The Holiday Shopping List
By Jessie Korosec, ETI Marketing Manager
 
Once again, I'm going outside the box with my article because I think the message is relevant, especially this time of year.  And sometimes we need a reminder of what is important and inspiration to regroup for the coming year.

By then end of the year we are all exhausted by the demands throughout the year.  Business trips, conferences, meetings, endless emails, the non-stop ringing of the phone, and being pulled in too many different directions.  And that's only eight hours of each day (ok, more like 10-12 for some of us).  Add to that the demands in your personal life, and you've got your hands full and are probably overwhelmed by it all some days. 

This article originally appeared in an Ann Landers column in 1982 and it still rings true today.  In fact, the article cut from the newspaper has been hanging on my refrigerator for as long as I can remember.  Enjoy..

Dear Ann Landers;

Like everyone else, I am flat broke from overspending during the Holidays.  But I need to go shopping again soon because I am completely out of self-respect.  I've said something I wish I could take back, and I am not feeling too good about myself.

I also want to exchange a load of self-rightousness I picked up during the year for an equal amount of humility.  I hear it is less expensive and wears well.  And while I am at it, I am going to check on tolerance and see if there is any available in my size.

I must remember to try to match some patience with the little I have left.  My neighbor is loaded with it and it looks awfully good on her.  I was told the same department had a repair shop for mending integrity.  Mine had become frayed around the edges from too much compromising and not enough self-discipline.  If I don't get refurbished soon, there won't be any left.

I almost forgot the most important thing of all--Compassion.  If I see some, no matter what the color, size or shape, I'm going to stock up heavily, regardless of the price.  I have run out of it so many times and always feel ashamed of myself when it happens.

I don't know why it's taken me so long to get around to shopping for these items.  They don't cost nearly as much as some of the frivolous things I bought at Christmastime, and I'll get a lot more satisfaction from them.  I'm going shopping today, and I can leave my checkbook and credit cards at home.