New Year's Resolutions: A New Twist on an Old Classic

I have wondered for several years why New Year’s Resolutions are so popular with people.  To be honest, I thought they were mockeries that people spewed about for the satisfaction of our society, not to actually change themselves.  Over the years I have stubbornly believed this notion, and as I reflect on the couple of years I actually made New Year’s Resolutions, I notice something in common for myself and my state of mind. 

I observed  that the years that I actually decided to make a commitment, I had felt guiltier than other years, mostly like I was failing life somehow; almost as if I knew that I was doing something really, really bad to myself and I knew deep down that I absolutely had to change it.

The notion of guilt leads me to wonder why it takes so much weight on our shoulders to want to change.  I realize that the weight of the burden must outweigh the difficulty of changing, but why must it be so heavy?  Perhaps we are afraid of failure? 

Perhaps, though, we are not understanding the goodness of a New Year’s Resolution, only thinking of the idea in a way that will ensure failure, and hence, more guilt.  As a result of this thought, I have an idea:  why not make a New Year’s Resolution that is on a positive note, perhaps a foolproof resolution?

10 foolproof New Year’s Resolutions for 2011:

            For my New Year’s Resolution, I am going to…

• Treat myself to an ice-cold glass of orange juice (or other favorite juice) when I feel sluggish
• Climb into an extra hot shower or bath when the world is pulling me into the floor
• Walk down the block for some fresh air when I feel up to it
• Drive the “scenic route” for some fresh scenery when I am not late for anything
• Take some time when I get home to notice where I live without judgment or a “to-do” list
• Breathe in 3 deep breaths during my showering/bathing time to refresh my lungs
• Dig the cloves out of the spice rack and allow the scent to lighten my mood
• Hold my tongue just once, when I really don’t want to, taking note of how it affects the situation in a positive manner or just a non-negative manner
• Find one good thing about myself each week and remind myself of that strength the whole week long
• Find one good thing about each person before (or after!) I determine that I dislike them

Fun Gift Wrap

Bust Out of the Paper Gift Bags; Fun Gift Wrap Ideas

I have come up with zany “wrappers” for the gifts to avoid purchasing paper or gift bags, after I have recycled all that I have received in the past.  For example, I have rolled shirts or kids’ pants in a paper tube left over from a roll of paper towels.  Crunch up the ends and wrap in something sparkly (cellophane or painted up piece of paper or material), tie with a ribbon.  Basically, make it look like a piece of candy.  Or once I had an old coat that was beaten up badly.  I cut up the faux fur from the liner and pasted it onto a box instead of the wrapping paper.  It was a hit.  I purchase discounted ribbon from fabric stores and craft stores.  We are not talking 50% off here; we are talking the left-over, crazy stuff that no one wants for 80% off the original price.  And, my family actually gathers up my ribbons after everyone is done opening gifts for me to save for next year.  Training, people, training.  I have collected unused, wooden skewers and glued them onto gifts in different designs, some in a big 3-D star.  Don’t give this package to the kids or the drunken adults though.  The results will remind you of something similar to, “I lost my poor meeeatbaaall, when sommmebody sneeeezed…” 

Another good one is after Christmas (or other holiday) sales.  The big packages of plastic bulbs for the tree are half off, or small individual ornaments are nice too, and can decorate many a package!  After holiday sales are great places to find next year’s $5 gift or Santa gifts, too. 

I have picked up acorns from the ground and bought plastic fruit from auction sales for my packages.  Which reminds me: auction sales are great places to pick up Christmas decorations, cheap.  These decorations can be taken apart or used as is to decorate gifts.

Auction sales are also great for vintage gifts.  Estate sales have good kitchen items for the person who is moving into his or her first apartment- pots and pans.  Even cheap pots and pans are expensive, and, well, cheap!  They flake into your food and are just plain gross!  Another good gift for these people are homemade items- jellies, breads, slippers.  Auction sales also sell blankets for your pet to sleep on.  Do you think Rufus cares whether or not it is a $10 pet bed or a $2 fuzzy blanket?  Old ropes, stuffed animals, and soft pillows are also appreciated by Fido.  Some auction sales show a really different side of people… brass statues, art, and other decorative items could also be inspiring.  Remember, Home Depot sells “oops paint” for $5 per gallon for any item you may see fit, and good spray paint is $5 for a whole can.

A couple years ago I began to shop garage sales and thrift stores for small books. 

Bookstores sell them for under $10, usually.  The feel-good-inspirational-you-can-do-it/this-day-is-a-gift- type of book.  Your local thrift stores will sell them for under a dollar, usually.  If not, wait until the store has a sale on books.  I make it a rule not to pay more than $1 for a used book unless I absolutely, positively have to have it.  Don’t start writing in the books, now; instead, take this opportunity to insert a piece of parchment paper or tissue paper with a short note.  The kind of note you would write into a card…and that is precisely what I utilize the book for.  I use the feel-good book for a card.  It could be a picture book about dogs, or Hollywood cars, or a purse book.  Whatever the person is really “into”.  At the end of the note I ask them to pass the book along to someone else when they feel that they are finished with it.  Hence, I have stopped purchasing cards.  That saves anywhere from $2-$6!

The bottom line to saving yourself money is creativity.  Creativity will save you money! 

Look for inspiration, it truly does surround you.

Reduce Cold Symptoms with Tea Tree Oil

Search Amazon.com for tea tree oil

Cold symptoms can be obnoxious.  Tea Tree Oil can help to make you feel better.  Tea Tree Oil can be purchased as your local health foods store, or at Amazon.com

Tea tree oil is an antiseptic that fights bacteria, fights fungus, many viruses, inflammation, and helps the skin to repair itself.  Tea tree oil can be used for many ailments from abrasions to waxing!  Today we will cover how tea tree oil can help to alleviate congestion, coughs, a head cold, ear aches, muscle aches, and a sore throat.  Did you know that tea tree oil even boosts the immune system?  Read on to learn more!

Congestion can be battled in three ways:  

·         Dampen a cloth with warm water and a few drops of oil.  Apply to chest  

·         Draw a bath and add a few drops to the water to soak

·      Massage chest with oil mixed with a few drops

Coughs can be alleviated by:

·        Add drops of tea tree oil to 4-6 cups warm water, drape towel over head for ten minutes, leaning over cup of mixture, inhaling gently

·        Add oil to vaporizer or humidifier

Head Cold will lose power when you:

·        Follow cough suggestions

·        Rub drop of oil on nose and forehead

Earaches can be improved if:

·        To 1/4 cup of warm olive oil, add a few drops of oil. Tilting the head to one side for 60 seconds put a small amount carefully into the ear.  Absorb oil with a small cotton ball, repeating until it feels better.

 Say good-bye to Muscle Aches:

·      Massage area with olive oil mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil

·         Draw a bath and add a few drops to the water to soak

Reduce a Sore Throat:        Do Not Swallow

·        Gargle warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil 2-3 times per day.         

·        Add oil to vaporizer or humidifier

Give your Immune System a kick!

·        Add tea tree oil to 1 ounce of olive oil; massage into skin weekly