Here is the latest issue of Take Charge Success Strategies.

########################################################
Volume 4, Number 9 SPECIAL EDITION December 24, 2004
Publisher: GoalMinds, Inc. E-mail: condrill@goalminds.com
http://www.goalminds.com
Copyright 2004 GoalMinds, Inc. All rights reserved
########################################################
Welcome to our many new subscribers! You are receiving this newsletter either because you signed up for it or someone has forwarded it to you. To receive your own copy go to http://www.goalminds.com/moreinfo.html and sign up. We appreciate your continuing support. Please FORWARD this newsletter to anyone you know that is interested in improved communication skills and personal development.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

We appreciate the understanding of those who do not believe in the birth of Christ and celebrate with those who do believe.
We appreciate the Kwanzaa celebrations of African Americans which begin the day after Christmas and we enjoyed Hanukkah with our Jewish friends.
This is truly a season to focus on the positive aspects of our relationships and share in the love and joy that result.

In the spirit of understanding and community, here is a very brief synopsis of the meaning of these events.

Christmas –December 25 (12 days-traditional)
When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepherds were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.

"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story2.html

Kwanzaa – Beginning December 26 (7 days)
"There is no way to understand and appreciate the meaning and message of Kwanzaa without understanding and appreciating its profound and pervasive concern with values. In fact. Kwanzaa's reason for existence, its length of seven days, its core focus and its foundation are all rooted in its concern with values (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, faith, cooperative economics, purpose and creativity). Kwanzaa inherits this value concern and focus from Kawaida, the African philosophical framework in which it was created. Kawaida philosophy is a communitarian African philosophy which is an ongoing synthesis of the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world."
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.html

Hanukkah -- Began December 7 (8 days)
Jewish Outreach Institute
Hanukkah means "dedication," and it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by foreign forces. The celebration also reaffirms the continuing struggle to live by God's commandments and to lead Jewish lives.

When all is said and done, perhaps the most important message of Hanukkah may be found in the name of the holiday itself: Dedication. When Jews have dedicated themselves, through faith and action, to the pursuit of high religious and human ideals, Judaism has been strong. That imperative, to strengthen our religion and our people, remains an important challenge at this season, in every generation. Hanukkah begins this year (5765/2004) on the evening of December 7th.
http://www.joi.org/celebrate/hanuk/

Wishing you a peaceful, love-filled holiday season.

Take Charge Success Strategies will resume next month.

"Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams" will be very helpful as you set your goals for 2005. It is downloadable http://www.goalminds.com/primer.html


Privacy statement http://www.goalminds.com/Privacy1.html

################################################
GoalMinds, Inc.
http://www.goalminds.com/
11301 W. Olympic Blvd. #345
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310 470-1638
Mailto:info@jocondrill.com