I have just spent over an hour deleting emails for ‘Cyber Monday’! I delight now to take a moment to step away from all the screaming sales and chat with you!

I find it disturbing, all the noise around saving money, saving time, pick my store, buy between 1:04 a.m. and 3:07 a.m. for the best deals. Ah, it goes on and on!

What interests me is this – IF stores and on-line can afford to slash their prices so much in these few hours – to lure us into buying, why can’t they reduce their prices to sell as much during the remaining 310 days of the year? Sorry, I just don’t get it!

And why do we wait until they have blasted us for the 45 or so days leading to Black Friday and Cyber Monday to patronize their stores or websites? Have we empowered the commercial market to entice us in this way? Or – have they brainwashed us by these few extraordinary shopping ‘savings’ to draw us into something more? I know not which it is!

Here are the questions I ask myself as I peruse the magnitude of screaming sales…IF you are tempted to make this purchase, Coach, would you purchase it if it were not on sale? IF you decide to release your dollars to the sales person, are you making an investment? Is this a ‘want’ or a ‘need’? Set it down – walk around – go back to it. Now that my mind is quiet, I can take another look to see the answers to my questions: Yes, I would make this purchase if it weren’t on sale. Or, no, the only reason I am considering it is because of the price. Yes, it is an investment (you can answer this even it if is a gift – you may be investing in love, friendship, support, etc.). Or, no, I don’t see the value-added in this purchase. Yes, it is a ‘want’ (or ‘need’). Or I’m not really sure which it is. Finally, is this purchase an instant gratification or something that will bring joy long past the season?

Will I buy on this Cyber Monday? Perhaps, perhaps not! I do know that what I choose to spend my money energy on will be without later regrets, with a quiet mind and without anyone or any ads screaming at me.

I encourage you to step away, get some air, quiet your mind.
In doing so, I hope your Cyber Monday will be as peaceful and joyful as mine.

This is the time of year when many people take a moment to reflect, a moment of grace and gratitude. I am grateful that I live in America. I think that is forefront on my mind now, with the horrific events that plague our world.

I live in Colorado Springs – a very military town – and I am even more aware of the brave men and women who protect our borders. They serve us, not only in the United States, but also leave home and risk their lives for those who live in countries in crisis.

I am grateful that my niece and nephew-in-law were safe from the terror in Paris. They had just returned from their honeymoon in France. I pray the people of France remain vigilant and strong as they mourn the loss of so many innocent lives.

I give thanks for my family. From my 94 year old Mother, who is in overall wonderful health, to my newborn great-grand daughter, only 1 day old. I am blessed with an incredible family of caring, loving, supporting and giving family of sisters, sons, grand-children, nieces and nephews and the devoted extended family each of them has brought into our family unit – into our circle of love. We feel the loss of our Dad – the patriarch and the one by whom all of us continue to ask the question: What would Dad (or Grandpa) do? We miss our beloved little sister, Lori. We gave her back to the Lord much too soon for our liking. She inspired us with her talents and love of life and I know we all talk with her often through our prayers. And Dan, my dearly loved brother-in-law, who was the big brother I never had.

My best friend and roommate of over 25 years is my daily inspiration and motivation. She is my business partner; she keeps me on track and pretty much out of trouble! She is my shoulder to cry on and my fun-buddy.

I am blessed with good health, a safe home and a supportive community. I have a good education and am retired from a corporate job that taught me so much. I have friends to support me in my life and dreams.

A time of gratitude. A time of thankfulness. A time of quiet reflection and appreciation for blessings. And a time for one request – peace in your heart and in our world.