Like most of us, for me, the holiday season always brings more. More time spent with friends and family, more food I can’t resist, more fun activities, more opportunities for sharing and giving. And, of course, there’s the other side of more. More multi-tasking, more projects to complete, more things on my daily “to do” list, more stress, more anxiety – a whole lot more of just that – more. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all and not take time to devote to the more fun and fulfilling things. Yes, the holidays bring us more, and how we manage more makes all the difference.

I’d like to tell you that I’ve had a grand epiphany of how to manage not only the busy holiday season without any stress or anxiety, but life in general – an easy, all-encompassing answer that’s an instant fix. While I haven’t been able to figure out the answer to it all, Dr. Kimberly Cress has an insightful take on improving your life by reaching out and helping others. While we may not be able to do it all and have it all, there’s intrinsic value in sharing what we do have – our time, our talents, our resources – with others. Kim says, “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they simply make the most of everything.” I couldn’t agree more.

In this issue, you’ll meet a woman who has lived that philosophy throughout her life. She embodies the true meaning of the word philanthropist. Jacki Breckon began sharing her gifts with others in the Philippines by helping place orphaned children in American homes. And that was just the beginning. Jacki has spent her life helping others and seven years ago, started a unique event benefitting women in need: the Girlfriends’ Giggle. According to Jacki, she believes that “one of the ways you will find true happiness is when you are serving people.” Yes, I believe Jacki is onto something.

The three young men who founded Krochet Kids International learned at any early age how to manage more by both giving and receiving, as did the founder of TOMS, a trendy shoe that helps people make everyday choices to improve the lives of children. We love these companies, their philosophies and their products that we feature in this issue’s The List: Things We Love. These companies show us that we can give simply by making informed choices when we spend our money.

So during the season, and frankly, our lives of more, it’s really all about perspective – tackling the more with realistic expectations and a positive outlook. American businessman and record label executive Allen Klein said, “A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.” This from the man who managed talent like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones which, while lucrative, I am certain was a formidable task. Yes, I bet a little perspective with a dash of humor helped him quite a bit.

So, if you see me scurrying around this season in my Santa hat, hair askew but laughing all the way, don’t think I’ve finally lost it. I’m just keeping the more of it all in perspective!

Thank you to our readers, advertisers and subscribers for another wonderful year, and for allowing us to share in the more of your busy lives.

Stay focused!

Patti Parish-Kaminski
editor@FOWmag.com