What We Learn From Baby New Year

Less than 48 hours away until the new year.

I know, that isn't exactly a news flash for anyone, but I just thought I would warn ya just in case you've lost track of time.

See my smiling friend to the left, that's Baby New Year for those who remember (or are lucky enough to share the movie with your own children)

When I came across his picture, something in me forced me to look into his eyes and see what he was thinking about. Who is he, and what does he have to teach us?

I don't know what he would say (he didn't talk much in the movie), but here is just a quick list of what came to mind while looking at him.

Arms Wide Open: Be accepting to things, people, places, adventures, gifts (that's a personal one for me). Things are going to come your way which you may not feel you are ready for, but accept them, embrace them, and take it all it to get moving.

Big Ears: Listen for opportunities which may have just been a whisper or just something you heard in passing.

It's been said before, you have 2 ears and 1 mouth, listen twice as much as you speak... there might be some deep philosophical truth to that.

Eyes Wide Open: See things with new eyes, wide eyes (not necessarily blue eyes, though I am biased for them).

Look at things from different perspectives, various points of view, new angles, new frames of mind. See things as they are, not as they were. See things as they could be, not as they are.

Big Head: There is plenty of room in there for so many ideas, so many new experiences, more knowledge than you have any idea about. Be open minded more this year than before. Over time, we learn that what we thought was right, the best way or whatever, time will prove that there is always something better and different.

Be Naked: Ok, not necessarily literally. Let the real you shine. Put yourself out there, let the world see who you are, what you have to offer. Learn from what others may say. Accept complements and learn from criticisms (constructive ones that seem to mean something, just just mean ones that say something).

Round Cheeks: Nope, has nothing to do with the previous Be Naked. (you should be spanked for thinking that). Start the year off smiling, BIG! I know it's tough these days. (Sensing clichés coming). There are better days ahead, the best is yet to come, this is the year, now is the time, I'm gonna _______________ this year.

I'm not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions, but they are better than having nothing to look ahead to at all. So go ahead, fill in the blank (add more, please) for what you would like to accomplish,acquire, build upon or gain this year.

The Hair: Umm! I got nuttin. But I am more than open to your ideas, my ears are big so I will listen, my eyes are wide open, so I'll see what you come up with, I'm smiling thinking about the possibilities which will be mentioned, and naked.. hmmmm yeah. sure. :-)

Happy New Year!
Feliz Navidad!

---David

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
David Stoddard
Laugh a bit and get out of your own way at www.getouttayourway.com
Balance your business-life and your life-life with us at http://www.biz-e-life.com/
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What's In YOUR Stocking?

I bet you already know where this post is going. And if you're like most people, you would say down the screen. You'd be right.

But then that would be soooooo off topic.

Yes, I was a kid.

Years and years ago, I would wake up on Christmas morning (or maybe even sneak out in the middle of the night, shhhh, don't tell anyone), and look at the packages under the tree. They were of decent sizes. I was eager to open them all. (even the ones with clothes, as it turn out, were fun to open).

Though I knew we had hung stockings from the counter ledge, (didn't have a fireplace), I wasn't concerned about them at all. What could possibly be in them to warrent my time. I had to get in there and open those new electronic games or Atari cartridges. None of which would fit in a stocking (or so I thought until I looked one year).

Coming to understand.

As I've gotten older, the wrapped packages don't mean as much for one reason or other, but the stuff in the stockings means more.

Ok, maybe not so much the traditional candy cane, (though tradition has it's place), but the cards and trinkets and toy car which reminds me of that Spider HotWheel I had. (black spider painted on the hood of a dark blue car), but I digress.

The Reality of today.

In these tough economic times, it's going to be the little things which make this holiday season special. Sure, a new car, PSP, winning lottery ticket, (which yes, those would fit in a stocking), would be nice, but it's not always possible. And that's ok.

Angie, a.k.a. One Motivational Mama, wrote today about her struggles this year and how she's not able to buy nearly as much as she would for family and friends. And it's happening all over.

It's going to be family, friends, food and finding what this season is all about, that will mean the most. Not some noisy "Rock Band" gift or river boat purchase.

So yes, I admit this post went off topic a bit, but still, it does come down to the little things.

So I ask again, What's in YOUR stocking?

• What are you greatful for this holiday season?
• What small tokens off appreciation can you give others?
• What do you need for yourself to be happier feel appreciated?
• What can you create to put in your own stocking that will help you get outta your way?

~ David ~

.~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~
David Stoddard
Laugh a bit and get out of your own way at Get Outta Your Way dot com.
Balance your business-life and your life-life with us at biz e life dot com.
.~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~ .~.

10 Ways to Be A Rock Star This Holiday Season

This post is a bit of an experiment or exercise in finding the good in this time of year for me (and maybe 1 or 2 others out there). Earlier today, I made a post on Twitter which I meant, but still wondered more about.

I thought how could a former alter boy from some 29 years ago feel so cynical? Well, easy actually. But the tougher (and more worthy) answer would be how do I combat that.

So in the process of listining to the BeeGees and sipping some slightly more alcoholic beverage than I care to admit to, I came up with a list of 10 ways to be a rock star this holiday (and yes, I will say Christmas in the course of this post), season.

Quick note before it gets started, the orininal opening mentioned Guitar Hero (which I have become slightly addicted to since the GF and I bought it earlier this year). I even had a link to it at Amazon for those who would be interested in it. After reading what was in my mind in this list, too it out. If you want it, please (and I mean this as nicely as possible), search for it yourself without my affiliate link.

So, here is my list... PLEASE feel free to add to it.

10. Donate to the Red Kettles the Salvation Army operates. Last year at this time, my girlfriend and I stopped off at a Wal-Mart or someplace where the bell ringer was located. I gave him a $2 bill (not many folks know what those are), as we walked in. About 4 minutes later as we were leaving with our purchases, (that's a record), the bell ringer was gone. I started thinking, "if only I had waited until we were leaving to give the donation..."

They don't ask for much. If you have the ability to go in to a shopping establishment, think about all of those who don't. They'll even take those pennies you've been saving to pay your traffic tickets with and won't put out a warrant for your arrest.

9. Bring cookies, cupcakes, pre-made dinners to your local firehouse or police station. It's a great way of saying thank you. (trust me, they'll eat it and be very appreciative). Plus you might even get these tough guys to shed a tear or 2. They don't get the recognition they deserve.

8. Donate your time at a food pantry or shelter. It's an opportunity to see how the "other half" lives. It gives you a first hand view of how life can be so different in one's own community. Be greatful for what you have, where you are, where you came from, and more so, what you can to do help others.

7. Rember those to deliver for you. It could be Carl your letter carrier, Tori the UPS driver, Antonia from FedEx or whoever. If they make more than a single trip to your place or work hole in the wall, think of them with something. Lottery tickets is a maybe, but make sure they have a shot to winning something. And food and gift cards are always appreciated.

6. Toys for Tots. Search our your area and give them something. The Marines run a great program. Or click the link. Christmas (and yes, I said the "C" word) is for the kids. See #2 if you don't get it.

5. Watch a movie (with an open mind). "Miracal on 34th St. (with Natalie Wood,)," "A Wonderful Life," "The Muppet Christmas Carrol (not so much). These are all wonderful films. and yes, they have been around for a while. But this time, watch them as if never before. Imagine yourself in them, not just watching a movie. How would you feel being Susan or George Bailey?

4. Use your special talents for the enjoyment for others. if you can write, write. If you can draw, draw. If you can take great pictures, do that for those who appreciate them. It's one thing if you do them for your job, hobby or career, but it's entirely another if you do them as a gift or fund raiser for others.

Yes, I know it's a tad late for this year, but it doesn't need to just be for now. How can you use your talents other times of the year? For other occasions? for others in need?

3. Take those who may not be able to get out to lighting displays. Rent, borrow, creatively gain use of, (don't steal it, dummy), a bus or larger vehicle where several people can take part in at the same time. Find a senior center or some other place where folks don't get the chance to get out, and them them on a tour. Or maybe you can take the tour and video record your adventure and make a mini movie of it? (check the rules and copyright). SHARE!!!!!!!!!!

2. Volunteer. Hospitals, daycare centers, senior centers, it doesn't matter. Get out there, share of yourself. (Hint, it's free). And... People love that more than some gift they may or may not care for. Get out there, give of yourself. Learn to love this time of year (despite all of the corporate crap that comes with it). Yes, it's more than just a gift of ties or socks.

1. Forget about physical things. Personally, I always wonder about the other 364.25 days a year we live through. What are those for if all we have to give others is gifts on this single day? It's as if they don't matter. I can buy the fact that this has become a "special day," (despite not living up to the day and event it is named for). yes, it sucks to get nothing at all, to be forgotton or just plain ignored on this day (time of year). But it shouldn't take December 25th (or dates surrounding it) to remind us to give a damn about others.

Lemme know what you think. Add to the list PLEASE!!!!!! I know this list could be hundreds long. It's just 9:11 at night here and I am just tossing this out there.

Share your thoughts, ideas, what would make this even better.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

David Stoddard
Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/djstoddard
Laugh a bit and get out of your own way at www.djstoddard.com
Balance your business-life and your life-life with us at www.biz-e-life.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~