Dream Big!  Most years, I set goals and write them out.  Then I post them and frame them in an area I’ll see each and every day.  With few exceptions, I meet my goals each year.  So often in life, I find it’s easy to settle for less than greatness.  Think big and figure out what steps you need to take to achieve your dreams.  Thanks for being a part of my life this past year. I wish you great joy and much abundance in the year ahead! 

This post is part of a series on self-care Kate wrote to help you through the holidays.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Make a difference in the New Year. 

Almost every night when I lay my head down I thank Creator for my many blessings.  I often think about and pray for many beings that suffer while I lay down peacefully in my bed–the senseless use of animals being used in research, homeless people and animals, refuges, exploited children, people entrapped as slaves, the poor, animals in factory farms, and the ill and the lonely.  I ask for wisdom and willingness to use my gifts to serve the greater good.  I also ask God to give me a reprieve from my self-centered fear and greed.  As you think about the year ahead consider the many humanitarian organizations that strive to improve the lives of people and animals through-out the world.  How will you make a difference this year?

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Rejoice!  This is a time of year to celebrate the good.  What are you thankful for?  Who has blessed you this year?  What did you accomplish?  I’m sure you have many things that changed over the past year.  Perhaps some of your goals were unfullfilled.  Be grateful your still here to bring in a new year with all it’s possibilities.  Let the lesson of the Christ Child fill your heart.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Honor a Loved One.  Perhaps this Christmas is your first year without your parent, a partner or a grandparent.  Holidays can be very painful when someone you love is no longer here.  As you gather around the table, perhaps you can honor your loved one by having each family member tell what they most appreciated about that person.  Another great way to honor someone is to give a gift in their name.  It could be anything-flowers at a church, a monetary gift, a present or book for a stranger, or something as simple as shoveling your neighbors out when the next snow storm hits.  I find when I celebrate the life of my departed family and friends the grief is easier to bear.   Today’s blog is dedicated to my father, Dr. John Garvey, veteranarian.  Who would you like to remember today?

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Do something different.  Traditions are often created because we want to re-experience the good we had at another time.  For example, maybe the first time we baked a pumpkin pie we enjoyed the families reactions so much that we now feel obligated to make a pumpkin pie each year.  So do something new.  Hide Christmas balls for the kids, do pot luck with your friends, rent a movie filmed in the Caribbean, make vegan meatloaf or throw a costume party.  Traditions have their place, but it’s actually better for our minds and emotions if we throw in some surprises.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.   So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Don’t mask your feelings.  Human beings are emotional.  If you feel lousy be honest with yourself.  If we mask our feelings with food, drugs, alcohol or compulsive behaviors it only makes the emotions more difficult to deal with.  Find healthy ways to nurture yourself-a hot bubble bath, a nice cup of herbal tea, a vigorous walk in the woods, a cup of coffee with an old friend or stay in your PJ’s and read a good book.  Emotions change all the time and know that things will look different for you sometime soon.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Share a vegetarian meal.  Many people still have the impression that vegetarian food tastes like cardboard.  This is not true.  As more and more people have become aware of the horrors of factory farming and the chemicals and antibotics used in factory farming techniques, vegetarian meals have gained popularity.  One of my favorites is a riblet soy product. I also like to suprise people by introducing them to cruelty free (soy based) lunch meats.  Next time you attend a potluck, consider bringing a vegetarian meal.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Christmas Pets.  Personally, I hate the idea of giving an animal as a gift.  I think it sends the wrong message to children.  It’s also a very difficult transition for the animal amplified by the chaos of the holidays.  Additionally, there are Christmas items that are toxic to pets (i.e. chocolate for dogs, poinsettias for cats, etc).

If you want to purchase or adopt an animal, it’s best to do so well in advance of the holidays or after the company leave. If you really want to plan this as a Christmas event, buy and wrap a book about the dogs or cats for your child.  Insert a card letting the child know that they will be able to pick out a pet after the holidays are over.  Use this as a time to teach your children that pet safety is an important part of pet care and that you want the new animal to be safe.  Unfortunately, by February 1st, many new pets are brought to shelters because of a poor understanding on how to care for and train a pet.  

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Plan more rest.  In the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to neglect ourselves.  Does the tree really need more decorations, do you really need to buy one more present.  Look at your calendar and write in me times.  This could be a hour on Sunday afternoon to read a book or take a nap.  Make plans to get together with friends in January.  Simplify, simplify, simplify. 

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Avoid alcohol.  If you struggle at all with depression, avoid alcohol during the holidays.  Alcohol is a depressant and you’ll only feel worse.  If you’re invited to a party where you think people will be drinking, plan on making it a short visit and brings something that can pass for a drink.  I love to drink sparkling water with a twist of lime.  While alcohol can be sort of fun, for some people it’s addictive, and for others it increases depression.