How is this December day finding you?  And do you love December or dread it?  I ask because I'm completely in to the whole 12th month vibe, with its’ coldly crisp sunny days and the countdown to Christmas; yet I know too it can be stressful for so many women, with a 1001 tasks to complete, people to please and the 'day job' to fit in around it all too!  

As part of MY own Christmas preparations, you may know that I have a habit of writing ‘Love Letters to Life’ – the first collection of which came out as a book this year.  As an early Christmas gift to you, here is my ‘Letter to December’…  sent with warm festive wishes...  Click here for the letter…
 
So that is one view of December and recently a friend was sharing with me how much she dreads this time of year, as some sad things happened to her in the past, and so the advent of Advent brings it all back.   I wonder then if Christmas is a choice?  Has Christmas just ‘happened’ to that lady that dreads it and need these feelings continue for her and for us all? 
 
I know I often unconsciously look for things to throw onto the bonfire of worry and stress – in fact last year I had been quietly fretting about having my first ever Christmas without my mum (who passed away in the summer of 2012), but then, instead, I got to spend my first Christmas day ever with young children; and you know what - I saw it through their eyes, got up with them at the crack of dawn (when all the other adults were still snoozing) and just loved the whole experience; so the Universe more than compensated me for what I thought was going to be huge hole...
 
There seems to be a certain irony that though Christmas is about celebration and enjoyment, even the quietest ones seem to come with all the stresses of pleasing family and friends, as well as all the shopping, cooking, eating, socialising, writing, wrapping, and rushing around that it can so easily entail. 
 
So how about we consider that our Christmas IS a choice and we can choose a ‘Christmas with Ease’?  A Christmas created by us, ditching guilt or necessity, an experience that serves us and nurtures us, so that when we are ‘filled up’ we can do the same for those around us with love and vibrant energy?  Each of our Christmases is OUR Christmas after all, isn’t it?

As well as Christmas on the horizon, Damsels in Success has been keeping me gloriously occupied, with live events for my beautiful Burton group and new local members joining, as well as our conference - IGNITE! 2013 held last month.  As a result of IGNITE! our fabulous personal development community gained new members across the UK - as we gave great value with amazing speakers, saw many light bulb moments for our delegates, and received fabulous feedback for a life changing and inspiring 2 days.  Below is just one of the many pictures I have to prove it (for more pics, check out all the photos on Facebook, here)!

Now Christmas is nearly here, I’m extending a warm invitation to you to come along to my next Damsels in Success event, being held in Ashby de la Zouch (Leicestershire) on the evening of Wednesday 18th December.  Our theme this month, you won’t be surprised to learn, is ‘Christmas with Ease’. 

So… do you do Christmas with stress, excess or smooth success? At Damsels in Success we definitely believe in having a Christmas with Ease, so together let's celebrate, organise, enjoy… and along the way - give something back - to our world and to the world at large... 

Infused with fun, laughter and learning this will be a fabulous way to get set for Christmas – which is why we are deliberately holding it the week before, when ironically we could be tempted into doing other Christmassy things...  It is free for all first timers and all we ask is that you register your place on-line here to secure your place... 

And to make your Christmas even MORE easy, I have a special offer for you - to buy my book - Peachey Letters in a bundle with the Damsels in Success Book The F-Factor.  Together the normal combined retail price is £21.99, but MY book bundle is just £15.00 (inc postage, in the UK).  Check out all the details here and buy bundles of beautiful books for you AND for loved ones...

It's time to wind down now – I’m allowing myself space to slow down before Christmas and give myself time to smell the poinsettias...  So what ever YOUR December dreams are, here’s to them coming deliciously true…

With warm Yuletide wishes
    Sandie x
Sandra Peachey - Coach, Author and Director at Damsels in Success
Author of Peachey Letters – Love Letters to Life as featured in local press, Psychologies, The Lady & The BBC!
Winner at the 2013 ‘Women Inspiring Women’ Awards
Nominee in two categories in the ‘Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers & Consultants’ Awards, 2012 & 2013

Tel. 07921 494363
www.peacheydays.co.uk
www.peacheyletters.co.uk