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 Maria DiGiorgio is a lifelong New Yorker, who currently resides in Commack, with her family. She is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Maria is active in her community, as a PTA mom and Girl Scout leader. She has a passion for interior decorating and loves to garden. She is an avid reader, and enjoys writing about life experiences and parenthood, as well as her personal observations about the world around us. |
| At this time of year, when holidays abound, many people look to embrace the glee and the celebration of life, family, love, and tradition. For many others, there is a painful reminder of loss, fear of the unknown (when looking ahead to the new year), and trepidation, in general, as they approach the uncertainty of each new day. Our world is a deeply troubled one. Our spirits reflect this on a day-to-day basis. We struggle with all kinds of issues, and this struggle can wear away at our resolve to live peacefully, mindfully and with comfort and joy. We may wish to incorporate these ideals into our daily existence, but the weight of our worries and the turmoil we may be feeling, is likely to overshadow our instincts. One way to counteract this sense of negativity is to combat it with a strong sense of purpose. Having a clear and attainable goal is paramount in this endeavor. We all too often fall victim to the pressures this time of year brings, the unrealistic expectations, the financial burdens, and so on. We need to take a few moments each and everyday, to stop, breathe deeply and assert a specific goal we would like to accomplish, for just that day, and no other. For instance, if we know we would like to enjoy the company of friends or family, then we commit to doing that, for just that particular day. We arrange an outing to a favorite place for dinner, coffee or shopping. We make a concerted effort to be present in the moments we share and to mindfully embrace the joy and comfort we feel throughout our time together. We allow ourselves to savor these precious moments as they unfold and as they become sweet and treasured memories. With each day, we resolve to set a new and attainable goal. By doing so, we are forced to take inventory of the things that matter most to us. With successful completion of our goals, we develop a personal confidence and sense of inner peace, which in turn, enables us to further combat the frantic pace of the holiday season and to truly be present, (mindful) in the process. Our newfound serenity will naturally flow into our daily lives and the lives of those around us. We will be astounded by the amount of joy we can cultivate and the delight we can derive from a time of year that can be so counterintuitive to what it is truly all about! Through mindfulness practices, we can create lives of great purpose, while we live with true intention. We can help ourselves, and through our example, help others, to live with greater peace and joy all year long, not just during the holiday season. Make this year the year you begin to take back control over your happiness, your quality of living and your destiny. Give yourself and your loved ones a gift that will enrich us all, in untold ways. “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present.” |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 