You Will Never See Me Fall [Poem of the Week]

You may see me struggle,

but you won't see me fall.

Regardless if I'm weak or not,

I'm going to stand tall.

Image from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=552745&picture=vitality

 

Everyone says life is easy,

but truly living it is not.

Times get hard,

people struggle

and constantly get put on the spot.

I'm going to wear the biggest smile,

even though I want to cry.

I'm going to fight to live,

even though I'm destined to die.

And even though it's hard

and I may struggle through it all,

you may see me struggle...

but you will NEVER see me fall.

~ by Joyce Alcantara
https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/you-will-never-see-me-fall

How to Be Imperfect: 7 Lessons for Embracing Imperfectionism

Greetings all!

I was recently reviewing my email subscriptions and came across an email from Dr. Laurie Santos, who teaches a popular Yale course “The Science of Well-Being.”

The email summarized The Happiness Lab podcast episode with author Oliver Burkeman, and I loved the practical advice on how to embrace being imperfect (my favorite tips were #3 and 5!).

Image from: https://x.com/ginnyhogan_/status/1874146271122063618

Tip #1: You just gotta do things. Don’t get stuck in that perfectionist fantasy planning phase. Just dive in and get going. 

Tip #2: Fight back against productivity debt. You don’t need to justify your existence by getting through some huge to-do list. 

Tip #3: Remember that there’s a cost to information overload. Resist the urge to stockpile all the knowledge possible. 

Tip #4: Reject the urge to “whole-ass” stuff. Shoot for 80% and remember the benefits of what Oliver calls scruffy hospitality. 

Tip #5: Let the future be the future. There are lots of bridges we’ll cross when we get there. 

Tip #6: Follow the reverse golden rule. A little self-compassion goes a long way. 

Tip #7: Don’t bring a perfectionist attitude towards imperfectionism. Remember that baby steps are often the way to go. 

Have a great week and remember it is OK to be imperfect!

Sources and additional information: 

• https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being 
• https://apple.co/40jews0 (full podcast)
• Oliver Burkeman “Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations" (see my post on his book HERE)

In 2025, Don't Aim at Success...

 

Image from https://pxhere.com/es/photo/1454995

“Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. 

Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-run—in the long-run, I say!—success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think about it”

~Victor E. Frankl

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/34673-don-t-aim-at-success-the-more-you-aim-at-it

Unique Workplace Christmas Trees

Umbrella Christmas Tree

Supermarket Christmas Tree

Pointe Shoes Christmas Tree

Glass Christmas Tree

12-Foot Bell Pepper Christmas Tree

Farmer Christmas Tree

Library Christmas Tree 

Bananas Christmas Tree

Source (and more!): https://pleated-jeans.com/2024/11/28/creative-employee-tree-decorations/

Christmas Punch

Greetings all!

Here is an easy, refreshing party-perfect Christmas Punch to please a crowd! 

Image and recipe from 

https://www.wellplated.com/christmas-punch/#wprm-recipe-container-33152 

Ingredients:

• 1 large bag of ice
• 5 cups 100% cranberry juice (40 ounces, NOT cranberry juice cocktail)
• 2 750-ml bottles very dry sparkling wine (champagne, cava, or Prosecco)
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 ½ cups diet ginger ale (12 ounces, from 1 can or poured from a liter bottle)
• 1 ½ cups dark rum or brandy (12 ounces)
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced into rounds
• 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

• Chill all of the ingredients.
• Fill a large punch bowl with ice.
• Top with the cranberry juice, sparkling wine, apple cider, ginger ale, and rum.
• Stir gently to combine.
• Top with the orange slices and fresh cranberries.

Non-Alcoholic Version:

• Omit the alcohol and use sparkling white grape juice or lemon-lime soda instead of wine. Prepare as directed.

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

Holiday Fairy Tale Christmas Towns

Source (and more): https://worldwildschooling.com/christmas-towns

CALM: December-2024 Calendar

Greetings all!

Here are some ideas from the CALM December-2024 calendar to celebrate the present moment, as well as new beginnings, and acknowledge the gifts in your life (from https://blog.calm.com/blog/calm-calendars).

My favorite ideas were from December 6, 15, 16, 19, and 22. What about you?

December 1 – Do something to celebrate a small or big win.

December 2 – Try the “Let’s Celebrate” Daily Move today.

December 3 – Infuse some playfulness into your day: sing, dance, smile, create, explore!

Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/156711262022076848/

December 4 – Praise yourself for something you’ve achieved this year.

December 5 – Give someone (or yourself) a warm hug.

December 6 – Write a list of the things that make you happy.

December 7 – What gifts has mindfulness brought into your life? Celebrate your growth.

December 8 – Try a meditation from the “Quick & Easy” section.

December 9 – Fill in the blank: I am proud of myself for___.

December 10 – Reach out to a loved one and share why you value the relationship.

December 11 – Celebrate the ways you’ve shown up for your mental health this week, month, or year.

December 12 – What (non-material) gift can you give yourself and others today?

December 13 – Let the day go with the “Deep Sleep Release” meditation tonight.

December 14 – Spend some time outside today. Enjoy any feelings of connection or peace.

December 15 – Reflect on the people who helped you get here.

December 16 – Do something today just because it makes you happy.

December 17 – Consider the gifts of the present moment with the “Celebrate the Now” Daily Jay.

December 18 – Take 5 mins to list the things that make you feel warm and fuzzy.

December 19 – Give yourself the gift of sleep by taking a short nap.

December 20 – Play an uplifting Calm playlist as you cook, clean or work today.

December 21 – Gift your body some mindful movement. Walk, run, dance, stretch, whatever feels good.

December 22 – Give yourself permission to do less today.

December 23 – May you feel the gifts in your life.

December 24 – Take 3 deep breaths. Enjoy the present moment.

December 25 – There’s no right or wrong way to feel at this time of year. Embrace it all.

December 26 – Appreciate the past year with the “In Honor of a Year” Daily Calm.

December 27 – List the gifts you’ve received from others that aren’t objects. Celebrate them!

December 28 – Get cozy with a blanket or warm drink. Notice the temperature and sensations.

December 29 – Breathe in love. Breathe out ease. Repeat 5 times.

December 30 – Organize a get-together with close friends. Celebrate new beginnings.

December 31 – Reflect on the past year. Celebrate your growth, efforts, and the gifts it brought.

Have a great week and remember to breathe in love and breathe out ease!