Creating Happiness During the Holidays - Tips 7 to 9

Creating Happiness During the Holidays - Tips 7 to 9

A huge source of stress during this holiday season is the “obligation” that we feel to buy gifts for way too many people. This not only bursts our budgets, it also steals our happiness and our energy.

Do yourself a huge favor and narrow down your shopping list this year! Furthermore, try to only give gifts that come from your heart. The Bible says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Remember that! If you are not a cheerful giver, then don’t bother giving.

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The Soulful Side of Eating

The Soulful Side of Eating

Sex and eating have a lot in common. They both involve pleasure through our senses and they can connect us more deeply with other people as a shared activity. That is if we slow down our super busy lives, become more mindful and make them a priority. 

The idea for Total Soulful Journey began years ago while I was on a photo safari in Africa with a couple from Spain, a couple from Canada and a number of couples from the USA. After shooting the sunset each evening we would return to our safari camp or hotel for dinner. The Americans typically ate quickly and returned to their rooms. My Spanish and Canadian friends, however, dined slowly savoring the wonderful flavors of the food along with a yummy variety of South African wines while sharing personal stories, laughter and camaraderie. These dinners had a soulfulness to them that was sadly lacking from my rushed dining experiences back in the States. Upon returning home I was determined to bring mindfulness and the romance of fine food back into my life. 

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