Santa Claus



“There’s a part of me that really does want to always believe in Santa Claus. But when we were kids, we didn’t get that much. I remember one time, we said, ‘We didn’t see Santa Claus.’ We’d waited for him. Daddy said, ‘Oh, hell. We live so far back in these mountains, he can’t find us back here. I’m sure he’d have a load of stuff if he’d have known where to bring them.’” She laughs. “But I believe there’s always hope. That’s what I’ve learned. You can always be given hope. Dreams.”

Dolly leans forward, unspooling her legs. “And if he don’t show up, you just figure, like Daddy said, it’s because we live so far back and we didn’t have no lights.”

“I do believe,” she says, her tone turning serious. She looks me square in the eyes, and her soft, whispery vibrato fills the room.

I believe in Santa Claus,

and I’ll tell you why I do

’Cause I believe that dreams and plans 

and wishes can come true. 

-Dolly Parton

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Helping Hand

When I was struggling with my mental health, it was difficult to find a therapist. If it was hard for me — someone who has the means — I knew it was a huge problem in the Black community,” she tells InStyle. “I wanted to get people talking, and that’s why we started the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation [named after her father, in 2018]. Too often we have normalized trauma, and I wanted to create an outlet for those who are struggling.”

Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging”, as I know each of these pieces represents something…

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White Elephant

Charge you funnest relative with auctioning of wrapped prizes. Everyone goes home with something, and the money goes toward the chairty of your family choice.

Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…

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Reflections on Holidays

Christmas is for children. But it is for grownups too. Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide bound hearts.” — Lenora Mattingly Weber

It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future… It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. — Agnes Pharo

This is what holidays, travels, vacations are about. It is not really rest or even leisure we chase. We strain to renew our capacity for wonder to shock ourselves into astonishment once again.” – Shana Alexander

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What to do with No

When “no” is the status quo “In sex and relationships, no means no — always. But in business, when faced with a ‘no,’ we apply our company value to the problem: ‘Challenge the status quo with love.’ There is likely a logical reason for the rejection or refusal, so I open a dialogue. It’s important to understand the barriers. With each situation, I gather as much information as I can, weigh the pros and cons, and decide whether to persist. Progress is about compassion and balance -Soumyadip Rakshit

 When ‘no’ is a gift. — “The first ‘no’ is good enough for me! Persistence is a ridiculously overrated attribute in American culture—probably more harmful than virtuous overall. It’s much more rewarding to spend my time getting someone from slightly excited to ridiculously excited than trying to reverse a rejection. Consider that first ‘no’ a gift; you don’t have to waste more time. No? Great, next!” -Phil Libin

When “no” mean hu? Do you want to buy insoles. Every time we asked our friends – 25–35-year-old New Yorkers – they said “no.” Insoles are associated with medical issues ad old people. But when we asked, “Do you have foot or back pain?” 80% said, yes. Our next question was “Did you know proper arch support relieves pain across your whole body?” They were intrigued. More often than not, we’ve found the “noes” are another way of saying “I don’t fully understand” – Libie Motchan

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