Being Grateful for What We Have by Doug Mayberry on Creators.com

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Being Grateful for What We Have

Q: This year, we are frustrated and don't know if we can afford buying gifts for everyone on our holiday list. We simply do not have the money to buy gifts. We do not want to throw a wet blanket on our families' happiness, and we fear telling them we cannot buy presents this year. How can we best share our love and gratefulness for them?

A: In today's economy, you do need not feel embarrassed or worried about your families' holiday gift expectations. You and your families' goal is not to focus on what you want, but to be grateful for what you have.

What is most important is to continue to express your love, your commitment to your family and moving forward through these hard times.

Try sending a handwritten card to family and friends that expresses how important and how much their love and friendship means to you. Detail, in a short paragraph, a specific incident where they made a difference for you. Share some of your homemade candy or cookies. Pledge a few hours of volunteer time with a family member at a favorite charity or animal rescue organization. Offer to baby sit a grandchild. Pass along one of your favorite books or photos, or other goodwill actions.

Write a few lines of gratitude to your doctor, nurse or caretakers who make a difference in your life. Make a special effort to smile and thank your supermarket cashiers, retail clerks and others who are probably stressed out themselves.

A happy, smiling face and thoughtful comments often outshines a gift. Telling a supervisor how lucky they are to have a helpful employee gives everyone a boost.

Politicians, homeowner board members and others who are attempting to make our lives better also deserve a thank you. The work they do is not always easy, and working to compromise and get things done benefits us all.

Q: We are fearful as our home value and stock investments still continue downward. We do not know what to do, nor do our advisors. Should we remain confident that things will get better and hold on to what we own or take action? Several of our friends have elected to sell all their stocks and hold their assets in cash. What should we do?

A: Life is always a risk/reward issue. As international volatility and uncertainty abound, we are all on our own. Advisors continue to recommend that we should not hold all of our assets in one basket or make any other choices that are questionable possibilities.

Historically, what is now happening does not guarantee a successful future. Wisdom and reasoning are not defensible. Everyone is in a different situation. Your age, health, family situation, current assets, self-discipline and tax factors need to be evaluated before making changes. One truth is that if you are over 70, that kidnappers are not very interested in you!

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.