be JOYful... |

This Holiday season I have many reflections from this past year, 2010… many to “be’s”…

I find myself to be THANKFUL for my family and our health…
to be HAPPY that I have a comfortable home
ELATED that I have a job that I love more than ever imagined…
to be GRATEFUL to hear my children’s laughter bellowing through the home…
and to be JOYOUS that I have so many wonderful friends who surround me on a daily basis (and grateful for their honesty)

However, I also find that 2010 has brought me many things to
NOT want to “be” in 2011…
I hope for 2011 to not be SORROWFUL…
to not be QUICK and speedy, leaving me wondering where my day has gone…
to not be full of personal LOSS …

I also I find myself thinking of the “what if’s” at the holiday season…
what if my father in law and uncle were still here with us…
or what if my husband lost his job like so many we know…
what if things were different, in some way or another…
then I remind myself… there are no WHAT IF’s… only the here and now.

BE HAPPY, BE GRATEFUL, BE JOYOUS
for all of the wonderful things that we have enjoyed about 2010, even with with our great losses in hand.
The beautiful babies born… friends I have made and cherished… vacations in our new camper… and seeing my own father on a daily basis… I’m so very lucky!

There are 3 phrases I like to remind myself of on a daily basis…
1) The Golden Rule.. treat others have I would want to be treated…
2) No matter my suffering, there is always someone who suffers more…
3) Count your blessings

All three, I think are very often overlooked by each of us, myself included.

So the holidays are HERE..not just approaching, but HERE…
it’s time to care, love, share and most important.. GIVE!
Not just Christmas and Hannakuh gifts to our kids, friends and family members… but those who are truly in need and suffering in 2010, and in need of a better 2011.

At the end of December, I will donate a portion of my sales from all of my business’..
Tracy Joy Photography
The JOY Bag Collection
and Prop Insanity
to three fabulous charities…

My local PADS Homeless Charity, to help those of us who are truly deserving of a second chance

Cancer.org, to give some hope to those suffering from cancer, and so their families will not have to grieve as we have…

and of course, to One Tail at a Time…. because no animal should suffer under the hand of anyone. I believe that all animals are born pure and honest, and only become otherwise by the hand of man… they deserve a chance at love and life just as we all do.