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🎄 Our Team’s Favorite Holiday Traditions 🎄 At Southwest Therapeutics, the holidays are a time for connection, celebration, and cherished traditions. Here’s what our team shared about their favorite holiday memories: ✨ Beverly: "I love spending time with family. On Christmas Eve, we drive around to look at Christmas lights, and on Christmas Day, we sit together watching Christmas movies." ✨ Belen: "On Christmas Eve, my family and I cook, watch holiday movies, and play games as we wait for noche buena, our midnight meal. After dinner, we open one present and save the rest for Christmas morning. It’s a tradition I grew up with and now share with my own family." ✨ Stacy: "Our Christmas traditions include celebrating with an Advent calendar, decorating the house with lights, and sharing gifts with each other. It’s a time of joy and togetherness." ✨ Cleo: "Growing up in the Caribbean, we celebrated '9 mornings' starting December 15th, with early morning festivities like steel band music and performances. Christmas was also the only time we got sodas—something so special for us kids!" ✨ Gloria: "We have two traditions: making tamales together as a family and the Marquez family baking tradition, where we all bake treats to share with family and friends." ✨ Valerie: "Christmas for me is all about spending quality time with my family." Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite holiday traditions? Share them with us in the comments below. 💚 #HolidayTraditions #MentalHealthMatters #SouthwestTherapeutics #HolidayWellness

A Gratitude Invitation for this Holiday Season: In spite of the madness that is decorating for the Holidays the minute sun sets on October 31st, I'm a believer that today marks the beginning of the Holiday season -- and often the accompanying busyness and stress. So instead of worrying about who-will-say-what at the Thanksgiving table, here's a list of challenges for these next few weeks -- choose one or two as you feel called. 1). I will make a gift instead of buying one. 2). I will write a meaningful note to someone who made my holidays special as a child. 3). I will take time to notice something small and hidden. I will treasure it in my heart. 4). I will listen instead of speak in conversation -- pick a day and try -- maybe for five minutes, maybe for ten. This will not just be an exercise in self-control, but in allowing someone else to feel heard. 5). I will volunteer. 6). I will attend one activity that is communal and free. Was talking to a friend about Alleluia chorus sing-alongs, which are in many local churches this time of year. 7). I will let something go. 8). I will send an anonymous gift to someone who would appreciate it. 9). I will reach out to someone who has lost someone this year. 10). I will create a space of hospitality and joy for others. Adults like to craft (raises hand) as well! 11). I will honor the need for silence in my life. 12). I will buy one inexpensive item that calls to mind something I loved as a child. 13). I will list my gratitudes in the morning or evening. 14). I will not seek perfection. I will accept people and life and the holidays as they are, imperfect, real, and the only ones we are getting this year. 15). I will take a picture of something that speaks to me of beauty in the world and share it with others. Here is mine. A perfect mushroom! Happy Thanksgiving and may your life and light be a gift to others.

🍁WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR 🎃 #Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday, it’s an opportunity to pause and reflect on what truly matters. 🍁 I just came across these image of pumpkins 🎃 symbolizing health, home, family, friends & food, it made me think about the core pillars of gratitude in our lives. I, then, took a deep dive on all these core pillars of life that we all are associated & dependent upon. Below is importance of these pillars in our life : 😇 1️⃣ #Health :- A reminder to cherish and nurture our well-being, both physical and mental. 2️⃣ #Home :- Whether it’s a place or a feeling, home grounds us and gives us stability. 3️⃣ #Family :- Those who stand by us, shaping our journey with love and support. 4️⃣ #Friends :– The chosen family that inspires, encourages, and celebrates life with us. 5️⃣ #Food :- A symbol of nourishment and the simple joys of sharing meals with loved one. 🍁 This Thanksgiving, I invite you to take a moment to reflect: What are YOU GRATEFUL for? 📍Please Share in the comments below, let’s create a ripple of gratitude across our network. 🍁 Wishing you and your loved ones a #HappyThanksgiving 🍁 🦃 🍁 LinkedIn LinkedIn Guide to Creating LinkedIn for Learning LinkedIn for Marketing #Thanksgiving2024 #GratitudeMatters #HappyThanksgiving #ThankfulHeart

Are you stepping into even more 💥stress💥 this holiday season? Or 🪫dropping dead🪫 after a tumultuous year. In this video John Mark Comer says: "The holidays present an annual invitation to slow down and savor what we value most — family, friends, the incarnation story of Jesus, and gratitude for the miraculous gift of ordinary life." https://lnkd.in/dPwAFqVZ May this holiday season be an intentional time of 🌿 rest and restoration 🌿 for you and your family, but also a time to share your blessings. What are your holiday traditions? 1. When my kids were small we often had them wrap and give away some of their many old toys, before getting to unwrap and enjoy their new Christmas gifts 🎁. 2. We have friends that lovingly put together helpful hampers for the holiday season for families that we support 🍱. 3. Or perhaps consider supporting the Daily Maverick appeal to gift Buckets of Nutrition from SA Harvest: https://lnkd.in/dBP5yerG However you tackle the holidays (or even if you're still working like me 😉) - let's be deliberate about slowing down and sharing our blessings 🙌🏼. #holidays #foodhampers #slowingdown

Honoring Loved Ones Through Holiday Traditions The holidays are often a time filled with traditions—those little rituals that bring comfort, joy, and a sense of connection to those we love. But when we're grieving, those traditions can feel bittersweet. The laughter, the decorations, the favorite foods—everything that once felt like part of their spirit can now remind us of their absence. So, do you keep old traditions alive, or do you create new ones to honor your loved one during the holidays? Maybe you light a special candle in their memory, keep their favorite dish on the table, or play their favorite holiday songs. Maybe you've found new ways to celebrate, like starting a tradition that feels more aligned with where you are in your grief journey. Both keeping old traditions and creating new ones can be powerful ways to hold onto the love you shared while also allowing yourself the space to heal and grow. Whatever feels right for you, know that it's okay to evolve and make this time of year your own, while still carrying them with you in your heart. I’d love to hear from you. Do you honor your loved one through old traditions, or have you created new ones? Share in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the unique ways we keep our loved ones' memories alive during this holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 Here are five things you can be grateful for: 1. Health: Whether it’s good physical health or the ability to improve, your body supports you every day. 2. Loved Ones: Family, friends, or anyone who brings joy and connection to your life. 3. Nature: The beauty of the natural world, from sunsets to fresh air, provides peace and inspiration. 4. Opportunities: The chances you’ve had to learn, grow, or pursue what matters to you. 5. Simple Comforts: A warm meal, a cozy place to rest, or a moment of laughter can bring great joy. Taking a moment to reflect on these today!

As the festive season approaches, it’s essential to consider the impact of our celebrations on the voiceless beings around us. While fireworks and crackers have become synonymous with celebration, they come at a heartbreaking cost to countless animals like birds, dogs, cats, and many other creatures who share our world. Animals, with their heightened senses, are especially vulnerable to the sound and light from fireworks. For them, the deafening noise of crackers is not just loud, it’s terrifying. Dogs and cats, for instance, often panic, feeling trapped and defenseless in the face of this unknown assault. Many will try to escape, darting out of homes or yards in fear, risking accidents, injuries, or even becoming permanently lost. Our beloved pets, who trust us to keep them safe, endure this suffering in silence, unable to understand the reason for the chaos. The impact on birds is just as tragic. Frightened by the loud blasts and flashes of light, they fly in panic, often crashing into windows, buildings, or trees in their desperate attempt to escape. Many do not survive these collisions, and others are left with injuries. The smoke from fireworks can also disorient birds, disrupting their natural flight paths, particularly for those who rely on clear skies to navigate. The fallout isn’t limited to one night. Days after celebrations, animals continue to experience the residual effects of trauma. Stray animals, with no refuge, are the most affected, left helpless amid the celebration that surrounds them. Let us rethink how we celebrate. Empathy costs us nothing, but it could mean the world to these voiceless beings. This year, let’s choose joy without harm. Consider alternatives that don’t endanger lives or inflict suffering. There are countless ways to celebrate with love, compassion, and respect for all creatures. Our celebrations should spread happiness, not fear. Let’s become more responsible and considerate, showing empathy for all beings, and create a tradition of celebrating without the needless loss of precious lives. #empathy #responsibe #saynotocrackers #kindness #humanity

What do you see in this picture? At first glance, I was capturing the beauty of this magnificent Christmas tree, a symbol of light and joy during the holidays. But on second look, I saw something else - someone sleeping, unnoticed by many, at the foot of this festive scene. It’s a sobering reminder that Christmas isn’t necessarily a season of happiness and warmth for everyone. While some of us gather around tables filled with laughter and love, others are simply trying to get by, fighting battles we might not see. Let’s use this season as an opportunity to be kind, patient, and mindful. Small gestures - checking in on a neighbor, lending a hand, or simply offering warmth through a smile - can make a bigger impact than we realize. No matter where or how you celebrate - whether you’re alone eating sushi in a big apartment, caring for sick loved ones, or cherishing moments with newborn children - kindness and connection can come from anywhere. Family doesn’t always mean blood relations; it can be the friends who show up, the strangers who care, or the community we build. Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with peace, love, and small steps that make a difference. Let’s share the light that this tree represents, in whatever way we can - not only during Christmas but throughout the 365 days of the year.

The holiday season is here, and for many parents—especially mothers—it’s a time of joy, wonder, and... a little (okay, a lot) of invisible labor. From planning magical traditions to ensuring everyone has their favorite dish on the table, moms often carry the mental load of making Christmas feel like Christmas. It’s not to say others aren’t helping—it’s about shining a light on the countless little things moms do to create the magic we cherish. Let’s take a moment this season to appreciate all the unseen efforts. To the moms wrapping gifts at midnight, balancing work and festive chaos, and finding the perfect little joys for their families—you are the real holiday heroes! Need advice, tips, or just a heartwarming story to get through this wonderfully chaotic time? Check out the latest posts on the Central Mass Moms blog (one written by yours truly)—a treasure trove of insights and inspiration for parents navigating everyday life and the holidays. 

The much-awaited holiday season is set to kickstart with Thanksgiving. A time to have a hearty meal with family and feel gratitude for the blessings in life and the abundance of nature’s harvest, the ancient festival of Thanksgiving dates centuries back. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, this year it’s celebrated on 28 November. Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and celebration of unity and abundance. While it started out as a harvest festival and to express gratitude to nature for abundance, it has evolved into a modern-day festival rooted in gratitude for family, health, and achievements. Here are some Thanksgiving traditions you can start: - Share gratitude: Reflect on the year and share what you're thankful for with family and friends. - Have a traditional meal: Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a traditional Thanksgiving meal. - Have a Friendsgiving: Thanksgiving is usually celebrated with family, but it's also important to give thanks with friends. Happy Thanksgiving Week #Grateful #givethanksalways #thankfulnovember #holidayseason #friendsgiving #thanksgivingweek #sharinggratitude #celebratingunity #celebratingabundance #traditions #gratefulforblessings