Heart of the Holidays

By Sheryl Roush

Heart of a Holidays:
Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures & Traditions
Bask in the glow of winter s warmth... Heart of the Holidays celebrates the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales of friends and family, touching stories, beautiful poems, powerful quotations, and some of your favorite yuletide songs... all wrapped up and ready for you to open and enjoy.

Whatever your faith or celebration, Heart of the Holidays evokes the spirit of the season and shares the gift of joy, peace, and love.
Memories, thoughts, and insight on: Cherished Childhood Memories
New vs. Old Holiday Traditions
Food, Family, and Friends
Visiting and Travel during the Holidays
The Goodness, Gratitude and Generosity of Children
Holiday Overseas
Looking for an unusual, and inspiring holiday gift. Open Heart of the Holidays just once and you ll know you have found it.
Heart of the Holidays is the perfect holiday book for under the Christmas tree, at Hanukkah, by a warm fire with a hot cup of tea or cocoa. Get into the holiday spirit!
Heart of the Holidays celebrates the most blessed time of the year with lighthearted tales of friends and family, touching stories, beautiful poems, powerful quotations, and favorite yuletide traditions... all wrapped up and ready for you to open and enjoy. Your heart will be touched, your spirit rekindled and funny-bone tickled.
This masterpiece features 67 original short stories, 36 poems, and 193 quotations and scriptures from 71 contributors.
Chapters are dedicated to celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Yuletide Around the Globe, Winter Solstice and Ringing in the New Year.
Selections offer memories, thoughts, and insights on: cherished childhood recollections; new and old holiday traditions; food, family and friends; visiting and travel during the holidays; the goodness, gratitude and generosity of children; military celebrating Holidays overseas; and more.
Whatever your faith or celebration, Heart of the Holidays evokes the spirit of the season and shares the gift of joy, peace and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheryl Roush
• Release date: Sep 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781880878156

Sheryl Roush

A former Navy wife, and WestPac Widow, Sheryl Roush has great compassion and admiration for those who serve our country. Sheryl was twice crowned “Ms. Heart of San Diego” for her stellar contributions to battered and homeless women in her community. Today, she is the President/CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., and an 8-time business owner, with 35 years experience in communication. She works with organizations on business success to: increase intrinsic motivation; boost morale; inspire employee engagement; drive productivity; foster team spirit and personal pride; elevate customer service; generate business and client loyalty. Clients bring her on-site to address staff in their workplace, speak at association meetings, conference keynotes and breakout session, seminars, kick-off events and to facilitate retreats. Programs are high-content and highly-tailored, delivered with a motivational style and tone, creating immediate results. Clients range from associations, biotech, direct sales, education, finance, government, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, insurance and lawyers and law enforcement, manufacturing, military, real estate, retail, technology, transportation, and women in business. Her 35 years of diverse experience and expertise blends skills for communicating: in person (interpersonal, teams, leadership, interviewing) in public (speaking, training, sales presentations, media interviews, social media), and in print (sales and marketing, graphic design and advertising). Known as the Sparkle-Tude!® Expert, Sheryl is an internationally top-rated speaker, and was only the sixth woman to earn the elite Accredited Speaker designation from Toastmasters International, from 4.4 million members in 120 countries. Her keynotes, workshops and retreats rekindle the spirit, raise the bar, and create excitement. Sheryl has presented on programs alongside Olivia Newton-John, Suze Orman and Good Morning America’s Joan Lunden. She has opened conferences for Marie Osmond, and closed for Geena Davis. http://www.SparklePresentations.com http://www.HeartBookSeries.com http://www.SherylRoush.com

Book preview

of the Holidays

Yuletide Treasures & Traditions

Sheryl L. Roush

Smashwords Edition

©Copyright September 2012

Published by Sparkle Press


A division of Sparkle Presentations, Inc.


Post Office Box 2373, La Mesa, California 91943 USA

©Copyright 2007-2012 by Sheryl L. Roush

All Rights Reserved.

No pages of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Respect the copyrights of those articles submitted.

These may NOT be reprinted without the contributor’s express permission.

If brought to the attention of the author/publisher, verified credit for quotations

will be attributed in the next version.

Send contributions to [e-mail]

Subject line: Heart of the Holidays

Visit our website at: www.HeartBookSeries.com

First Printing September 2007

Library of Congress Control Number: 200790324

ISBN Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Roush, Sheryl Lynn.

Heart of the Holidays

Holiday Inspirations

Yuletide Treasures & Traditions/Sheryl L. Roush

ISBN

1. Holidays 2. Inspirational 3. Self-Help

Proudly produced in the U.S.A.

eBook production by Laura Van Tyne

Other Books by Sheryl Roush:

Heart of a Mother

Heart of a Woman

Heart of a Woman in Business

Stories, Strategies and Skills for Business Success

Heart a Military Woman

Stories and Tributes to Those Who Serve Our Country

Heart of Christmas

Corazón de Mujer

(Heart of a Woman, in Spanish with Cultural Proverbs)

Sparkle-Tudes!®

Inspirations for Creating Sparkling Attitudes

A-Z Quotations By, For and About Women

Solid Gold Newsletter Design

A How to Create Your Own Desktop Design Promotions

Printed Books with Bonus Music CD

Heart of the Holidays

Heart of a Mother

The truest holiday, or holy day is in the essence of gratitude we carry in our heart, and live in each day. Not a date on a calendar. Celebrating holidays gives us an opportunity to pause from daily to-do’s and survival to find greater meaning and significance in our life.

- Sheryl Roush

Holidays Over the Years

Thanksgiving

Then - Dad carving the hard-crusted turkey with electric knife, nibbling as he goes.

Now - Dad carving the moist, baked-in-the bag turkey, without the electric knife, still nibbling as he goes.

Then - Mom cooked up real cranberries (too lumpy for me).

Now - Sheryl brings jellied cranberry sauce with pickled beets.

Then - Never decorated the house for the fall holiday.

Now - Decorate with autumn leaves, real pumpkins, and golden garlands.

Then - Showed up in time to eat, everything was fixed by mom, departed early with leftovers in Tupperware and plastic baggies.

Now - Arrive early, set the table, bring healthy food choices to add to the menu, clear the table after the meal, and wash the fine china, stay late just to hang around and have meaningful conversations.

Christmas

Then - Frantic, last minute shopping on Christmas Eve.

Now - Carefully selecting the gifts for loved ones throughout the year.

Then - Dragged guys under the mistletoe.

Now - Avoid being dragged under the mistletoe.

Then - Dipping candy canes into hot chocolate.

Now - Dipping chocolate mint candy canes into Starbucks coffee.

Then - Ungrateful for gifts; selfish and expecting.

Now - Truly cherish and appreciate whatever is given to me.

Then - Bought fresh-cut trees, not supporting the environment.

Now - Grow my own previously potted Norfolk pine tree that is 11' tall.

Then - Tossed the tree into the dumpster after two-three weeks,

Now - Encourage neighbors to recycle their trees, instead of creating waste.

Then - Eggnog loaded with rum and sprinkled with nutmeg.

Now - Lactose-intolerant . . . sparkling apple cider.

Then - Purchasing next year’s cards the day after Christmas, usually on sale.

Now - Custom, Stampin’ Up!, thinking of each recipient, starting as early as October.

Then - Gave angels and candles for holiday gifts.

Now - Receiving angels and candles as gifts—throughout the year.

Then - Hated reading stupid letters people sent with their cards.

Now - Look forward to reading those wonderful letters from loved ones.

Then - Tossed those stupid letters people sent with their cards.

Now - Joyfully write a thoughtful letter to send out with my own cards.

Then - Ate a lot of chocolate.

Now - Giving more chocolate and sweets than I eat.

New Year’s Eve

Then - Making resolution lists easily broken in the first week.

Now - Writing out manifestation goals for the entire year.

Then - Partying all night long, waking up with hangovers.

Now - Meditation and vision boarding, and off to bed early.

Then - Looking back with disappointment over what I hadn’t done.

Now - Celebrating with deep gratitude of accomplishments, adventures, joys throughout the year.

New Year’s Day

Then - Getting up early to watch the Rose Parade with mom, shown once.

Now - Watching the broadcast of the parade any of the multitude times.

~ Sheryl Roush

Heart of the Holidays

With praise, we welcome the Holidays,

We express our love for God and man,

We celebrate each special date,

In the very best way we can.

One God . . . one world . . . for us all,

Yellow or Black or White or Brown,

Joined in spirit, mind, and heart,

Holiday Time . . . our common bond.

Thanksgiving turkeys, cranberry sauce,

Hanukkah candles, Christmas tree lights,

Ring out the Old! Ring in the New!

Heart of the Holidays . . . God’s delight!

~Virginia (Ginny) Ellis © July 2005

www.poetrybyginny.com

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Yuletide Around the Globe

Hanukkah

Winter Solstice

Ringing in the New Year

About the Author

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

The turkey is cooking; we’ve all been to church,

Our grandparents soon will arrive.

The table is set; the best linen is used,

What a grand day to be alive!

There’s a nip in the air; we’re planning on snow,

We kids have new scarves and new muffs.

The cat, a new bell—the dog, a new bow,

And the phone is ringing for us.

Hurry up, kids! Talk to great Uncle Joe,

Who lives a long ways away.

Then we’ll call Cousin Jo and dear Auntie Flo,

And wish them joy today."

Oh, something special there is in the air,

And not just good smells from the oven.

The holiday feeling is felt everywhere,

Come on, darlin,’ give Mama some huggin.’

The kitchen door opens; the food is brought in,

We kids all race to the table.

Napkins are snugly tucked ‘neath our chins,

We are hungry, willing and able.

Dad starts to carve, right after grace,

Then my brother shouts, Dibs on a leg!

Mom has a special smile on her face,

Our dog sits at Dad’s knee and begs.

Please pass the beans. Where are the yams?

Does anyone want a roll?

That turkey is almost as big as I am.

Who emptied the gravy bowl?

So the feast moves on straight to the pie,

I rub my tummy; it’s so full.

But I’m no piker—oh no—not I,

Whipped cream, if you please, a big spoonful.

So, with warmth and laughter and much good cheer,

For this day, we send thanks above.

We’re grateful we’ve all been together this year,

Thank You, Dear Lord for such love.

~Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

© 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007

www.poetrybyginny.com

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

~ Aesop

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.

Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.

Thankfulness may consist merely of words.

Gratitude is shown in acts.

~ Hendri Frederic Amiel

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

~ Melodie Beattie

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~ Melodie Beattie

Remember God’s bounty in the year.

String the pearls of his favor.

Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light!

Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!

~ Henry Ward Beecher

The unthankful heart . . . discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.

~ William Bennett, Author and politician

When you consciously choose to see the good that is already present in your life, you immediately open up the floodgates for more good to come your way.

~ Rhonda Britten

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.

~ Eileen Caddy

It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.

~ W.J Cameron

When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.

~ G.K. Chesterton

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~ Cicero

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, thank you, that would suffice.

~ Meister Eckhart

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,

to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.

~ Johannes Gaertner

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.

~ French Proverb

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

~ Kahlil Gibran

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.

~ Eric Hoffer

I’m thankful for my eyes—that I might see spectacular sunsets, lovely flowers of spring, the sweet face of a child.

I’m thankful for my ears—that I might hear the birds’ sweet songs, children’s infectious laughter, glorious music that uplifts the soul.

I’m thankful for my lips—that I might help kiss away a child’s tears, whisper words of love, share encouragement and praise.

I’m thankful for my hands—that I might help a neighbor in need, hold hands with loved ones, give a warm hug or pat on the back.

Most of all, I’m thankful for my mind—that holds all these memories—so that, when I feel sad or discouraged, I can once again recall all these wonderful gifts with which I’ve been blessed.

~ Connie Jameson

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~ John F. Kennedy

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~ Marcel Proust

If I have enjoyed the hospitality of the Host of this universe,

Who daily spreads a table in my sight, surely I cannot do less than acknowledge my dependence.

~ G.A. Johnston Ross

Giving gratitude—that spirit of thankfulness—expands our receptivity to receive, strengthens our abundance to share, and deepens our heart’s desires to give even more.

~ Sheryl Roush

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

~ Albert Schweitzer

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.

~ J.A. Shedd

No matter how miserable you are feeling, take the time to be grateful. Start with, I am thankful the sun is shining today; I am thankful I am alive; I am thankful I am not a refugee in Iraq; I am thankful I am not starving today. When you start this list in your mind, you will be surprised to see how much gratitude you feel, and it will put into perspective what is really important and you will soon find that your miserable feelings are banished.

~ Terry Sweeney

Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives.

~ Terry Lynn Taylor

Walk the world with gratitude.

~ St. John's United Church of Christ, 1975 Sermon

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

~ Henry Van Dyke

American short-story writer

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

~ William Arthur Ward

Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.

~ Jackie Windspear

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

~ Oprah Winfrey

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,

because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way