From Thomas Leonard’s 28 Principles of Attraction I bring you # 24 which is:

SIMPLIFY EVERYTHING.

ABANDONING THE NON-ESSENTIALS LEAVES MORE ROOM FOR YOU TO ATTRACT

And the word “attract” in this case is referring to those people, things, ideas, activities that you want to attract into your life.  The challenge is to know what a non-essential is to you and then how to abandon it.

Christmas this year for us is going to be very simple, very simple indeed.  My car brakes gave up the ghost last week and we had new ones installed at the tune of $783.00  Nothing like a vehicle emergency to put the simple back into your life.  At least, the way we want to live our lives.  Charging up a huge bill that would hang over us for many months into the New Year is not how we choose to live our lives these days so we’re abandoning the frantic pace of buying Christmas gifts that would truly take the crunch out of the snow and put it right into our wallets.

As much as I hate to admit this to you, if I had an endless supply of money one of the things I would love to do with it is to buy gifts for people–all kinds, all the time. I love buying gifts that I know will light someone’s eyes up.  Seeking out just the right thing is something that I can do well for the most part.  Because I’m in a “food program” that asks that we not eat flour and sugar, I don’t cook. Okay, if truth be known I wouldn’t cook anyway, but I really really have a good excuse now!  And if you read back through several of my posts you’ll know that I am certainly not an artsy craftsy person.  I would hate to think of what I’d do with a skein of wool and two needles.  So when i have to abandon buying gifts for people to show them that I love them and care for them, it really puts me into a quandry.

How does one go about letting the people in her life know how much they mean to her at a time when it seems the entire world is giving gifts to show how they feel?  Here’s ten ideas that I came up with on the matter, hope they inspire you. Feel free to add your own as well!

1.  One way you can do it is to tell them. I know, right? It seems pretty obvious but you might be surprised to know just how many people actually do not tell the people they love (or even like) how they feel about them. Give it a whirl, you might be surprised at yourself.

2.  Give people your time.  I know, another one that we give good voice to but don’t always think about carrying it out.  Who do you know who is alone or sick that you could give an hour of your time to today?

3.  By all means if you’re crafty, craft away!! But if you’re like me, what is a talent that you have? I’m a fantastic cleaner, organizer and straightening upper.  Could totally turn someone’s home into a castle if they let me.

4. Ditto if you know someone who has dogs.  Where do you think all that poop outside goes?  All you need is a trash bag and a shovel to give someone some cheer!

5. Can you wrap presents well?  Hmmm, can think of at least a few people who would surely love some help wrapping their gifts.

6. What about taking someone’s Christmas cards and/or packages to be mailed? Can you think of anything more selfless than to stand in line for somebody else? Hey, what do you think those new Smart Phones are all about? To keep you connected during the wait.

7.  If you know someone elderly or home bound who has the perfect gift in mind for a loved one but lacks the mobility to go purchase it….well, there could be you helping them do just that!

8.  Throw a white elephant party for your block, street, neighbors, floor of your apartment or dorm. Rummage around in your closets and drawers, I’m sure you’ll find something you can gift away!

9.  Dig up all the socks, shirts, sweaters and sweat pants that you and your family are not using anymore (clean please!) and keep them rolled up in your car with ribbon to hand to a homeless person next time you see them walking along the street.  It gets really cold out there.

10.  You do have something to give that is your own special unique spin on giving. Remember the reason for the season and give in the best way you can.