Unfortunately too much emphasis is put on the notion of “buying stuff” for people for any holiday you’re celebrating.  In my case it’s Christmas.  As I mentioned earlier, retailers were advertising and planting seeds in our minds back in October (maybe earlier) to get ready and spend, spend, spend this season.  Obviously the holidays are a time for sharing and giving, but take a moment to think about if you’re sharing and giving from your heart or from your head.  Meaning, is why you’re giving to someone because you really appreciate that person in your life and you want to give something to thank them for being a part of your life, to re-confirm to them that they’re special to you or because you just want to?  I think it’s really important that we all give from our hearts and not because it’s “expected” or “the right thing to do.”  Somehow giving just doesn’t have the same meaning when you’re doing it out of obligation or guilt.

To Give In The TRUE Spirit is to give because you want to share happiness & joy with others.  During this time of year, consider giving your time to a charitable organization.  The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, like many other foodbanks in your area, are looking not only for food and cash donations but also for volunteers to help sort the donated food and distribute to those in need.  Also look into your local Meals on Wheels programs, which deliver meals to the elderly and disabled, to inquire what they need help with.  On that note, there are probably many types of organizations which serve those less fortunate and are worth checking out anytime of the year. 

Together, by giving a little of ourselves, we can all gain a lot.

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Although, it would seem with today’s economy in recession, we would be cutting back on our wine (or alcohol) purchases, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.  Total wine sales in the United States rose 3.5 percent for the 52-week period ending Oct. 17, 2009 according to data from The Nielsen Company. The increase was more modest for the four-week period ending Oct. 17, with an overall gain of 2.3 percent.  In addition, at the onset of our recession last year wine sales in the $12 to $15 range rose faster than low-end sales (below $6).

Speaking of purchasing wine, a good tip for any wine drinker is to consider buying a case of wine at one time.  Next time you’re visiting your favorite vineyard or wine shop, pick up at least 12 bottles of your faves (multiple bottles of the same varietal included), because most wine sellers will discount your purchase 10-20% for buying in bulk.  Pick up a few bottles which need to age several more months and then in the next year uncork your vino and toast the day! 

Another idea is to become a member of a wine club.  Many vineyards offer a wine club in which you’ll receive anywhere from 1-2 bottles of wine per month delivered to your doorstep for a set fee each month charged to your credit card.  Some clubs also offer discounts on your future purchases at their vineyard.  A great wine club I recently learned of and now market to others, delivers 2 different wines from around the globe each month, along with tasting lessons, wine-food pairings for the wine choices that month, email offers and 10-15% discounts on your online purchases (for those wines you fall in love with and want more of!).  It’s a great holiday gift-giving idea as well.  Think of it as a gift that continues to give well after the holidays have ended!  After all any day is a good day To Drink Wine.

This is not just a concept for individuals but for businesses and government alike. A great recognition available to both of the aforementioned is to become a green certified business. By doing so the company or organization tells their community they are environmentally conscious and are striving to have a competitive advantage over other similar businesses and encouraging others to do their part to preserve our environment and communities.

We all have opportunity to formerly educate ourselves so we might take leadership roles in the pursuit of environmentally friendly concepts designed to reduce foreign dependence and learn to use our earth’s resources efficiently to benefit future generations.

Green Jobs Alliance established in response to the Green Jobs Act and is working towards becoming one of America’s first nationwide nonprofit partnerships, required by the Green Jobs Act, to provide education, training and job placement to thousands of Americans.  Inside Business recently published an article on Green Jobs Alliance’s quest to seek government funding from federal grants which will assist to create and promote a green workforce.  Visit the Green Jobs Alliance website to research the types of green careers available to you.

Hampton Roads, Virginia is helping to bring Green Awareness to its communities by sponsoring a Green-Up Hampton Roads Expo on Thursday, November 12th from 10-7p at the Chesapeake Convention Center, Chesapeake, Va.

By doing our part every day we all can learn To Live Green.

Ironic how times have changed for me today.  After being laid off, I not only gained an abundance of time to spend on the computer to Friend, Follow and Connect with everyone around me, it has become the necessity in order to “market my brand”.  By that I mean, I am my own product to be marketed to hundreds of companies and those professionals working for them in an effort to land in my next career position.  Not only have I caught the wave of social media, I’m riding it as far as it can take me.

Earlier in my web of social media networking, I met an outgoing and inspiring individual who was introduced as a ”Social Media Expert” to my job club.  She was the influencer who started me tweeting on Twitter.  It’s been a faster ride on that wave ever since!  She also introduced me to New Media Conventions and the fantastic individuals who move behind the scenes of this entity.  I’m proud to say that I too am now a member of the planning team for New Media Conventions 2010 (NMC10) coming to Hampton Roads, VA next April.

Now is the time to Engage With New Media.  NMC10 is going to be an innovating and engaging experience for all of Virginia’s Tidewater region and beyond.  New Media experts from afar will come to share their ideas that can take your social media experience to a new level.  Businesses will learn how to make their entire marketing message communicate across all New Media.  From Social to Mobile to Global — New Media Conventions 2010.  Don’t miss it!  And be sure to also follow them on Twitter @NewMediaConv.

Last Sunday, Dr. Ranit Mishori wrote an article on stress for Parade magazine which I wanted to talk about here because it hit close to home for me too.  I recognize I’m a chronic stresser.  I always like to have a plan for everything.  When things don’t go according to that plan, I create a new plan to get me back on track.  I’m a forward-thinker and sometimes overly analytical as well.  So that naturally lends to my stress and worry over things that haven’t even happened yet.  I try to anticipate outcomes of the plans I have in place.  And there you see how a tangled web can be woven.

Dr. Mishori indicates stress can affect your heart, weight and skin and to be clear we’re talking about “bad” stress.  Not “good” stress which has been known to save peoples lives.  She goes on to say that continuous bad stress may also have a negative impact on your immune system.  Some physical signs of stress could be feeling tense, having headaches, sweaty palms, racing heart and stomach upset.  If you constantly worry, or have difficulty focusing or making decisions, you may be experiencing stress there too.

The good news is there are many ways to handle your stress such as exercise and mind-calming techniques like meditation and relaxation.  A good friend of mine who specializes in Guided Imagery, Mind Coaching, and Hypnotherapy, has many times worked her magic on me.  I’ve experienced reiki, meditation and guided imagery through her and I’m here to say there is something to these techniques.  I’m not the expert but I’d love to share her Imagery and Insight with you so you can see for yourself how many ways there are to help you Control What You Can and better manage stress.  Also take a moment to look at the ‘Related Articles’ section for additional information.

I’m going on 4 mos of being unemployed.  Who knows, it could be another 4-8 mos before I get an offer.  Even though I’m consistently told I’m doing everything thing I’m supposed to be doing to find my next position.  Attending event after event to work on expanding my network, reaching out to others to offer assistance, creating my brand and marketing through social media outlets, promoting others through social media, chasing down job leads, reaching out to contacts to help connect me to that lead, applying to jobs, customizing cover letters and resumes, researching companies and on and on.  Frantically searching for my next “ideal” job that will lead to a new career.  But I stopped to ask myself “What am I doing? Is this really what I want?”  Well yes and…

Then I decided to work harder at taking charge of my life NOW and not waiting for something to happen.  Someone at my job club meeting last week said in the future more and more of us will have multiple-income streams.  That struck a chord with me and it makes sense.  If our current economy situation  has taught us anything its that those jobs we once thought we’d have till retirement (or until we chose to leave), are not guaranteed or reliable.  If I’d had another source of income all along, losing my last job may not have been as devasting.

Last week I attended a seminar that promoted 20-25 legitimate “at-home” businesses (www.ww4w2009.com).  Here I realized a fantastic direct sales business that I know I’ll enjoy doing while the ”going gets tough”, and make $$ along the way.  Of course I’ll continue to search for FT employment, but now I’ll have another stream of income to get me through these “hard times”.  And one day when the “tough gets going” again, I’ll continue to have this 2nd income stream to allow me to contribute more to my retirement savings or have extra discetionary money for vacations, etc.

If you haven’t already, take time from your job search to research ‘at-home’ or ‘direct sales’ businesses.  They can range from the obvious make-up, jewelry, home decorations, candles and basket sales to the less obvious like products which promote health foods, skincare, intimate pleasure, healthy lifestyles, virtual services and the like.  Open your mind to the hundreds of possibilities out there To Create Your Future.