Celebrating Life During the Holidays and Beyond

As we continue the holiday season, it is a great time to reflect, meditate, and evaluate our lives, especially over this year. A little personal story, I turned 40 and wanted to celebrate turning 40 my way. I did not want a big party since I don't typically dance. However, I wanted to do something bid. With a little brainstorming, I decided to create a list to celebrate my birthday for 40 straight days. I created a list of activities that included things I liked doing, wanted to try, or old activities I stopped doing for whatever reason. It was the best summer ever!

To get your juices flowing about ways for you to celebrate life by doing things, ask yourself the following:

• What did you do in your childhood or teenage years that you stop doing? Sports? Dance? Instrument? Hobbies?
• What activities do you do now that you enjoy? Do you do them often?
• What things have you wondered about but have not done? Do you have a bucket list? What's on it you need to cross off because you have done it?

These were the questions I asked myself to start my list. I had about 50 activities listed. I even looked up googled topics such as "bucket list", "things to do", etc. There are lists for everything you can imagine - free activities, activities for couples, activities for families, activities for women, activities for men, activities in (insert your city).

Here are some of the activities that made my list (I need to complete some of them):

• Climbing Stone Mountain
• Brunch with loved ones
• Community Service Day (I donated blood and clothes)
• Game Night
• Belly Dancing class
• Pole Dancing class
• Painting (many cities offer 2-3 hours class)
• Shooting Range
• Amusement Park
• Rock climbing 
• Skydiving
• Movies
• Screen on the Green
• Seeing a play
• Jazz on the Green

It is never too late to start to celebrate life and create new memories. Today is a great day to start formulating a plan to make it happen. WRITE IT DOWN. MAKE IT PLAIN.

Celebrating Life Through Love Language Physical Touch

We are have made it to the last love language – physical touch. Physical touch is any action where a body part of one touches the body part of another. It is really that simple. However it can mean the most at a given time. For instance, hugs after a long day of bad news, kisses from your child or honey are a few examples. Think about the time you felt happy or loved simply being cuddled up with your special someone watching a television show or movie. Remember the young love walking hand in hand in the park or mall. 

Most of my life, I have been a member of large churches. One pastor had a part of the service where we “passed the peace”, which was a time for us to hug those around us. What stuck with me all this time was a comment he made. That may be the only hug someone receives all week. That made me sad. Something as simple as a hug, a real connection to another human being may not happen for over a week.

When most think of physical touch, they immediately think of sex. Even though that is part of it, physical touch is so much more! Physical touch includes the following:

           

·         Hugs

·         Kisses

·         Back rubs

·         Feet rubs

·         Massage

·         Holding hands

·         Cuddling

·         Playing footsies

Share a moment when a physical touch act really made your day. We would love to read them!

Celebrating Life through Acts of Service

We are winding down with celebrating life through the 5 love languages. So far we have celebrated life through words of affirmation, quality time, and receiving gifts. We have two more to left: acts of service and physical touch. Today we will find ways to celebrate life through acts of service.

Many of us perform acts of service many times a day and probably do not realize it. Acts of service are deeds we do for someone else. It is even meaningful when it is an act the other person needs but don’t want to do or an act you really don’t want to do, but your love for that person compels you to do it.

Many of my friends especially moms are queens of acts of service. Here are some ways to show love and celebrate life through acts of service:

•         Cook a meal
•     Pick up dinner for your spouse after a long day at work
•     Baby sit for a couple to give them time together
•     Give a single parent a “me” day 
•     Guys: pump gas for a lady
•     Carry groceries for an elderly person, pregnant lady, or mom struggling with groceries and kids
•     Cut the grass for the neighbor
•     Do the chores of someone in your home

Share some ways you have received or given acts of service. List some ways people can celebrate you with acts

of service. We would love to read them!

Celebrating Life through the Love Language of Giving Gifts

The last 2 weeks we have shared how we celebrate life through 2 of the 5 love languages: words of affirmation and quality time. This week we will discuss the next language, receiving gifts. When one thinks of receiving gifts, gold digger or

 a kept man comes to mind. However, this is not necessarily the case. A person whose love language is receiving gifts appreciates the thought behind the gift more than the gift itself. Small and inexpensive gifts are just as meaningful as expensive gifts.

Here are some ideas to celebrate love through gifts:
• Send a card
• Make something
• Give them something they have mentioned in passing (a book, DVD, article of clothing, etc
• Give them something that reminded you of them.
• Bring home flowers or even a single rose
• Pick up dinner

If you are up to the challenge, give your love one a gift day or even week. For a day, give them something in the morning, afternoon, and evening. For example, leave a treat in the car seat in the morning, have lunch, flowers, or edible arrangements delivered to the workplace, and another thoughtful gift when he or she gets home. Use your imagination and have fun with it!

Celebrating Life through Quality Time with Loved Ones

Over the past 2 weeks, we have discussed the concept of celebrating life through the five love languages. Last week, we talked about one of them, words of affirmation. In a nutshell, you are celebrating someone through words. It could be through speaking or writing.

Today’s love language is quality time. Quality time is spending time with someone (whether mate, children, friends, and family members). This time is undivided attention. Therefore, put away the laptop, tablet, cell phone, tv, and any other distractions in your life. Quality time is not too hard to do. Here are some suggestions:

• When having a conversation, ignore your phone, turn off the television, and focus on that person
•  For couples, dedicate a few hours/an evening just for the two of you
• Have family night. Use the time to do those things your family like such as movie night, game night, bowling night, etc
• Take a walk together and forget the rest of the world

                                               

Here are a few tips to remember:

• Try new things
• Compromise on the activities you choose. The important thing is spending time together
• Listen to your loved ones. They give you clues into who they are and what they like.

The things you can do to share quality time is endless. All you need is an imagination. There are many sites to find ways. Google ways to share quality time.

GEB Through the Eyes of Others

Disclaimer: I started this post over a year ago. I was determined to finish it.

As part of this getting to know me challenge, I thought it would be interesting to see me through the eyes of others. One of my dearest friends, Lee has written many posts about my family or me. The quickest way for me to get it to you, is to just add her links from the different posts.

Birthday Wishes and Cruise Recap

Baby Bandit Rec Basketball

New Year's 2010

A snippet from Lee's blog
Sunday. First of all, I checked my phone, and there were like, 5 missed calls. My phone was on vibrate and in the bottom of my laptop bag. No, I don't have my phone stuck to my ear at all times. I could care less about my phone.

The Green Eyed Bandit had been calling. That broad know she know how to blow a phone completely up! And she KNOWS that if the phone is not next to me within reach, I won't be answering it.

Call my house phone, gal!!! Dang!!

Her answer is always "I don't care. I'll just keep calling."

She has to be one of the most tenacious broads I know!


She didn't want anything. Just to check on me. And she's my FFF group leader, so I know she was trying to make sure I hadn't jumped ship and bought a shiny new Lexus or booked a trip to some beautiful beach. She encouraged me to pay off my debt.

And I know she had her fist balled up and ready to come through that phone and punch me in my face if I said otherwise.

LOL

No Ma. I haven't gone out and bought that Lexus I want so BADLY. (Not yet, anyway. These bills better come on in. That's all I gotta say about that!)

Then there was a Facebook game about a year ago.  The game was you inbox a number to a friend then they posted your number and with their impression of you. I decided to send my number to one of my friends who was playing. His response was "the 1st thing I noticed about you when we met in college was your inner strength. You have no neutral gear. If you are for someone or something, you are all in for them or it. You are honest to a fault and I love you for it."
I remember thinking he knew me pretty well and we did not have the same inner circle. I chuckled because I am truly an open book.

Last week, I decided I was going to finish some of the posts I started. So I posted a message on FB for my friends to give either their 1st impression or their current impression of me. Therefore, the next few statements are from my FB friends. Most of them are college Another friend stated, you are a good friend to have and easy to talk to. You are very sexy and don't look your age. One must be careful or they might start to develop strong feelings for you. 

A college friend said,  My first impresson of you is back in the day at MBC. I thought you were "mean"! LOL! You had that no nonsense look!!! LOL But you a hella cool chic! You know that came from one of my Cali Brownites! 

One of my sorors who pledged me stated, "Inspiring". I was not expecting that comment at all.  

One of my football moms (our boys have been on the same football and basketball teams) commented, "First impression people person but my current impression is the same but add intelligent with a loving spirit. "

One of my dear line sisters said, 1st Impression - Nice. Cute. In the "in" crowd. Current Impression: Resourceful. Dependable. The "go to" girl. I THANK GOE THAT OUR PATHS CROSSED! PROUD TO CALL YOU SOROR. BLESSED TO CALL YOU LS. GRATEFUL THAT WHENEVER I NEED YOU, I CAN JUST CALL YOU! *tear

Now, I am not the type of person who let other's perception define me. However, I know their perception is their reality of me. I never had anyone give me their opinion of me that I did not agree with at least part of it because I have stated many times. I am a many things to many people. I am who you need me to be while still being me!

Celebrating Life through Love Languages

Last week we talked about The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Today we will look at celebrating life through words of affirmation.

Words of Affirmation is showing love and celebrating through w

ords. Now what does that really mean? It means that kind words are important, stating “I love you” is important, giving compliments are important. On the flip side, criticism and degrading words are very painful.

How do we celebrate life and love through words of affirmation? Here are some suggestions:
• Give genuine compliments. I remember having a challenge to give 5 compliments per day for a month. (That shirt looks good on you. I love how you can relate to the kids, etc.)

• Send a sincere text to a love one (Just sending you a quick text to say I was thinking about you/love you)

• Write an old fashion letter and send it through snail mail telling someone what they have mean to you through a time period in your life

• Send a card just because

• Tell someone what you admire in them and why ( I admire y
your work ethic. Even when things seem impossible, you press through)

• Praise your significant other (to him/her and to others) ( I love how you spend your free time making sure the family is good)

• When speaking to someone, use a kinder and gentler tone. (Will you be able to assist me versus when are you going to help me? I have been asking all day!)

How are some ways you can or do celebrate life and love through words of affirmation?

For those of you who did not complete the love language quiz, the link is below
Quiz: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/30-second-quizzes/love/

Can’t wait to get new ways to speak love and celebrate life!

Tiffany Dillard