In Memory

Debbie Phillips

“Here are 10 ideas to make the busy month ahead a little less stressful and a lot more fun and rewarding:

1) Schedule now a relaxing, healing treatment for yourself.  Time for a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, etc. will be welcome relief during the holiday hubbub.

2) As with the amaryllis, find something to keep close by that is growing or glowing as a daily reminder of beauty and simplicity.

3) Read Elaine St. James’s inspiring little book — Simplify Your Christmas: 100 Ways To Reduce the Stress and Recapture the Joys of the Holidays. Amazon Link.(Even if you’re not celebrating Christmas, the author offers helpful ideas to make this time of the year easier.)

4) …someone in your life you’ve been missing and thinking about? Maybe you had a falling out.  Or life got too busy to really connect. Reach out. It will delight both of you.

5) Schedule a “girls’ lunch” or “girls’ night out” with friends you love being with and feel rejuvenated by when you’re with them.

6) Find a new holiday song to enjoy!

7) Consider going on a “communications diet” for at least several days.  From December 21-January 1, I take a break from email and all social media including Facebook to give myself a rest from constant communication. You’re welcome to join me.

8) Take stock of all your major activities and events in 2012.  Share with a friend or make it a family activity. Discuss what you accomplished and are proudest of; and what you didn’t get to do in 2012 that you want to make happen in 2013.

9) Schedule now some “sacred” times during December for peace and quiet — and spend it doing whatever will make you happy and fill your heart and soul.

10) Add something new to a favorite holiday tradition.  This year I’m going to make Gabrielle Hamilton’s milk punch with sesame cookies instead of egg nog and thumbprint cookies.”

 

Debbie Phillips

pioneer in life coaching, author, speaker, film producer and founder of Women on Fire

Jamie Wasserman

"It used to be the proverbial question: ‘It’s 10 o’clock, do you know where your children are?’…Now your kid can be sitting a few feet away from you in the living room with a laptop, being damaged…Our kids are being socialized…at warp speed. They’re never off social duty."

Jamie Wasserman

child therapist practicing in Manhattan as told to Lee Siegel “Newsweek”

Martha Gellhorn

"Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It's great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing out, but I'm not complaining...Those who find growing old terrible are people who haven't done what they wanted with their lives."

Martha Gellhorn

author, travel writer, journalist who had no intention of

being a “footnote in someone else’s life”

Angela Baker

    

"It's harder to be home. There's more stuff going on.  At least when you're overseers you have structure… At home it's complete chaos all the time… Something like [Shining Service military makeover]  is truly amazing, that someone can recognize that."

Angela Baker

fulltime mom, staff sergeant in the National Guard and married to a service member

Shining Service Worldwide™ supports women in the military community       

Eve Ensler

"When we give in the world what we want the most,   we heal the broken part inside each of us."

Eve Ensler

playwright, author, activist

V-Day 2.14.13 One Billion Rising

Marion Woodman

"When I say the feminine, I don't mean gender.  I mean the feminine principle that is living —or suppressed—in both men and women.  The feminine principle attempts to relate.  Instead of breaking things off into parts, it says,  Where are we alike? How can we connect?  Where is the love? Can you listen to me?  Can you really hear what I am saying?  Can you see me? Do you care whether  you see me or not?"

Marion Woodman

pioneering Jungian analyst