, cold winter days (and nights), and new beginnings. But, it’s also the season for great depression. Sometimes it’s due to the darkness and less daylight and sometimes it’s because or another kind of darkness. What’s important is not what causes it, but that it’s there and often very well hidden. So as the countdown to the new year begins, pay close attention to your friends. Look in their eyes and listen to their words. If you know they’ve had some loss in their lives (no matter when), let them know you understand that this may be a difficult time for them and you’re there for them. Check on them frequently. Make sure they have a place to go so they aren’t alone. Write them notes. If you make donations, make them in honor of the person they lost. Include them. It’s a busy time of year but never be too busy to take care of those who aren’t as fortunate as you.

Daily Gratitude: When you’re filled with fear as i am, this is an important instruction albeit an extremely frightening one. The way to conquer anything is to confront and do something that gets you to the other side of it. I have plenty of fears such as fear of meeting people or talking on the phone (which I’ve written about before). I know (intellectually) that if I just do the thing I fear, and do it often, it will eventually no longer be frightening. Knowing that and being able to do it are two different things though. I have to force myself to delve into it. Do I really want to get over this? What’s the up side of getting through it? What’s the downside? Which is mor important to me? Why? What’s the worst that can happen? Will it really be that bad? You have to go deep because these are usually long standing fears and we are skilled in burying the bad things as deep as possible. We have to be aware of that or we’ll only clear the surface and never really figure out the meat of why we’re afraid. Then using breathing techniques and meditation will help calm our nervous systems to help ease stepping up to the fear. “Oh my. Why is it so complicated?” I’m sure you’re asking. Because of our defense systems and the length of time we’ve had these fears. The fact that it is so complicated is simply testimony to our brains ability to have these fears totally embedded deep within. If you really want to conquer the fears, you need to develop techniques like this for yourself.