Oh December, You Wild and Restless Month!

December is a confusing month. It seems to include every emotion known to humanity — happy, sad, glad, mad. It's a closer, the year is ending and we have so much to do, and an opener, plans for the new year are made during this month. The weather goes from sunny and cold to icy and gray to snowy.

It starts slowly with plenty of time to accomplish all that needs to be done to a countdown that means late nights and rushing to get it all done. Is there time for you? What can you do to keep yourself calm — well, not so rattled?

It can be done, you know. Hate to give you more, but here's a To Do list just for your sanity over the next month:

To Do:

1. List all you want to accomplish and put it in order of importance

2. Delegate anything that can be. Ever use Virtual Assistants? You can get one on the internet and they can be lifesavers.

3. Keep to a good nutritional and physical exercise program, even if it needs to be modified for the month.

4. Don't spend too much on Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. You'll resent bringing those bills into the new year.

5. Spend some time reviewing what the old year has brought you and planning where you want to spend your energy in the new year.

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A member sent this poem and Ok'd my passing it along to you. The author is unknown. (If anyone knows who it is, please let me know, I'd like to give credit.)

I think many of us have this sentiment, but have difficulty putting it into words, especially since the Political Correctness Police are so strong and vocal. Do you remember the billboards, "Keep Christ in Christmas," that dotted the roadside? Did you ever think it would come to pass that He was taken out?

I think this is the year that it has been accomplished. It's now the "shopping season," the "holiday tree," and no creche scenes to be found.

What are you doing to keep Christmas the remembrance of the Christ Child? Do email us to tell what you are doing.

Merry Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through the land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas — no one could say,
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday',
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks & credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X Box, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd,
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Ikea were hanging their trees upside down
At the Bay the word Christmas, was no where to be found.
At Staples, Wal-Mart, Future Shop and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me,
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton.

At the top of City Hall, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter,
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbiddent to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started,
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully,
Choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS
Not Happy Holiday!

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Maybe we can make a difference

Do any of you know that the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis C. Wolff, has passed a ruling that no longer can milk cartons bear information concerning bovine hormones? His ruling states that, effective January first, dairies will be banned from advertising that products come from cows who have never been treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin, known as recombinant bovine growth hormone, rBST, Posilac or rBGH, and sold by Monsanto Company of St. Louis.

Not only are Pennsylvania dairies affected, but those in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut and Massachusetts shipping to Pennsylvania have been notified to change their labeling.

Apparently, few of those who would be affected by the ruling — the people who buy milk, the dairy farmers who process milk having no artificial hormones, were aware that it had been passed.

Rutter's Dairy of PA and the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility have spoken out about the ruling after it passed, not being aware of it until then.

Last week, I found out about it from one of our members. I got in touch with my representative, Mario Scavello, who was not aware of it, either. After I emailed him some information on the ruling, he got busy and contacted his colleagues in Harrisburg.

A couple of nights ago, I got a call from him that made me feel that democracy, for all the hits it has been taking lately, is not dead. He and his colleagues were able to stop the ruling and open it up for discussion.

We're not out of the woods yet on this bill, and all people who are concerned need to make their concerns known to their representatives across the country. But at least now we have a chance of getting what we want and not being pushed aside by Big Business and Big Government.

This is not a story of Pennsylvania. It is a story that affects the whole country and perhaps, the whole world, and just happens to originate in Pennsylvania.

Please let us know what you think and what you are doing about this important issue. And do send a "Thank you" to Mr. Scavello at http://tinyurl.com/2k98vf

If you would like to read more about this, go to http://tinyurl.com/3yz7ea

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Conquer the Commute: Tools for the Road and Life makes the perfect ebook to send to your commuter friends around the world.

"Dr. Mastria's book has practical ideas for making the commute more bearable, but also goes beyond it by suggesting ways to improve your life while on the road and at home. She "gets" the issue of fatigue and putting life "on hold" during time we commute. I would recommend this book to anyone who commutes as a way to begin to improve the life quality." J. Erikson, daily automobile commuter in the Midwest

Be well,

Dr. M.

P.S. Commuter Chronicles Recommends:

Go Card USA: Unlimited Admission to Top Attractions, Tours, Museums in America's Top Destinations; 1 Low Price!

At this time of year, with visits to Grandma and holiday vacation, the GoCard will come in handy for discounts in many cities.

About Dr. Marie Mastria

Dr. Mastria is an author, consultant, psychologist and coach to those who wish to make life good. If you are seeking help with new beginnings or old habits that don't work any longer, you may reach her at 570-839-6394 or at drm@commuter-assist.com.
 

Dr. Mastria is founder of Commuter-Assist.com, which publishes e-books, CDs and cassettes to help commuters get the most out of their commute and life in general.  Dr. Mastria speaks, offers workshops, and consults to businesses.  She also provides life, wellness, and executive and business coaching to groups and individuals.  To contact Dr. Mastria email info@Commuter-Assist.com or call 570-839-6394. 

All content Copyright © 2007, Dr. Marie A. Mastria, CLC, PCC / Commuter-Assist.com. All rights reserved. You may copy or send it to family or friends who may benefit from it so long as the format and credits are intact. You have permission to publish this article electronically, free of charge, as long as the by-lines are included and links are activated and maintained. A courtesy copy of your publication or link to website would be appreciated.