cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ oprah winfrey

bonjour and welcome to 2009! this is our chance to get it right, start anew, and make some changes. the possibilities are endless. a new beginning is offered every day, not just january 1. each morning you are given a fresh canvas on which to paint. you choose the paint colors, the strokes, the pace, and the other players. your life is a constantly evolving work of art. create your new year consciously through reflection, intention, and action.

Holiday gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. — Oren Arnold

The holidays are in full bloom: festive tunes play everywhere, lights are on display, and Santa look-alikes welcome holiday shoppers. Now is the perfect time to reflect on the reason for this special season, and to set an intention for the holidays. Just as we start our yoga practice with an intention, start your holidays with one: think of a person or cause to send love to, ponder a quality you wish to cultivate, or an action you wish to take. Rather than approaching the season with an exhausted list of to-dos, let this year be different. Light a peppermint-scented candle, draw a bath full of epsom salts, and play some of your fave holiday tunes. Take some time before the rush overcomes you to reflect on the year and honor this season of giving through these five holiday tips for tranquility:

To read more of Kimberly Wilson’s Hip Tranquil Chick: Five Holiday Tips For Tranquility.