December 2021 Newsletter: Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! Can you believe we’re entering our final month of 2021? I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.

First, Thank you for your business, support, referrals, Google Reviews and trust in our gifts and services. We are also grateful for all our amazing suppliers and the relationships that we have built, and the people we have met over the years.

We send our support and condolences to those impacted by the flooding and mudslides across the various regions of Greater Mainland and the interior of British Columbia. While we face these unprecedented times, keeping harmony in mind can help all of us be supportive and considerate of each other.

As the end of the year approaches, I've been thinking a lot about harmony, and how to adopt a harmonious mindset both at work and home. A key ingredient to better work life balance is harmony. Making a dedicated effort has the potential to improve business practices, relationships at work and at home.

Over the years I have learned some tools and processes, including some great advice, all of which has worked for me. I would like to share these with you in the December newsletter. How to become the spark that spreads joy as we gear up for the final stretch of the crazy ride that we call 2021.

1. Everyone is doing their best. A safe assumption to make is that everyone is doing their best. “Best” varies in degrees and with everyone. Adopting this perspective that people are trying their best is a great start.
   
2. Hangry is real! Nourishment and hunger can derail your mood, actions, and reactions. Not eating well can have a detrimental impact on your mood. This affects your tone and body language. Take the time to feed and fuel each day and make smart choices about snacking and meals. With the holiday season, it is easy to indulge in too much and ensuring that you find balance in healthy choices as well.
   
3. SLOW DOWN – If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, frantic or rushed, learning how to slow down may be just what you need. It seems that the world and time is moving faster everyday. Slowing down intentionally helps you become more present and mindful. It helps to reduce stress.
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               
   
   Whenever I see this street sign, I take the cue and remind myself to slow down. I see this sign everyday from my balcony, a constant reminder to slow down and play.
4. Exit The Explain and Complain Cycle - A great friend of mine, Ria Berdebe once shared why we should exit the explain or complain cycle. Ria, said that when something goes wrong (we spend time analyzing, brewing, or occupying our minds with it, getting frustrated and showing it all over on our face, body language and even our tone.
   She goes on the say, and then someone comes along and asks you "WHY" or what's wrong? You start your cycle of explaining the story, the circumstances to that person and your WHY. Pretty soon she says, we will find ourselves in the continuous complaining mode. Ria said that it's useless to ever explain or complain or vice versa because it does not resolve your issue. If it doesn’t solve the problem, it’s not worth spending energy on. Best advice I received in my late 20s.
   
5. Golden Hour - What time of the day serves you best? Time out allows you to filter, prioritise and enable you to create lists for you to check off at the end of the day. Mornings are best for me, and I start my day happy when I am up at 5.00 am. Adopt habits and routines that serve you.
   
6. Full Service - Imagine driving into a gas station, tired, hungry, and thirsty. Your experience by the person serving you has been top notch – You were given a glass of water to quench your thirst, food to fuel your stomach and refill your tank so that you can continue your journey. As you depart; you are so grateful for the amazing service and care. Take the opportunity to be of service to someone else.

The norm of reciprocity lends to better work and home environments and collaboration. Be in full service whenever possible. Your generosity will go a long way. Harmony can improve every single aspect of your life when we take the time to acknowledge it and follow small simple steps.

I am confident that we get to “Best” by being better everyday. Thank you. Happy Holidays and be the spark that spreads joy.

All my very best,