My Own Treasured Friends, 

Here we are, smack dab in the middle of November, and I’d like to tell you how very pleased I am to welcome you to my first Gracious Living newsletter. 

I believe there isn’t enough gentility these days.  I yearn for approachability and readiness to respond with pleasant, tactful conversation and / or suggestions that can raise the spirits and polish the silver lining of everyone's clouds.  This should be something for which we all strive.  Cheerfulness, courtesy, and tastefulness, even the ridiculous, are major ingredients of my philosophy for living happily ever after.  Too often I fall short of my objective, but that doesn’t mean I don’t continue trying.  And yes, there still is a happily ever after.  Don’t ever doubt it!  

This newsletter has been a while in coming, but believe me when I say that it isn’t because we haven’t been working on it.  My wonderful sister, Nancy, a self-described web lackey, has been spending her spare time developing the unique concept of our website that you can reach at either greenlightWRITE.com or GraciousJaneMarie.com.   We're building something special and so glad you're sharing it with us. 

Relax and enjoy our pleasant, fun and useful offerings as we translate the past into the present and the present into the future.  

Love from Amelia Island,

Jane Marie

My Own Treasured Friends, 

Holidays, holidays.  Happy Holidays to all!  This time of year can be so wonderful, but stressful too if we’re not careful.  With too much to do in our everyday busy lives, the addition of gift buying, wrapping, mailing, decorating, baking, cleaning, socializing, volunteering, etc., can wear a person out. 

I suggest a plan of attack.  Begin by making lists.  (I’m a big one for lists. My computer monitor is blanketed with sticky notes.)  If we’re sensible, we can accomplish what needs to be done in a timely matter.  

And please don't worry excessively about details.  I recall worrying that the pictures in my photo album were not in exact chronological order.  It was then that my sweet husband asked, “One hundred years from now, do you honestly think anyone will care that the picture of our daughter’s dance recital was actually taken five days early?”   

The logic was clear.  From that time on, when I’m micro-managing, (formerly known as nit-picking), it hits me.  “In the great scheme of things, does what I’m worrying about make any real difference?”  Most of the time the answer is no.  Thank goodness for sensible people who know enough to point out simple solutions.  And thank goodness for the good sense to listen to them. 

So save your concerns for what is important: your family and friends.  If they have their health, give thanks.  If they are in need, say prayers.  And if you bring a smile to one face a day this season - or anytime, you’ve done something right. 

Hug the little ones every chance you can, cherish the old, and try and live graciously with those in between.  Whether you’re putting the marshmallow chimney on your gingerbread house or addressing greeting cards, make your holidays only as complex as you want them to be, not what others expect them to be.  Your restraint from excess may just demonstrate to them that less is more, a thing my wise daughter, now grown, is forever telling me. 

Happy Holidays,

Jane Marie

NEXT