HAPPY NEW DECADE everyone! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on this post. My Small Thing for the day so far was to give my furry boy Diego the biggest happy new year ribeye bone he could think of. The light in his little eyes was BIG! As we're all making big plans - it's nice to also know that small things done with love are often just as rewarding as the BIG deals. Enjoy the beginning of this new decade! reb

THANKS so much for all the great comments gang. And I LOVE the idea of keeping the tree up. My dad kept his tree til the 4th of July one year –then planted it in buddies front yard as a joke. Don’t think that’s the same spirit, though I agree that there are stresses that come with the holidays. Being a gal with no family to speak of (although I adore my 2nd cousins twice removed) this time of year is tough. But no matter how much stress there is – there’s so much joy. I was out shopping yesterday and everyone was SO happy. Clerks and smiling, customers are chatting with each other – even more friendly than the normal Santa Cruz banter. We GLOW during the holidays. My goal is to glow throughout this next year. 2010 is my year to SHINE. I hope ya’ll join me! XOXO and may your 2010 holidays be magical and blessed – all 365 of them! reb

THANKS much for all your comments throughout this week Tanveer. It's been interesting - some folks disagree with me, some protest that Martha really did nothing wrong..it's all a matter of perspective, which is what make life such an interesting journey! reb

A friend shared her personal experience about this post and I had to share with you. She was racing out the door to make a plane,. looking everywhere for her briefcase that she had packed late the night before. She couldnt find it anywhere (luckily her ticket was in her purse). So she grabbed her laptop and headed out to avoid missing the plane. Jumped in the car, drove to the airport and parked. When she opened her door to get her luggage, she found her briefcase. And NO luggage. She had to make the flight so she grabbed the luggage and headed out. When she called home that night - her husband asked why her luggage was sitting in her office chair - open and waiting. Ready, Fire, Aim.... Doncha love those moments:) Thanks for all your comments. We ALL can sharpen our focus, if we just SLOW DOWN a bit. Keep smilin' reb

Wow - I am humbled by your responses. Sorry it took so long for me to get out here - been an under the weather week for me. Your comments yet again show how blessed I am by friends who are my family. Some I've known for decades, some I met in the past month, but regardless - you all ROCK. Wishing a grace-filled holiday season for all of my friends who are like family. Luv n light reb

OK Gang, I'm still laughing over this. Thanks for your public comments Ed and Bret (Ed you are very much in the MINORITY, still!). For some reasons - our brains are wired differently around this image and its meaning. The count is still running Women - more than 95% see it and men, well under 30% get it. WOW - think about all the marketing and other messages we women write thinking men will 'get' them. And think of all the men who are communicating to their male audiences but perhaps missing their female counterparts. We'll never know how it works for sure, but we do know, yet again, we're just plain different! Thanks much for the comments, Tweets, emails and more! Glad ya'll had a laugh with me! reb

THANKS so much for all your kind words on this post - they mean a lot to me! Sorry it's taken me so long to get out here and comment. I've been a bit under the weather and am just now digging out. I've had the image of my Mom's porch light in my heart all this week - thinking of the warmth and love shared behind that porch light during all the holiday and other celebrations in our home. Those were oh so welcome inclusions into our lives - unlike the unwelcome intrusions we experience today. I pray we can all find a way back to that porch light - in our personal and our business communications and outreach. Thanks again for all you share! reb