Tag Archives: tradition

5 Ways to Teach Kids to Combat Commercialism

Tis the Season . . .
And the decorations and songs in the stores are here to prove it.

At this time of year I always feel a battle between doing what the world wants me to do (buy more) and what God wants of me (love more). The tug of war is real and we need to take steps to counteract commercialism.

It’s time to take back Christmas. Here’s the thing. . . YOU get to decide what kind of holiday season you want. When it will start, end and everything in between. So, let’s be intentional and do what’s most important.

If you have thought “Christmas has become like a circus” or “The Holidays suck the life force out of me,” there’s hope for a better holiday.

5 Ways to Combat Commercialism
1. Ask your kids, “What do you remember about last Christmas?” What traditions did you like to do? What gifts do you remember getting? You will probably be surprised by the answers. Do what’s most important and let go of the activities that don’t fit into your top priorities. Let’s simplify.

2. Let’s focus on celebrating the real reason for the season which is the birth of Jesus and sharing the light and love of God with others. During Advent focus on spiritual activities like prayer and good works. How about singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus this year?

3. Set a limit on time, money and number of gifts to give this year. Long ago our family decided to give no more than 3 gifts for each person. We figured if it was good enough for Jesus to get 3 gifts, it was good enough for us.

4. Model for your family the values you hold dear. Your kids will do what they see you do.

5. Host a ‘Family Love Night’ with the Christmas Love Box Tradition.
Just imagine, you’re sitting in your living room with your loved ones, surrounded by candles, chocolate and Love. With each note read aloud, the magic of love is released and binds you all closer together.

The night is a precious and magical time together as each person feels valued, appreciated and loved. The force of love binds you closer together.

Then after the holidays are over, you have love notes in your loved ones handwriting to relive those happy times. You’ll have notes from when the kids were 5, 10 or 15. The kids have notes of love from their parents, aunts, uncles and Grandparents. Forever. You can read and re-read those love notes all year round.

Oh, it can be different alright. Rather than giving stuff you can give and get the gift of love.

It’s so, so much better. I promise.

There’s a battle going on between commercialism and spirituality. So, let’s lace up those combat boots and start walking. Singing Christmas carols all the way. Ready? Set. Let’s go.

The CLB Challenge

What is the CLB Challenge?

The CLB challenge is that you will share the gift of love, by writing love notes to your family and friends this holiday season. You’re committed to building a foundation of love in your family with the Christmas Love Box tradition.

We are committed to creating a new world of love.

A long, long time ago people thought the the more presents you gave at Christmas showed others how much you loved them. The holidays got over commercialized and ‘sucked the life force’ out of many people.

NOT ANYMORE

We are inspired.

The Spirit of Love is Powerful.

We will give the gift of love,
One note at a time.

May the ‘Love Force’ be with you.

Will you join the CLB challenge?

Want a ‘Regret-free’ life? Then Express Your Love

Did you know that expressing your love is vital to living a joyful, regret-free life? Well, it most certainly is.

In the book ‘The 5 Regrets of the Dying’ by Bronnie Ware we learn that the third biggest regret that people have in their life is, “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”

People suppress their feelings for a number of reasons from being shy to trying to keep peace with others. When we don’t express our feelings we settle for surface relationships at best.

Mrs. Ware said, “Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.”

Be a ‘love agent’, express your love and connect with others in a deeper way. You’ll feel happier, whole and healthy. The next time you’re feeling low, rather than becoming isolated, call a friend or reach out to someone else with kindness.

There’s bonding power that is released when we express our love. Expressions of love for people, places and others provides us all with an authenticity and fullness of love.

So, come on, try it. Gather up your courage and tell another how and why you love them. Express those loving feelings. I think you’re going to love it! You won’t regret it.

The Christmas Love Box tradition helps people express their true feelings and live a regret-free life. To learn how you can express your love MORE watch:

5 Healing Powers of Love

Have you ever felt the healing power of love?

Love heals in many ways; our body, mind and spirit can be healed with the power of Love. Here are some fascinating ways that love heals:

1. Love decreases stress. Did you know that love counteracts the fight or flight response? Yes, it does and mighty effectively. Love regulates the production of cortisol (stress hormone) and elevates the production of Oxytocin, (happy hormone), which can reduce cardiovascular stress and improve the immune system.

2. Love causes the production of norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain, which leads to increased feelings of joy and pleasure.

Love Heals our Body, Mind & Spirit

3. Love has been proven to reduce inflammation, improves your immune system, and can be a potent pain reliever. A recent study from the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State Univ. shows us that people who are lonely develop more reactivation of latent viruses than those that are well connected.

4. Love decreases anxiety and can keep depression at bay. It also reduces the signs and symptoms of heart disease.

5. When you tell another person how much you love them, why and how they are a special gift, you’ll feel ‘love energy’ passing between you both.

Love truly is great medicine. Love is a powerful healer in all its’ many forms.

When someone says, “I’m so in love” they are often referring to romantic love, but there is so much more to it than that. I want to encourage you to think of love in a broader way. We can grow in love with God, with our children and grandchildren. We can grow more in love with our friends, animals, our self and even grow in love with life itself.

When we are united in the Spirit of God’s love and in the service to others we feel an overflowing love. We heal ourself and others when we share the overflowing Spirit of love.

So ‘love large’, connect with others and you’ll feel more happy, whole and healthy. The next time you’re feeling low, rather than becoming isolated, call a friend or reach out to someone else with kindness.

Don’t underestimate the power of love. Acts of love for people, places and others provide healing health benefits.

Try it, I think you’re going to not just like it, you’ll love it!

Question for you: How will you share the healing power of love?

Spirit of Love is Always Here

Deep within each of us is a desire to love and to be loved. So, how are you expressing your love?

Love can be expressed in a myriad of ways and when we share it, others feel more fulfilled. Think for a moment about these expressions of love; seeing the smile of a baby, feeling the caress of a loved one, sitting with a friend who listens attentively with her ears, eyes and heart, or sharing a meal with friends who truly understand us.

One of the most precious ways I feel love over and over again is by reading small handwritten notes that contain the love of each of my family members. For the past 15 years family and friends have written notes back and forth at Christmas time and I have every single one of them tucked away in special places. Some are in my forever ‘Christmas Love Box’, some are tucked away in my top drawer of a desk and other treasured keepsakes sit amongst my most valuable gems in a jewelry box.

Do you know what is awesome about these Love Notes? I can pull them out at any time and read heartfelt messages written by my husband, children, Mom, Dad, sister, and friends. I so enjoy finding the notes and reading them over and over again. Each time I read a note it transports me to another time and place and let’s me relive the spirit of love. The spirit of love is always here as close as a memory and a love note.

Share the love!

Some days I get overcome with emotion. Today is one of those days. I’m reflecting on the outpouring of people LOVING each other. You see, as the creator of the Christmas love box I get to see, hear and feel love every day. In a big way.

During the past few days I have seen many people generously sharing their time and money to support children in a shelter and military families. Strangers helping strangers out of the goodness of their hearts.

I had no idea when I begin this journey that hearts would open like the ocean & we would fall more in love with our brothers and sisters every day.

There has also been a dark side. The bitterness of separation, brokenness, & pain in families.

As we know, love is bittersweet.

From my seat, I see a lot more sweet. And I thank God that love always ultimately wins.

Share more love!

Christmas Love Box