December 2016 - Vol. 2 - No. 6

 

Seasons Greetings one and all!!

It is hard to believe we are in the midst of this most joyous season of Christmas. The air is crisp and the sights and sounds are befitting the time of year. I wish for each of you to have a most Blesséd and Merry Christmas. When you have a break in all your holiday activities, grab a gingerbread cookie, a cup of hot chocolate, and the latest issue of “Theodore Talks”.

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All things music and creative!

The Greenleaf Singers (www.greenleafsingers.org) performed to sold-out crowds at the Eliot Chapel Annual Renaissance Madrigal Theatre and Christmas Rout. If you are in the area, we would love for you to join us for our Christmas Evening with the Greenleaf Singers (Friday, December 9th).

The season of Christmas would not be the same without the sights and sounds of the holidays, especially the music. For many of my church music colleagues, rehearsals and preparations have been going strong over the past several weeks as our choirs, bell ensembles, instrumental groups, etc. gear up for all things Christmas related. May we all find the NRG and fortitude amidst all the hustle and bustle of the many performances and celebrations (check out how to bridge the gap and boost your NRG and health at jander.juiceplus.com).

Keep on the lookout for something exciting to emerge in the first few months of 2017 by way of a new compositional and creative endeavor!

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Living Life to the +Plus!

We all know the holidays can put a pinch or a pound more onto our waist. Consider the following ten tips for a healthier holiday:

 

Give the gift of Affirmations!
With all the commercialism and materialism of Christmas flooding our senses, consider giving the gift of affirmations to those you know and love. Here are 16 ideas to help start you off:

• Send a Christmas card to someone who inspired you to have hope amidst hard times.

• Write a short message of hope & love on a piece of paper for each person in your family. Hide it in their lunch box, on their pillow or in their wallet.

• Call someone on his or her birthday and sing “Happy Birthday.”

• Text friends and family members inspirational quotes.

• Send a picture to someone by e-mail, Facebook, snail-mail, or tweet, remembering a shared experience.

• Occasionally “poke” a Facebook friend you have not seen for a while.

• Send someone a birthday card with three reasons why you appreciate him or her.

• Write a handwritten note to a person, giving thanks for their friendship.

• Deliver a loaf of freshly baked bread to a friend.

• Make a donation to a cause in honor of someone.

• Send a person a prayer stone to carry as a reminder that you are praying for him or her throughout the day.

• Offer a morning prayer and blessing to each family member.

• Take time during meals to affirm friends and family.

• Provide unexpected treats or token gifts that recognize a person’s uniqueness.

• When appropriate, offer hugs and appropriate expressions of affection.

• Tell your kids daily, “I love you... l am proud of you ...  My hopes for you are…”


(Affirmations found in “Tool 3” from Surface to Soul, by Jim Ladoux)

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Past issues are available on my website at: "Theodore Talks" - A Newsletter

If you know of anyone who would like to receive this newsletter, let me know and I can add their information to the list or you can send them to the contact/subscription page of my website: www.theodorejander.com/?page_id=40

Blessings to each of you!