As we get closer to the 4th of July, I see more people talking about freedom and what is your definition of freedom.  I see the 4th of July in a different way.  The 4th of July is not necessarily about freedom for me.  It is about celebration! 

Although I do not need a reason to celebrate (I even had a party because our kitchen was remodeled), my tradition at this time of the year is planning a family gathering and celebrating a fun and relaxing time together.  In fact, my birthday is right after the 4th of July and our family would have my birthday party in the early afternoon and a cookout afterwards.  It was a blow-out and one of the best times of the year! 

For me, the 4th of July is about laughs, celebration, reminiscing, forecasting and planning our futures, and being so tired from the fun we had that we could not wait to do it again.

I'm curious, what does the 4th of July mean to you?

Savor life's best,

Aimee

When I worked as a long-distance telephone operator during the first two summers of college, it was easy to tell what holiday we were working based on the number of collect calls placed.  For Mother's Day, the collect calls went up (yes, people called their mothers and asked them to pay for the calls).  For Father's Day, the overall call traffic was not as dramatic (just my recollected observations).

A gross generalization is that fathers are less touchy-feely than mothers are.  Fathers do the providing while mothers do the care-giving and nurturing.  As any young child, most fathers are fun to be with while some mothers "nag the fun" out of rough play and silliness.  For some of us, it is easier to talk to our mothers.  Generally, we know where they stand - they clearly have no problem sharing their opinions.  For some Fathers, there is guesswork involved with knowing what our Fathers think, what our Fathers have experienced, and what our Fathers like.

Here's my best suggestion to solve your Father's Day Gifting Dilemma:

Create an opportunity where you and your Father will get to know each other and deepen your relationship.

The obvious is sitting down and talking.  For some children and Fathers, that might not work.  It may feel too confrontational.  Or, it may cause either party to feel trapped.  Or, it might feel too forced.

This Father's Day, schedule an activity that might provide fun (people relax more when they are having fun) and a chance to show your personality and your Father's personality.   The possibilities are endless.

Start here:  ask your Father (or Father-figure, depending on your situation) if he would mind getting together with you and letting you treat him to something special.  Then, ask him what he would like to do.  Just do it!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

www.OccasionsToSavor.com

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Once the calendar turns, magic happens.  We turn hopeful.  We start resolving to do better.  We are even giddy with the clean slate we've been handed.  I wondered why people do not make the same resolutions any other time of the year.  Or, why we wait until a new year to look forward.  Or, why we lament on the past at the end of the previous year.

It seems that the hope of tomorrow or a grand unknown is what gives us the magic of the new year.  It is almost like an hourglass - as the sand spills into the lower chamber, or moves closer to the end, we start looking back.  When the hourglass is turned upside down and all the sand is at the top, there is hope.

Let's not wait until a new year comes.  I challenge you to take each day as the clean slate.   Each new day gives us a chance to start over, see the possibilities, and put our stamp on each moment.

I invite you to change the magic of a new year to the magic of each new day.

Savor life's best,

Aimee

http://www.OccasionsToSavor.com

Follow me on Twitter!

Happy New Year!

We are hours away from moving into 2010.  We have a blank slate to write on and new experiences to have.  Our choices are brand new.  Our possibilities are limitless.

I learned so much during 2009 that I cannot wait until 2010.  Here are the top

1. I discovered the love of blogging - writing my own blog, when I can carve the time, and reading other people's blogs.

2. I started working with a Success Coach and I am expanding my thinking in amazing ways.

3. I found that loving what you do everyday makes a world of difference.

Taking this knowledge into 2010 means that an abundance of possibilities await me.

May 2010 bring you new possibilities, opportunities, and new insights!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

www.OccasionsToSavor.com

Follow me on Twitter!

Many psychologist will tell you that prisons should never be painted red as red provokes anger and hostility. Red is the color of fire and passion which is why so many red flowers are sent around Valentine's Day. Colors also have symbolic connotations as well as psychological significance.  For example white stands for purity. Blue induces mood of reflectivity and tranquility.

Whatever feeling or look desired, you can manufacture it via a paint brush. Every wonder why many eateries and fast food places have orange as a major part of the decor? Think about baby nurseries - light, happy pastels are the norm for infants, blue or pink.

Bringing the outdoors in with the greens and browns, all very calming values of color is very much in vogue right now. The way our world is in 2009 we all crave peace and calmness at home escaping the fast pace of our day.

We associate colors with what they represent too. In our minds, blue represents the sea and sky, yellow the sun, green the grass. So may I suggest you take some time to rethink you surroundings? Enjoy the beach? You can create that same feeling for your home. Like camping, the great outdoors? Yes with a little time and some paint why not craft your own weekend getaway to enjoy every day? Want to be happier in '09?

So if you desire to be more productive, successful, calm and relaxed achieve it all with color. First, redo your space and then that will naturally transform you. You will be happier, therefore, not eat as much, be calmer which will then make you want to call Mom. You will feel so good about talking with Mom! Once done talking with your Mother you know you will want to hit the gym. Looking better from your workouts will then give you the courage to get more involved, get active and join new associations and groups. When involved with all your new found friends from your new associations and groups you will most certainly want to show off your new place, all refreshed, revitalized for the New Year.

Transform your place in 2009 ~Transform yourself and shine!

Donnamarie Bates,
TRANSFORMATIONS
Design Strategies and Style Solutions

Interior Design/Redesign
Real Estate Staging
Spacial Planning
Window Fashions and more

http://www.transformationsdesigns.vpweb.com/
db_transformations@msn.com
(215) 919-9012

This blog entry reflects the views and opinions of Donnamarie Bates only.