Merry Christmas To All, And to All A Good Night!! We survived the pandemic of 2020

 Dear Readers!

Christmas Day is here! I can't believe the year is slipping away so fast!

Remember when the pandemic first hit big in March of this year in North America? The mass panic and hysteria of extra hand washing, wearing masks, and hiding out at home really had us in an uproar. Not to mention, those frantic people hoarding toilet paper! You had to drive to about seven stores before you could find some. So glad they put restrictions on that now.

How are you doing out there? Here in Southern Ontario, we got a dusting of the white stuff. It's not much,  maybe an inch or two, but it was enough to put me in the mood for a white Christmas. Last night was freezing rain and gloominess.

Just wanted to hop onto the computer and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, wherever you are.

I'll be resting here A LOT with four days off work. My lemon tea, Starbucks blond roast, and egg nog will keep me company, along with boundless Hallmark Christmas movies and the company of my amazing daughter. Oh, and my Scentsy stash. This romance author is a Scentsy consultant with a serious addiction to the wonderfully fragranced wax bars that make home and hearth smell so divine!

Yes, we are self-isolating. There's no place I'd rather be, than here at home for the holidays. I need to rest. I am exhausted. This year has been draining, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I hope you're all taking good care of yourself, with plenty of rest, fluids,

and self-care. Loving yourself through it all is the best gift you can give.

In the timeless

and festive words of writer Clement C. Moore: "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

Stay safe! Happy holidays and a VERY BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TOO!

Much love,

RR xo

EMBRACING THE CHANGES: Life Is What Happens When We're Busy Making Other Plans

Dear Readers,

I've discovered long ago --and have been reflecting on it this past week -- that the only constant thing in life is "change." Tomorrow is not promised, and all we have is the present moment, our true GIFT.

Change can be exhilarating, but it can also be downright TERRIFYING.In truth, how many of us are actually READY for that change when it comes?

This week I heard from a woman whose daughter, at 58 years old, was "let go" of her 20-year stint as an admin assistant at a prominent Toronto college. The woman was devastated. The letter addressed to her stated "you no longer fit the ethics and culture of our organization."

I can't imagine what that would feel like, being in a career you love to work in, and then one day, you are forced out of that job in the most unkind way.

In my own experience, I've been forced out of jobs for various reasons, and most of the time, I was not given a reason. I've understood that it was because I was simply "not a good fit." You know what? What a wonderful revelation! Just for the fact that --THANK GOD-- I was meant to be elsewhere!!!! Hallelujah to that! Let's raise a toast. Why would I ever want to waste my time, skills, talents and beauty on a career and people who don't celebrate me? No thanks! NEXT!!!

Let's not undermine the fact that "Life is what happens when we're busy making other plans" (John Lennon).
Did you ever notice that the most incredible adventures have happened when we were forced out of our comfort zone? When did you ever experience anything MONUMENTAL or news worthy, just by sitting there like a bump on a log, or "coasting"through life at the same boring and predictable pace? Exactly.

I'll admit...some changes have been painful and left deep scars. I was not ready for them. Now, looking back, I am grateful that I was transported to another time and place. Even outside of my zipcode!

For 2020, let's try our best to embrace the changes that occur. It's good for building character, we face new obstacles but we also experience fresh opportunities and BRAND NEW PEOPLE that might bring us the greatest JOY of our life. By holding onto the bland stuff from 2019, we may never know how incredibly stellar we could become, if only we took that plunge.

My wish for you this year is to take more chances, allow the changes, and forge a new path to a brave new frontier.

I wish you joy, love and happiness always.

Much love,

RR xo