December 18, 2007

Make It Your Recipe   You won't need pots and pans, cookie sheets, rollers, cookie cut-outs, or even an oven to make this recipe for the holidays.  You will need effort, heart, and a desire for a fulfilling life.   Recipe for a Merry Christmas   4 cups of Love                                     2 cups of Understanding 2 cups of Friendship                             3 Tablespoons of Surprise 1 cup of Hope                                      Faith (according to taste) 3 cups of Kindness                               Peace (the more the better) 1 cup of Patience                                  1 barrel of laughter                         A pinch of Happiness (no substitutions)                         Lots of Good Cheer (not optional)   Take Love and Friendship and mix thoroughly with Hope.  Blend in Kindness, Patience, and Understanding.  Add a generous helping of Surprise and stir with spirit.  Fold in Faith, alternating with an abundance of Peace.  Bake with Insight and Wisdom.  Top with Laughter and decorate with Happiness and Good Cheer.                                                 Serve with Season's Greetings!     Reference: A pie plate by Ganz   This recipe for a Merry Christmas can also be used as a recipe for living life on the balance beam.  Place your values into the ingredients in the appropriate amounts for you, then stir, and lead your fulfilling life.            "Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect."             Oren Arnold   "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."             Charles Dickens   "When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."             Bob Hope   "And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?   It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes, or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store?  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."             Dr. Seuss        Winter wonderland has arrived.  The ice storm played havoc earlier in the week and now the snow has fallen.  It does make for a beautiful scene.  Will we have a white Christmas?  Valerie is home for two weeks and we'll be doing some baking.  Perhaps, a Balance Beam pie!   As the time draws near to celebrate Christmas, I wish all my readers and their families the magic and joy of the holiday season.  Make merry your home and happy your heart this time of year and all throughout the New Year.   I am taking a few weeks off and The Balance Beam will return on January 8, 2008 with thoughts for the New Year.   Stephanie        We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com