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December 19, 2013
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ Dalai Lama
With the New Year just around the corner, I thought this would be a great time to share 12 ways you can boost your happiness in 2014–both for yourself and for others.
- Compliment others. Make a point of giving one compliment a day to someone. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful that feels (for both of you!)
- Surprise someone. Cook up a batch of cookies and drop them off at your local post office. At this time of year, postal workers are overloaded and will welcome the sweet (and thoughtful) treat.
- Go outside! A study from The University of Sussex found that being outdoors made people happier. And if you really want to get the most out of the weather, keep an eye on the temperature. According research from The American Meteorological Society, happiness is maximized at 13.9 degrees celcius.
- Get some sleep. Studies have found that having a more positive outlook on life is directly linked to improved sleep quality—so be sure to get enough ZZZZs!
- Practice gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal and write down at least three things you are grateful for every day. Or skip the pen and paper and use a gratitude app. I use Gratitude 365 and I love it!
- Take care of your body. There is a ton of research out there to prove the claim that exercise is tied to happiness. That release of endorphins during physical activity does the trick!
- Pay it forward. At a drive-thru coffee shop pay for the order of the next person in line.
- Stay in touch. Make time for family and friends. Sure, we’re all busy, but some of the top five regrets people have when look back at their life is that they wish they had worked less and stayed in touch with friends. Coincidentally, on that list is this: “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”
- Volunteer. Selflessly helping others is a great way to feel good inside—literally! Performing acts of kindness releases serotonin in your brain – which makes us feel more blissful.
- Smile! It’s really difficult to be unhappy when you’re smiling – plus it’s contagious.
- Be in the moment. Make time in the day to stop and breathe. There’s even an app to get you started.
- Recognize! Whether for personal or for business, create a monthly routine where you send out a positive message to a friend weekly or a small gift to one business advocate each month. In your message be specific about why you appreciate their support.
I stumbled across this quote by author Dan Millman recently and thought I think it does a great job of uncovering some of the mystery people have about how to be happy. The fact that happiness doesn’t “find you,” – it’s something you create for yourself through your own actions.
“I’d always believed that a life of quality, enjoyment, and wisdom were my human birthright and would be automatically bestowed upon me as time passed. I never suspected that I would have to learn how to live – there were specific disciplines and ways of seeing the world I had to master before I could awaken to a simple, happy, uncomplicated life.”
Wishing you a very HAPPY and prosperous New Year!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged new year, happiness
December 11, 2013
A wonderful vinegar to use as a dressing for salads, this vinegar makes a great hostess gift when presented in a glass jar.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 pounds over-ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped
- 3 cups of white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
DIRECTIONS
Step 1
Bring peaches, vinegar and honey to a simmer in a large saucepan. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cover and let cool completely.
Step 2
Working in batches, puree peach mixture in a food processor until smooth–about 10 seconds. Strain through fine sieve into a large nonreactive bowl. Line sieve with cheesecloth, and place over another large nonreactive bowl. Pour strained peach mixture into sieve. Do not press solids into the sieve. Cover with plastic wrap and let set in fridge overnight (or up to 2 days).
Step 3
Uncover and remove sieve from bowl. Discard solids. Pour peach vinegar int a resealable nonreactive jar or bottle. (Mason jars work great!).
Vinegar can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.
*originally posted on MarthaStewart.com
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Posted by Margaret Page in Etiquette Edge
December 11, 2013
When invited to a party, your first thought (after “what shall I wear”) is probably, “What should I bring?”
Remember it really is the thought that counts. The gift doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate, if you want to make an impression, give it some thought. Be creative!
Here are a few gift ideas and tips that might help get you started:
- Give them a gift that they can use at their next party. Things like cocktail napkins, wine charms, or a party game will come in handy the next time they invite people over.
- Put the dry ingredients for your favorite savory soup into a mason jar. Add a festive ribbon at the top (and be sure to include recipe!)
- There are some great coffee mugs nowadays. Pick up some hot chocolate and arrange in a pretty mug. Add a chocolate spoon and a ribbon and you’re set!
- A spin on the hot chocolate: In a large mug, put a couple packets of hot apple cider mix, wrap it up in a festive cloth napkin and tie two cinnamon sticks to it.
- Measuring spoons, on their own, are not festive, but they do tend to be the first kitchen utensil to disappear. I once received this gift and it was very clever: Put some dry spices in a tea towel and tie it up with measuring spoons. Voila!
- A cheese board, with an assortment of gourmet cheeses, makes a very useful (and yummy) gift.
- Put together a plate of homemade cookies wrapped in colorful cellophane, with the cookie recipe attached with a pretty ribbon.
- A homemade quick bread makes a very thoughtful gift.
- Pick up a bag of specialty teas and wrap it up with this a unique tea canister. I found this one online and it’s just beautiful (and inexpensive!)
- Make your own fruit infused vinegar and decant in a pretty bottle. Go here for the recipe.
One of the best ways to ensure you are ready for a last minute party invite is to pick up small items throughout the year.
Do you have ideas you’d like to share? Add them in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged hostess gift etiquette
November 21, 2013
It’s a great time of year to take to the open seas! When you embark on a cruise vacation, don’t forget to pack your manners!
Before you step on board, here are a few cruise etiquette tips to help you — and your fellow shipmates– avoid rocky seas.
Be courteous
You are on a floating hotel, with thousands of people for a week. This is the time to really roll out the manners. If for example, there’s a line at the elevator, take the stairs. When in your cabin, keep your voice down. The walls are thin and your neighbors can hear you! If you are a slow walker, move to the side of the narrow hallway to let others pass by—especially if it’s a rocky night at sea!
Follow the dress code
Check the dress code so you don’t make fashion faux pas. Refer to your ship’s daily program for appropriate attire for the evening’s activities. Many cruise ships have formal nights and on other nights, after 6 pm, many of the ships have specific recommendations on appropriate attire for the evening.
Example: jeans or cutoff shorts are not likely to be appropriate attire in the main dining rooms in the evening. The dress code information for each cruise line is typically available on their website so it’s best to check before you pack so you’re not stuck for something to wear!
Don’t overindulge
Most food, and sometimes alcohol, is already paid for and so it can be easy to overindulge, especially since you’re in vacation mode! Remember that too much food or alcohol can enhance the effects of rocky seas and it would be no fun at all to spend your vacation recovering in your cabin. Additionally, the floors on the ship can become slippery and you wouldn’t want to risk a fall.
Don’t be a seat saver
Saving the lounge chairs by the pool is a no-no in cruise culture, and yet I see it happening every time I take a cruise. Just because you’re the early bird, doesn’t mean it’s polite to pile your towels and sunscreen on a chair and then skedaddle to breakfast. If you’re not using the chair, be polite and leave it available for others.
Keep and eye on your children
If you’re on a family cruise vacation, remember that it’s not going to be a vacation from parenting. Most cruise lines have wonderful children’s programs that allow the parents a few hours of fun in the sun while the kids are safe at play. When not under the supervision of the cruise crew, be sure to keep an eye on your kids so that they are safe. Not only is it unsafe for them to have full reign of the ship, it can disrupt the enjoyment of the other passengers on ship.
Wait your turn
Disembarking the ship when you are at a port of call can be downright frustrating. Everyone wants to get in as much time as they can during the short time ashore. Be patient. It’s all part of the journey, so you may as well just breathe and enjoy it.
Arrive on time
Speaking of disembarking, if you leave the ship when it’s at a port of call, be wary of the time. The ship WILL leave port on time. You don’t want to be that couple that are running down the boardwalk as the ship is pulling away from the dock.
Know what to tip
All ships have their own policies, so be sure you review these before you leave the house. A good rule of thumb is to tip each person who has helped you on the ship – and it’s per person, not per cabin
And don’t forget the three “C’s at sea: Let consideration, courtesy and civility guide you on your journey!
Safe travels!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged cruise ship etiquette, travel etiquette
November 18, 2013
The spirit of service is a truly transformational force in the world – and the spirit of gratitude is a very powerful way to amplify it.
I learned so much about this by watching the ways of a charming lady named Kathryne Holmes. She was elderly by the time I met her, yet always made the effort to attend our Toastmasters conferences and events. Although she wasn’t part of our leadership team, per se, she definitely was a world-class leader – in the art of expressing gratitude.
Every single time I crossed paths with Kathryne, she made a point to stop what she was doing, look me in the eye, share a warm smile, and thank me for my service and contribution to the organization.
Kathryne thanked people wherever she went, for whatever they did – large or small. And whenever she did, people could feel her genuine gratitude. It rang out through the tone of her voice; it shined through her smile and the sparkle in her eyes. And people were always so touched by this; they felt different afterward.
That’s the heart of gratitude – it makes people feel different. It energizes us; it lights up our hearts; and it inspires us to want to do more!
When someone thanks us for our efforts, they make it so much easier to contribute again. And the more joy and warmth they express, the more honored and appreciated and inspired we feel.
Appreciation doesn’t just flow from one person to the other… it flows through both people and out into the world, investing positive energy into their spirits, and therefore, their efforts.
Saying thank you gives people a little push to continue performing or behaving in a way that is worthy of acknowledgment. It creates an eagerness to show up at our best – and that eagerness is highly contagious! So even the simplest “thank you!” makes waves that reach and influence an unknowable number of people.
Kathryne has since passed on, but I will always be grateful for the way she modeled the practice of expressing gratitude to others. Until I saw her in action, I never realized how a simple expression of appreciation can become such a powerful force in the world. It is an agent of change, and a powerful tool to mobilize the best in people.
In the Olympics, the difference between good and great is just a fraction of a second… but in life, the difference between good and great might just be an expression of gratitude.
Something to consider:
This past year was probably my busiest one yet. As the leader of a 6,000 member organization (Toastmasters District 21), I was constantly on the go, juggling far more than ever before.
Along the way, I witnessed SO many people contributing their efforts and insights and time – and doing so wholeheartedly! I was touched to the point of feeling reverence.
And yet, when we’re at our busiest, it can be very challenging to slow down enough to offer some heartfelt acknowledgment, or to be consistent in doing so. But it is always time well spent – and much easier than suffering the regret of missing the opportunity.
I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately, because it pains me to think that I failed to thank some people as directly and sincerely as they deserved. If I could, I would call each and every person who contributed along the way, to thank them not only for their actions but also for their supportive spirit.
Although I can’t make thousands of phone calls, I can honour their contributions with a commitment to the spirit of gratitude.
I sincerely hope you will join me in this practice.
Margaret Page
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Posted by Margaret Page in A Page of Insight
November 15, 2013
Every time you go to a social event, think of it as a networking experience. Right Management reports that 46 percent of respondents found jobs in 2012 through networking. That’s more than Internet job boards, agencies/recruiters and newspaper classifieds combined. You don’t need to carry a resume and portfolio with you everywhere you go, however—a simple business card will do. What you put on that business card will help you get from the introduction to the next step: the interview.
White Space on Business Cards
Leave enough white space on your card so recipients can make notes about you, or so you can make notes to help them remember you. In the same vein, choose a paper stock that’s easy to write on—a highly glossy stock isn’t very friendly to pens or ink.
Your Contact Information
Aside from the obvious name, phone and email address, consider what else you want people to know. If you have well-built LinkedIn, Google Plus and Twitter profiles, include those, but leave off personal Facebook and Twitter accounts that you use to connect with your friends.
If it applies, include a link to a website or blog where you’ve posted your resume and a portfolio of your work. Make sure your site features a professional photo of you, which will help your contacts remember you.
Vanity Calling Cards
Business cards with your photo are overkill. Don’t do this unless you are in the performing arts. When your contacts visit your LinkedIn or other social pages, they’ll see your image.
QR Codes
Marketingland.com agrees: QR codes are a thing of the past. These are quick-response codes that smartphones scan and take users to websites, email addresses or any URL you connect it to. Think about it—when was the last time you scanned one? Use this space for valuable information.
Tag Lines
Just like a business uses a tagline to give the reader more information about what it does, create one to describe and remind contacts who you are and what you do: journalist, financial analyst, accountant, software engineer. Whatever your career’s keywords are, work those in this area.
Design Tips
Keep it simple, unless you are a graphic designer and want to show off your skills (and even then, use a light hand). If you use both sides of the cards, do so sparingly. Leave the back side as open as possible for that white space mentioned in the first tip. This would be a good place for your tagline.
Stay away from script fonts and use colors and fonts that are easy to read. Find an online printing service that makes it easy to design your own card and turns them around quickly. Save the money you’d pay a designer and put it toward your interview suit.
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged business etiquette
November 9, 2013
“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.”
~ Robert Caspar Lintner, early 20th-century writer
This quote get bounced around the Internet at this time of year and serves as a reminder that being grateful isn’t something confined to the holiday season. Whether you celebrated a Canadian Thanksgiving last month, or gearing up for the busy season that launches with the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, you know that this is the time of year when being thankful is a hot topic at the dinner table.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters
October 24, 2013
As rainy days become more prevalent this time of year, I thought this might be a good time to give everyone a few umbrella etiquette tips.
One of the most important things to remember when using an umbrella is that carrying one on a rainy day expands your personal space. Knowing this, follow these tips:
- Save your oversized umbrellas for the golf course and choose an average-sized umbrella instead.
- When passing someone on the sidewalk, adjust your umbrella for height. Using the “duck n’ lift” approach: taller person raises, shorter person takes the low road.
- Always be aware of those around you while using an umbrella so you don’t inadvertently poke the tall man who is walking behind you. And on that note—get rid of any umbrella that has exposed spokes.
Hold on tight
If the wind is blowing, hold on tight to your umbrella. Not only do you want to save it from blowing away, you also want to be sure you don’t injure the person walking next to you.
Keep your head up!
This seems very obvious (to me, anyway), but make sure you’re paying attention to where you’re walking while carrying an umbrella. If you’re busy texting, tweeting or emailing on your smartphone, you’re not paying attention to your surroundings. And as they say “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye!” Save your messages until you’re safely at your destination.
Awnings are off limits
If you have an umbrella with you on a rainy day, be courteous. Walk outside the awnings, or on the other side of the street, to make sure there’s room for those without umbrellas can stay a little bit dryer.
Shake it Off
When going into a dry area, such as a restaurant or lobby, tap your umbrella against the ground or on the edge of the building to shake off the rain before taking it inside. Be mindful not to splatter the people walking by.
Store carefully
If you’re taking your umbrella on the bus or the train, consider bringing along a plastic bag to store your closed, wet umbrella in. Barring that, store it on the floor, not on the seat next to you.
When entering a building, leave your closed umbrella close to the door if possible. Many restaurants have umbrella stands for guests.
No swinging allowed
If you’ve brought along a “just in case it rains today” umbrella and you’re walking with it, hold the closed umbrella vertical, not tucked under your arm. And refrain from swinging it around or side to side as you walk (yes, I’ve seen grown adults ‘playing’ with their umbrellas while they walk!). A closed umbrella is traditionally held like a walking cane.
When the skies open up, don’t be THAT guy! Use common sense and be an aware umbrella user.
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged umbrella etiquette
October 15, 2013
No matter whom you are or what you do, there are days when life just grabs you by the throat and screams, PAY ATTENTION!
I had one of those days recently. It’s no exaggeration to say that I barely escaped a brush with death. As dramatic as that may sound, I want to share much more than the story with you… because the best part of this experience arrived long after the dust settled.
It started a few weeks ago…
I was travelling along the highway at about 80km/hour, following behind a big-rig truck with a backhoe loaded on it.
Suddenly, I heard a tremendous noise – and in the blink of an eye, huge chunks of metal and cement came flying at me!
The truck and its load were too tall for the overpass. The backhoe had collided with a bridge and they both shattered into pieces.
In an instant, I felt like I was in a movie! Debris was flying in every direction… and in the next moment, my windshield was splattered with greasy hydraulic fluid. I flipped on the wipers but they just smeared the grease around. I couldn’t see ahead!
A glance in my rear-view mirror told me that cars were fast approaching from behind, so I didn’t dare stomp on the brakes. But what was going on ahead of me?
Had the truck stopped? Were there chunks of backhoe and bridge in my path? I had no way to tell!
Only my angels know how I made it from the center lane to the side of the highway without the benefit of sight. Fortunately, no one was injured in the chaos. Whew! (My poor car is another story… but that’s not the story I really care about.)
In the hours and days that followed, you might say I entered into an altered state of consciousness. Not the intoxicated kind, but a surreal one… a time of heightened insight.
Once the shock wore off, I felt incredibly blessed to be alive! I was acutely aware of the fragility of life, and that it can vanish in a heartbeat. No one knows how much time we have left, so no day is “just another day”… every single one is special.
I thought about the ritual I share with my eight-year-old grandson, where we list three things we’re grateful for at the end of the day, and I felt my sense of gratitude swell like never before.
To share just a few of the countless thoughts I had:
- I am grateful to see the sparkle in my grandsons’ eyes, and savour their light and expressiveness…
- And I am grateful to have my daughter and her family within driving distance; and a son who lives close to my heart.
- I am blessed to have my mother still with me, after all these years; and to genuinely enjoy my relationships with my sister, brothers, cousins and other family members.
- I am grateful to live in a home that delivers “living art” outside my window every day.
- And I’m absolutely thrilled with the fascinating and heartwarming people I share my life with.
- I am deeply grateful for my love of reading and the wisdom of the authors whose writing I absorb.
- And I am delighted with my sharp senses, which flood my experiences with color and flavor and feeling.
- And – lucky me! – I am blessed with a strong, healthy, pain-free body that lets me explore and enjoy the world every day.
But most of all, I am grateful for my ever-present sense of gratitude, which enriches my life with a deep sense of meaning and appreciation.
Because without that… you don’t have much at all!
Something to consider:
Gratitude is like an internal muscle. We have to exercise it in order to feel its power. And when we do… well, it can transform any moment from dull to spectacular.
One of my favourite ways to elevate my sense of gratitude is an app! There are dozens of them available; I check in with the Gratitude Journal (for iPhone) every day. Try it; you’ll be amazed at how easily this simple practice will change your life for the better.
When it comes to thinking about what you’re grateful for, Tim Saunders (in his book, Today We Are Rich) takes the POET approach: People, Opportunities, Experiences and Things. He wrote,
I put People first because taking note of their greatness in your life feeds your confidence in others. I put Things last because they cause us to focus on material items that can either be in short supply or be taken away entirely.
What a genius way to think about our blessings!
Gratitude is the only way to feel rich. And there are so many elements that enrich our lives! So I invite you to take a few minutes to assess your life’s *real* net worth.
People: ____________________________________________
Opportunities: ______________________________________
Experiences: ________________________________________
Things: ____________________________________________
See? There’s POETry in all of us! And the more we reflect on it, the more poetic life becomes.
Margaret Page
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Posted by Margaret Page in A Page of Insight
October 15, 2013
With the holiday season fast approaching, we thought this was the perfect time to share some tips on how to address your holiday cards – to ensure they arrive safe and sound!
Canadian Addresses
When addressing an envelope for a Canadian address, here are some tips from Canada Post:
- Put information, such as title, floor, etc. above the street address
- Put a hyphen between unit / suite / apartment number and the street number
- The city, province and Postal Code go on one line
- Put two spaces between the Postal Code and the province
MARY SMITH
SALES DEPARTMEN
11-345 FIRST ST NE
VANCOUVER BC N3Z 2T6
American Addresses
When addressing a card to be sent to an address in the United States, keep these tips in mind:
- City names must be spelled out in full
- Put just one space between city and state, but two spaces between the zip code and the state
- Use the two-character state abbreviation (rather than writing it out in full)
- ZIP Codes are either five or nine digits. If it’s a nine-digit ZIP Code, put a hyphen between the fifth and sixth numbers.
JANET GREEN
243 HIGHLAND AVE
NEWTOWN GA 12345-6789
USA
International Addressing Tips
The full address, including full country name must be included when sending mail internationally. The country name appears on its own line after ZIP or Postal Code, is written in full and in capital letters.
Example: UNITED KINGDOM, not UK.
Return Addresses
Return addresses are formatted the exact same way as the destination address. Place the return address in the top left corner of the envelope or parcel, or on the back of the item at the very top.
When addressing your holiday cards, keep this one simple thing in mind: Make sure the destination address is clear. If you’re printing address labels, stay away from fancy fonts. Choose at least a 10-point type, but keep it simple. Use white labels, with black ink.
And as a last reminder: One of the most common mistakes people make when addressing a card to a family is the use of apostrophes. When addressing an envelope, the proper way to write the family name is in plural format.
Example:
The Morrison’s (incorrect)
The Morrisons (correct
Get ready – the holidays are coming up quick!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ Dalai Lama
