IT’S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Spending time with family and friends, cooking favorite holiday dishes from my childhood and watching the faces of my children on Christmas morning when they wake to see Santa didn’t forget our house.

Those are some reasons December is one of my favorite times of the year.

I don’t even mind shopping in crowded stores or having too many holiday party obligations. I love doing all that’s involved (and there’s a lot!) to show my kids Santa is real each year, even though it’s exhausting.

And let’s not forget the Christmas Elf. OMG! If only I could remember who the first mother was that told me about that elf, I’d defriend her from my Facebook.

I guess I had too many mornings of, “Well, honey I bet he didn’t go to the North Pole because I was up and down a lot and couldn’t sleep.”

Once you have the Elf, he’s a part of the family every year. My kids can’t wait for Buddy to come alive in a few weeks. Me, not so much.

So much to juggle from here to the end of the year.

If ever there is a time where we all need to remember balance in our lives, it’s now. It takes a conscious effort and daily habits to keep us focused on what’s important during this season. Having some desserts and enjoying some of those favorite comfort foods during the holidays is great — even healthy for the soul.

Throwing in the towel all together in November and eating all junk foods with the intention to start fresh and disciplined in January is sure to make you miserable during Christmas, too. The average person gains approximately 7 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

Many struggle with loneliness and depression during the holiday season and should not be forgotten while we are busy shopping and decorating.

A beautiful baby was born on this Earth to save us all and to give us the life we don’t deserve, that he so desires us to have. He taught how to have that perfect balance in life. How simple things really are.

He was born to give us hope!

That’s why Healthy Living highlights local charities each year.

The best gift you can give to others (and yourself) is the gift of giving … to recognize and help someone who otherwise would be lost in this world … to offer hope and direction toward a better future is the most precious gift of all.

I’m thankful for the organizations that have the vision to see a need and find a way to meet that need and save a life. These organizations exist only because people give of their time and money to build strong communities. Some charities are large; some small. Find the one that best fits what is close to your heart and give yourself the best give ever … the gift of giving.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas,

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

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