I have ordered small magnifying glasses to use as promotional give-aways at my upcoming book signings. I am attaching a tag with contact information and to promote my book the phrase, "Investigate strategies to Sell More." As I was preparing the cards and ribbons to tie to the magnifying glasses it occurred to me that as Christmas approaches everything is magnified. Sometimes magnified out of proportion.

Financial concerns are magnified when choices are made shopping for gifts and bills need to be paid.

Loneliness seems especially acute when you are alone and not with family or friends. It seems worse somehow to be apart during this happy time.

Stress is magnified as you try to accomplish all your regular "have tos" and still find time for decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning and celebrating the holidays. There never seems to be enough time.

Time can seem to slow to a crawl if you are all alone. Surviving the festivities when you are feeling lost, depressed, hungry and without the spirit of Christmas or its trappings can be unbearable.

People who celebrate the birth of Christ as the true meaning of Christmas can even fall prey to to magnifying their own feelings. Sometimes the side effect isn't kindness and love for everyone, but rather they become judgmental of those who they feel have commercialized the holiday. How can any of us be positively sure what motivates another?

It would be awesome if during Christmas, especially during Christmas everyone could be nice to each other. Be thankful for what we have, share and have fun. It would be awesome if Christmas Day everyone would have at least one moment of happiness, smiling and laughter.

May you enjoy your day and not fall prey to magnifying the situation.



I've got to go. I have my own magnifying glass to break and replace with spoonful of sugar (a cookie) and happy hopeful thoughts about the many possibilities that 2008 holds. Time to put the emphasis on the joys I have to celebrate instead of magnifying what is missing. Time to celebrate the miracle of Christmas and the joys of this festive season.