Dear Melissa,

I am guilty! Yes, it happens, procrastination sets in every now and again and I allow it to get the better of me. This was due out Tuesday and it is only now coming to you. I apologize for the delay. There is no reason, and excuses are just hot air. The good news is that the holiday season is fast upon us all and we will be stretched in new and wonderful directions by family, friends, and the demands of our workplaces the next 6+ weeks. Take a deep breath and remember to exhale regularly!

The Art Full Life! My radio show on Fridays is in full swing and available for download or listening online at www.radiosandysprings.com. Check the Friday schedule at 2pm. With so many delightful holiday festivals for gift giving and receiving, you won't want to miss a broadcast. Just last week, I also had the pleasure of being a guest on Rene's Corner on WJZZ 107.5, my favorite jazz station. Rene Miller invited me in to share ways to Celebrate Your Life at the holidays.

Whimsical Wares is here! I checked out this one today and it was fun to see how the show has grown annually. Debbie Shuping used to host this art full affair in her home, but outgrew that. Many of my favorite artists were featured and I'd encourage you to check it out November 15-18 9am-4pm daily at 5473 Heyward Square Place, Marietta, GA 30068, no website yet but phone is 770-992-2811.

Live well and be festive by design!
MG

These are just a handful of my favorite holiday shows. I'll include additional listings as they come up. Inspire your life and those you love with original art for your home, at the holidays and always!

November 15-18
Big Angel Blowout
c/o Some Call It Art by the Incredible Susan Bridges
814 Edgewood Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Info: 404-688-1892
www.whitespace814.com

November 16-18
Artisan Resource Center
585 Cobb Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060
Info: 770-423-0049
www.artisanresourcecenter.com

November 20-December 24
Spruill Gallery Holiday Artist Market
4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Info: 770-394-4019
www.spruillarts.org

November 30/December 1-2
Inman Park Artists Holiday Studio Tour and Sale
1083 Austin Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30306
Info: 404-314-4883
No website

" Laugh at yourself, but don’t ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory."
~ Alan Alda
Actor and Director

Why Bigger Isn't Better!

I had a very trying experience this week with one of my usually favorite vendors, FedEx. I had brought with me an armload of manuals, books, and professional materials that needed boxing and got them into the best box, and I even snagged a single sheet of wrapping paper to prevent things from shifting about. (These days, if you need more than "trash wrap” it is going to be an investment in supplies!) I had my last preprinted air bill with me (I am a loyal account holder) and provided my package with a completed bill on it for shipping. It was when I asked for additional preprinted air bills to be ordered that I understood all to well the incredible insignificance of my business to FedEx.

The clerk behind the counter said to me "You have to call the 800 number or go online." I looked at her dumbfounded because here I was, in the flesh, with my last air bill and my account number, and yet I "had to" take other action prescribed by FedEx. To me, it made sense for her to graciously take my air bill and account number and offer to call it in or get online to do this. I know they have slow periods and downtime. Instead, I went out to my car, camped on my cell phone only to be further dismayed by the typical gargantuan company automated voice system that has never liked my voice. After a minimum of 6 prompts and connections, and two unsuccessful attempts at speaking my account number into their computer, I was reduced to (through gritted teeth) saying "REPRESENTATIVE" enough times to get through to a live being. She was delightful, quick, efficient and friendly. Now wouldn't it have made sense to have her at the counter??

I am forever amazed at how grossly impersonal gigantic companies have become and still succeed despite themselves. FedEx is not alone. They save themselves with the "REPRESENTATIVE" but what a painful journey for me, their customer, and my valuable time gone forever. I am betting they could cut back on phone personnel if they simply allowed their counter clerks to truly be customer centric in their service.

The Lesson: Never outgrow the extra mile, the personal touch, or the live experience. There is no shortcut to success for happy clients and satisfied customers.

Self Esteem Sabotage and How to Avoid It!

I've gotten to a neat place in my life, I like me. Do you like you? I asked a great friend recently, a lady that I consider to be a singularly terrific person, wildly successful entrepreneur, generous friend, loving daughter and sister, gracious hostess and much more, and she said "no." I was floored. I had another instance later in the same week with someone that protested how he couldn't stand women with low self esteem yet, several times in our conversation, he confessed that he was just a "boring" guy. Hmm, and this isn't low self esteem? Wow.

Now, I know that some of you will resist what I am about to share and request, but try it anyway. Stand in front of the mirror at least twice a day and say to that amazing reflection, "I Like You." I'd have you start out full tilt with "I love you," but some of you are going to have a tough time with just liking you. You'll giggle, blush, feel silly, shake your head in disbelief, but do it anyway. I'd also like you to create a list of at least 10 reasons you are likeable. No one else gets to see this, just you. Repeat it twice a day. I guarantee that you will feel better, warmer toward you, and more confident in 30 days if you truly stick to this regimen. You will also find yourself taking better care of you and learning the art of being grateful for compliments instead of denying them as so many do.

The next time someone says, "you look great!" Say thank you, not "no I don't" or "I'm feeling fat," or "in this old thing?" Just be gracious. You deserve it, accept it, and enjoy it. Give yourself a holiday from low self esteem and the demons it brings. You can always go back to it in January!!

Want to Spend More Money? You must be seeing red!

It's true, in the presence of red a person will spend more money, lose track of time, and eat more! Remember red tag sales, well they are red for a reason. It is the color of impulse buys and a more self indulgent mood. Certainly this makes for a festive spending mood at the holidays!

On the food front, take a look around next time you are out at an Italian, Chinese, or Mexican restaurant. There is a lot of red, and typically we eat more, spend more, and lose track of time. Pay attention when you are out and about and you'll realize just how many fast food institutions use red to great degree: Chick Filet, Arby's, Wendy's, KFC, even McDonald's.

So many dining rooms are traditionally burgundy; red with a bit of blue. (These days call it Merlot, Cabernet or even Pinot Noir for that touch of romance!) It encourages the appetite. Don't paint your kitchen red if you are on a diet. Think of icons like Big Red gum.

Red raises a person's blood pressure and energy level. It is the perfect antidote to wear if you aren't feeling well. It also explains why the lady in the red dress or man in the power tie gets more attention. A touch of red tends to create an atmosphere of agreement. It is an important tool and valuable accessory for successful selling.

Red is also an auspicious color as it is used for red-letter days. The scarlet letter was red! Use it wisely, it is powerful.