Hard to believe this year is ending and a new decade is ahead. Is it possible that there will be clear vision in the upcoming year? We live in a tumultuous time. Will the country pull together in 2020? It is very hard to see how divided our country is right now. I hope that things change and that the children of the 20’s feel more united.

I hope that we will all be humming this Johnny Nash song:

“I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day… I think I can make it now the pain is gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared. Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day. Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies. Look straight ahead there’s nothing but blue skies. I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It’s gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day….”

Wouldn’t that be great? How do we get here? One needs to pay attention. Leave space for change. Step out of line for what you believe in.

My hope is that you will have surprises in your life this year. Let yourself be surprised.

And as Tinkerbell says, “All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust”.

Here it is…THE color for 2020. And a beautiful color it is! Everyone looks great in this shade of blue.

Leatrice Eisman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute says “We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

WOW! Yes, color can do that. Think about how you feel when you see a certain color. Think about how you react to someone wearing a particular color. Color impacts on how we feel and respond to everything.

The Spring palette for 2020 is very pleasing to the eye. I am looking forward to incorporating these colors into my wardrobe.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

It’s gift giving time again. This year I would like to recommend three books. All three are “boosts”. They promote optimism. Each of these books gives us something to think about and hopefully makes you feel more optimistic about the days ahead.

The first book is The Daily Better written by Henry Edwards. Henry is a friend and, I have to say, he is a very optimistic person. Henry has selected 365 reasons for optimism. You can read one a day. Before the birth of this book Henry would write thought provoking posts on Facebook insisting that there was so much to be optimistic about! I wish him the best of luck.

The second book is written by someone I feel like I know! Hoda Kotb’s newest book is I Really Needed This Today. This book is really special. It too is a book that can be read each day. It is a collection of quotes penned by many people and they are meaningful to Hoda. As she shared them on the Today Show or Instagram she found that lots of people shared her awe and felt inspired. Since I bought the book I have been reading the quote of the day with her comments and I have been getting a daily boost! Its a great way to start the day.

The third book was selected by Barnes&Noble as Book of the Year. It is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It is an illustrated journey of four unlikely companions. It is so life affirming and is truly a beautiful book for all ages. One of my favorite lines in this book is “Is your glass half empty or half full? asked the Mole. I think I’m grateful to have a glass, said the Boy”. Yes, let’s be grateful to have the glass.

These days I think that everyone needs some help to be optimistic and hopeful. Reading any or all of these books will help. Great gifts for the holidays or just to give someone a boost.

Enjoy. Happy Holidays.