The holiday season can be a time of great joy or great sadness. If you have a friend or loved one who is coping with a job loss, death, serious illness, or home foreclosure, it can be hard to know how to help.

These tips from the authors of Overcomers Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will help.

1. Be sensitive to your loved ones’ limited financial resources. If your brother’s just lost his job, bragging about your holiday ski trip would be cruel. Instead, suggest low-cost or free holiday gift suggestions so that everyone can participate, even if money is tight.
2. For the recently widowed or others who are in mourning, don’t avoid mentioning the departed family member. Gently reminisce about favorite family memories. It’s better to speak of the departed that to carefully avoid all mention of his or name. Follow the lead of the person in grief. If the discussion is too difficult, she will change the subject. Many times, the widow or widower will appreciate the chance to share a memory of the lost loved one.
3. Allow people to have their space, but watch out for isolation. Stress and grief can be exhausting. Your friend or family member may not be up to the traditional all day shopping trip or noisy holiday party. Let her set the pace. However, if you sense that your loved one is withdrawing from everything, consider stopping by for a quiet visit or a cup of tea. Loneliness is most acute during the holidays so some extra loving care will be very helpful.
4. Invite your loved one to an uplifting community activity. Holiday concerts, drives to see colored lights, and religious activities can be a source of connection and enjoyment. It’s hard to not to smile when you see a child’s joy or a humorous holiday play. Fun is often in short supply, especially when things are hard. Strive to bring some joy to your loved one and increase their contact with their community.
5. Be patient and understanding. Your efforts to bring joy and comfort will be appreciated, even if your hurting loved one can’t express that gratitude right at the moment. A person dealing with a serious life challenge can be emotionally fragile so be gentle, encouraging, and present. That understanding is the best possible gift you can provide.

If you have had a tough time this year, due to job loss, illness, the financial crisis, or other heartbreak, you may be dreading the holiday season. These tips from the authors of Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will help you cope:

1. Make taking care of your needs your number one priority this year. While it is good to care for others, in times of stress, it is easy to get overwhelmed by too much done on other’s behalf.
2. Get enough rest. If you are feeling sad or stressed, those feelings will intensify if you don’t get enough rest. Be sure you have enough time to recharge your batteries.
3. Create some new traditions. If this is the first year that you’ll face the holidays after the death of a loved one or post layoff, don’t pretend that life is the same and force yourself to do all the things you’ve always done. Keep the traditions that feel good to you but add at least one new thing that you will enjoy. New traditions bring more positive energy into the holiday season.
4. Ask for help. If you’ve always entertained 35 people with a full course dinner but just don’t feel up to it or can’t afford it, let your loved ones know. Suggest a pot luck meal, let another family member host the event this year, or have a movie nut with simple snacks. Match your energy level and your budget to what you can do, not what you’ve always done.
5. Reach out to others in need. No matter how awful you may feel your life is, there are folks in a more difficult situation. Sending an afternoon visiting a nursing home, volunteering in a food pantry, or sending a care package to a member of the military will lift your spirits and help you feel needed.

Wow! We keep adding to the giveaway of Inspirational Books.

All you need to do to be eligible to receive a book on October 20th is join our FaceBook Fan Page. We will select at least one person per hour the entire day on the 20th to receive a gift from us.

This is not a contest. It is an out and out giveaway.

To join click here http://www.facebook.com/overcomersinc and then click “Become a Fan”.

Those who are already fans will automatically be eligible.

Titles include:

• Law of Achievement
• Message of Hope
• 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door
• Who am I to Write a Book?
• Conscious Entrepreneurs
• The Freedom Formula
• The Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs
• Getting Over Stage Fright
• Inspiration to Realization

This is going to be huge so be sure to join right away while it is fresh on your mind. http://www.facebook.com/overcomersinc

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