Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s hoping that you and your family enjoy this special holiday of love and gratitude.

I’m thankful for all the blessings that have been and continue to be bestowed upon me. And today, I’m especially thankful for Daddy’s improved health and I’m hoping he gives us something else to be thankful for by getting released from the hospital today. We’ll see. Good luck, Daddy!

Speaking of parents:

It’s funny the memories that come to my mind along with the aroma of all the ‘usual’ things we eat. The cinnamon and other spices that punctuate my senses also transports Mama straight from Heaven and into my kitchen where her hand is on mine as I stir the gravy, and her cheek right next to mine as I bend to lavishly inhale the Sweet Potato Pie.

Of course, additional family memories crop up throughout the day as we continue to make more memories, but at least for a while, before Michael and I sit down for a quiet midday snack and before company comes, there’s that special moment that’s just Mama and me. And I’m thankful for the memories she continues to give me, even after she’s moved on.

May this Thanksgiving and each day forward be a blessing to you and yours!

Continued Bliss!

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What special memories do holiday aromas bring to you? 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

In addition to the obviously apparent things that I am thankful for, like my lovely family, my wonderful friends, my health, and of course, the birth of my new book; I am TRULY THANKFUL for the talent the Creator gave me that leads me to inspire and help others embrace life’s challenges, thus elevating their spirits and mine. 

Include Our Veterans in Your Holiday Celebrations

Since the holiday season officially kicks off on November 25th of this month, and Veteran’s Day is Friday, November 11th, why not combine them and plan a holiday tribute to all the brave people who have kept and continue to keep our great country safe. A businessman from Maine, Morrill Worcester and his family did just that in 1992 when they turned their gesture of allegiance into an annual holiday event that now includes all of America. With the support of volunteers, this event embodies elements of loyalty, honor, celebration, gratitude, and education. Check out their inspirational beginnings  and consider helping out in your area .

Holiday Bliss the Debt-Free Way

It's the first week of November and like most of you, all of us here at Image Design are gearing up for the holidays. In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing some of our tips and tricks for getting to and through the holiday season blissfully relaxed and stress-free, beginning with these tips for Holiday Bliss the Debt-Free Way.

Did you know that holiday spending is back to pre-recession levels? In the past few years, Americans spent more than $500 billion dollars over the holiday season; and about 23% of that was paid for with credit cards (money not yet earned). So what happens then? They go into the New Year owing considerably more than the year before; all in the name of the holidays.

Great holidays are not synonymous with over-spending. Let the following tips lead you to holiday fun without compromising your wallet and without entering the New Year wracked in debt:

1. Decide now on what you want to do regarding everything that's holiday-related; from shopping to decorating; from gift-giving to entertaining. A little planning now will save you a lot of impulsive spending later.

2. For workplace celebrations, determine ahead of time what your contribution will be. Then, if suggested contributions are more than you had budgeted, let the planners know ahead of time. Offer to contribute in another way that will keep you involved while staying within your personal plans. For example, you could offer to bake a holiday cake or donate a seasonal flower arrangement to add to the decorations.

3. Do not window shop. Instead, shop with a plan. Make a list of what you want to purchase, go to the stores that you think have what you want, then go only to the necessary departments of those stores. This may take a little work and a lot of discipline, but keep your goal in mind and you'll be ok. You'll save time and money this way, and just think of how proud of yourself you'll be in the end.


4. Make holiday entertaining both fun and therapeutic for your family and friends. Invite them to a casual pizza party where they can unwind from all the hectic goings-on. For added fun, everyone can bring a pizza topping, drinks, etc to share and you all can build your pizzas together or better yet, make it a competitive team event with little stocking stuffers of homemade treats as prizes. Put on a seasonal CD and enjoy the kitchen clatter, holiday chatter, and the enveloping aroma of fresh oven-baked pizza.

Create lasting memories by giving more from your heart. Follow these tips and when the decorations come down, your spirits will still be up. You'll be mentally healthy and happy; not debt-ridden and depressed.

Remember, Holiday Bliss is not about spending a lot of money, but spending quality time with the people you care about.

National Boss's Day 2011

Is Boss’s Day for Bosses Only?

Monday, October 17^th is National Boss’s Day, a day that’s recognized as a time to shower employers with flowers, gifts, parties and awards to show how much they are appreciated.  But is Boss’s Day for Bosses only?

Not entirely.

Boss’s Day also promotes relationships between the head of the workplace, aka the boss, and the people under their employ. It’s a time when the people from multi-level positions celebrate together to display a unified workforce. You see, this way, employees benefit too.

But it’s called “Boss’s” Day” because the workplace is a reflection of the boss, their performance and their achievements. Boss’s Day acknowledges the “great” boss and inspires the average one to become great.

A great boss:

• Provides direction and focus to create a mutual sense of purpose
• Values their people as individuals
• Fosters solid relationships by earning respect and building trust
• Constantly provide their employees with opportunities to learn and grow

So to Employees I say: Celebrate Boss’s Day to honor the person you work for and the environment they’ve created for you.

To the Boss I say: After all the excitement dies down and you’re posed with the question - What’d you get for Boss’s Day? -  before you answer, think of your staff and ask yourself:

"Other than the fact that I’m the boss, did I actually earn a celebration for Boss’s Day?"

If you honestly feel the answer is YES, then Good For You! If you answered NO, don’t fret; it’s not too late. Just make today the day you turn it around and become the kind of boss you’d like to be; the kind of boss you’d like to have; the kind who doesn’t just know what it takes, but actually does what it takes to earn the title of a Great Boss. 

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What're you doing for Boss's Day? 

Explore Several Techniques to Maintain Inner Balance

There is no one method to maintain balance in life so it’s wise to use whatever works to maintain yours. 

There are definite practices that afford me the positive feelings that come from being centered and balanced; like meditation, sacred walks, journaling, etc. For the most part, those daily practices work. But then there’re those days when I find I need an extra dose of “letting go” of thoughts and feelings that threaten to rattle my spirit to the core.

In my new book, “Creating B.L.I.S.S. – Better Living In Seven Steps”  , I have outlined various ways to get to that wonderful state of balance and the benefits that come from knowing when to use them; techniques that include prayer, meditation, yoga, walking, breathing, playing, and many others as they all tend to place the spirit in harmony.

What really works is whatever works for you. Explore different methods but know that it’s not necessary to do them all. Only when you understand how you benefit from each, will you know what to do to benefit yourself the most.

For example, an early morning walk can be an energizing start to a great day. And if your day later takes a hectic turn, try meditation to stay focused on the actions needed to get you through the remainder of your day. And if meditation’s not possible at the time, focus on your breathing; that always works. You’re breathing anyway, why not be mindful of it and expel all stress with each exhale. Get the idea?

Know which techniques work best when your spirit needs them the most. And remember; don’t wear yourself out trying every technique you’ve ever heard of. Simply do what’s necessary to boost your spirit when the need arises and you will lessen all threats of imbalance. 


~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

How do you maintain balance in your life? 

Who Are You?

Have you ever asked yourself this very basic question? If you have, did you listen to your answer? Notice I said your answer and not the answer. What comes to mind may not be your true answer; not what's really inside of you. It may come from you and it may come from others who know you; or think they know you. Worse yet, it may come from those who knew you in the past, even though you're not that person now.

So who are you? Did you think of an answer yet? Were they your thoughts or someone else's? We get so caught up in what's going on outside of ourselves...family, work, duties, obligations...yadda, yadda, yadda...that we tend to bury our true selves.

Sound familiar? Recognize yourself yet? Don't feel bad if you do. This has been the case for all of us at some point in our lives. But it doesn't have to continue that way for the rest of our lives. So what do you do? You silence the outside noise and calm yourself to:

• Get to know yourself
• Distinguish between your own ideas and those influenced by others

Then, just as you love, trust and believe in a close friend, you will learn to love, trust and believe in your inner voice...your true self.

~-This post is an Excerpt from my soon-to-be released book 
“Creating B.L.I.S.S. ~ Better Living in Seven Steps”

For a sneak peek, read a sample chapter from the book HERE