Here are six ways to embrace a balanced approach to spending during the holidays.

Thanksgiving is here already. How can this be? It feels like just a few days ago we were enjoying the warm sun of spring and summer!

Our need for appreciation is closely related to our inner desire to be seen, heard, and known. To be appreciated by others is to have what we do from our hearts acknowledged. To recognize our appreciation for others is to open ourselves up to seeing how others contribute to our lives.

The problem is, when happiness is our destination, we can very easily – and most of us DO – continually move the goalposts: We keep adding to our list of I’ll-be-happy-whens and concentrate more often on our many reasons why, “I can’t be happy because . . .”

Yesterday was Book Club Sunday for us - and it truly was a beautiful day! As we waited for our book club participants to arrive, we had our office door open to the lovely view outside. The trees are all changing color, the grass is still green at Sherwood Park across the street, and there were so many families, couples, and friends out enjoying the day.

Luckily all my worries came to a screeching halt when my phone rang this morning. Here was our beloved hygienist, calling US to express HER gratitude and appreciation for our years together. We had a lovely conversation, and it was very satisfying to be able to share together, exchange contact information, and make plans to meet again away from the dental office.

Yesterday, after Sundays with Annette and Ada (which was wonderful!), we made a quick stop at the grocery store to buy Valentine flowers for Don before heading off to our next adventure. As we were checking out, our cashier just happened to mention that her previous customer had purchased real, official gluten free, dairy free Oreo cookies.

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Please be safe, enjoy your family and friends, and know we are thinking of you!

Today, we’d like to simply share our gratitude for each and every one of you. If you could see the concern, generosity, thoughtfulness, appreciation we receive from all of you, you would never doubt that this world of ours is filled with love in all its various forms.

During our time away, we encourage you to focus on GRATITUDE! The last two paragraphs of Lesson 195 will help.

One thought that has been on our minds lately is the importance of coming together with others in a spirit of acceptance for those with whom we are joining and ourselves.