Add a few new treats to your holidays...

Well, when writing this blog, Thanksgiving is happening next week. It has been a very busy couple of months and now the holidays are upon us. On the last blog, I shared with you ways to decrease our anxiety (Don’t let that anxiety mess up your holidays) that amp up at the holidays. Go back and read. I believe whole heartedly that it will help if we are aware of it. So, instead of doing just chores to get ready for the season, don’t forget to add some fun and cheer.

I like to do my shopping ahead of time and sit down and wrap watching TV. Oh, here I go with the multitasking! I told you that I had a problem. Maybe, I will only wrap with the movies I have already seen. Oh well, it will still be fun. I did some research on the most watched and favorite Christmas movies of all time. I have not seen them all but plan on watching many of them either again or for the first time. This is not my list. I just gathered the information and ranked from many lists. So, make a plan and decide to watch a couple. If you have grandchildren, it could be a new family tradition to select a Christmas movie to watch together.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life. Number one on all the lists. This is simply a must. Make some popcorn and gather your family around. (1946).

2. A Christmas Story. (1983). Did not make number two on all the list but right up there.

3. Miracle on 34th Street. Again, a top in all the lists. (1947).

4. Holiday Inn. I have never seen. (1942).

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (1967).

6. Home Alone. (1990).

7. The Nightmare before Christmas. (1993).

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas. (1965).

9. Elf. (2003).

10. Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. (1964).

What about favorite treats? Most of us probably have some of our family recipes that you love. I know, Myrna’s snowballs and spritz cookies are right up there. I enjoy hot apple cider (when it is not 90 degrees outside) and of course chocolate fudge. This year, I thought about adding a new recipe or trying out one that I have not made in a very long time. A cookie exchange would be fun! Have your friends or family come over or bake at their house a favorite recipe then exchange them. Viola! A cookie variety. I looked up several websites and came to the list of 20 of allrecipes most cherished Christmas Cookies. Here is the list.

1. Chewy Chocolate Chip

2. Rolled Sugar Cookie

3. Easy Sugar Cookie (if you don’t have children or grandchildren)

4. Snickerdoodle (I do like but have never made)

5. Ginger Cookie

6. Spicey Oatmeal Cookie (my grandmother would make huge batches of oatmeal cookies which I loved)

7. Linzer Tarts (looks amazing)

8. Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

9. Chocolate Crinkles (never made, not sure if I have had homemade)

10. Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

11. Gingerbread Men

12. Coconut Macaroon

13. Russian Tea Cakes (SNOWBALLS)

14. Cranberry Orange Cookie (look fantastic with coffee, Louis would not enjoy)

15. Shortbread Cookie

16. Buckeye Balls (looks incredible)

17. Peppermint Meringues

18. Peanut Blossoms (the one with the Hershey kiss in the middle)

19. Chocolate Rum Ball

20. Rugelach (looks very tasty)

I was amazed at how many I have not tried. Pick out a couple and make this year. So much fun and so much sugar. Remember, it is all in moderation. So we have a cookie with our coffee each morning for two weeks in a roll😁We can break the habit Jan 1🤦‍♀️.

Food for thought: (I really do enjoy these psychology classes)

Now, for something a little less fun but learning, I want to share something I read this week. It was about mental toughness. Here are some of the high points from my reading:

Mental toughness is a vital trait. However, it is not something that comes naturally or easily to most people. Rather, it is something that must be earned, and even after you earn it, you must work diligently to maintain it.

Another word for mental toughness is grit, which is defined as the ability to work hard and respond resiliently to failure and adversity. Grit is the inner quality that enables individuals to work hard and stick to their long-term passions and goals. It’s not surprising then that grit is a quality of most successful people; after all, mental toughness is needed for long-term success.

Mental toughness allows for delayed gratification. It helps hold back to temptation. It’s essential to overcome fear. It’s synonymous with being brave and courageous. Mentally tough people consistently do what’s right because they know what’s important.

Here are some ways that is mentioned to try to cultivate on your own!

Remember, we are never to old to learn new tricks or traits:

Act like you are in control. Act as if all is up to you. Always act as if success or failure is totally within your control, and either way, take responsibility. It will only improve it you take responsibility and not ignore.

Put aside things you have no ability to impact. Even with plenty of practice, mental strength is still a limited resource. So, don’t waste your mental toughness on things you can’t control. Look at the past as valuable training and nothing more. The past is an incredible teacher. Learn from your mistakes and those of others. Think about then let it go. All of it.

Celebrate the success of others. Success is not a zero-sum game. Embrace an abundance mindset (and abandon the scarcity mindset). Resentment sucks up an enormous amount of mental resources.

Don't allow yourself to whine, complain or criticize. Whining and complaining always make you feel worse, not better. Remember, words are powerful -- even those words you whisper quietly to yourself. Don’t waste time complaining; instead, put that energy into making the situation better. Whining has never fixed anything.

Focus only on impressing yourself. Don’t waste time, money and energy on “stuff” meant to impress others. Focus on creating genuine relationships that make you happier.

Count your blessings. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, focus deeply on what you do have and be grateful.