What should you photograph in Los Angeles? There are several places of interest, not just in its big city but also in other famous cities which are part of the Los Angeles County. So here’s a list of where to go, what to visit and what’s worth capturing in that place. What to Photograph in Los Angeles
HOLLYWOOD
This place is the capital of movie-making. Hollywood is famous all over the world for its movies, there’s no doubt about that. And of course, where movies are created, stars are also being born. This is the home to several celebrities.
Hollywood Sign – The most photographed in the place. The Sign is located on top of Hollywood Hills and is normally visible from the distance. A good place to get a shot is the Hollywood & Highland.
Hollywood & Highland – This entertainment complex is a rather new attraction at Hollywood Boulevard. The Kodak Theater and Renaissance Hotel are integrated into it plus several shops, restaurants and a spacious courtyard.
Kodak Theater – Known as the home of the Oscars. The academy awards ceremony is being held here every year and it’s the dream destination of most movie stars who like to grace the annual red carpet show.
Grauman’s Chinese Theater – The most famous movie theater in the world which had been a host to important movie premieres. At its forecourt, you can find the hand and foot prints of several famous stars like Tom Hanks.
Walk of Fame – These are the stars embedded on the side walks along Hollywood Boulevard which are being honored to respective artists who contributed to the entertainment industry.
Historical Buildings of Hollywood – Among its most famous historical buildings are the Capitol Records Tower, the First National Bank of Hollywood, Masonic Temple, El Capitan Theater, Grauman’s Chinese and Egyptian Theater, and the Roosevelt Hotel. Mostly located at the famous Hollywood Boulevard.
Sunset Strip – A part of the long Sunset Bouleavard that is famous for boutiques, restaurants, clubs and its nightlife.
Melrose Place – This is an extension road of Melrose Avenue which is a home to several upscale stores and boutiques. Melrose Place was made famous by the TV Series after its name.
BEVERLY HILLS
This is a smaller city between Hollywood and Santa Monica which is famous to be the nest of the rich and famous. Some interesting places to see in the place are…
Beverly Hills City Hall – The beautiful building is designed in Italian-Renaissance and is normally illuminated during the night. The city hall was also featured in the film Beverly Hills Cop.
Rodeo Drive – A famous and expensive shopping area in Beverly Hills which is also known for its beautiful sidewalks and arcades.
SANTA MONICA
A coastal city part of Los Angeles known for its beach-front promenade, resorts, long boardwalk, shopping, amusement, restaurants and an upscale living at Pacific Palisades.
Santa Monica Pier – The pier is a must destination for its lively atmosphere and nice views of the beach. It has an amusement park which is a great subject of photography, especially during the night.
Santa Monica Boardwalk – A haven for bikers, rollerskaters and joggers. The boardwalk is stretched parallel to the beach, offers a relaxing and the same time fun atmosphere.
Santa Monica’s Beach – The city’s most famous natural attraction which is an all-time favorite because of the place’s beautiful weather. You can get a great panoramic photo of the beach and the nearby area while riding the Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier.
MALIBU
Another favorite living place of the rich and famous because of its beautiful coastal view. Take a peek at the gorgeous beach houses lined up on the coast.
Malibu Beach – The beach got its worldwide fame during the 90’s from the very famous TV series, Baywatch. Stars on the show like Pamela Anderson fell in love with the place that she even bought a villa here.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
At downtown LA, you’ll find the city’s financial district. It is the home to banks, offices, hotels, business establishments and institutions, and upscale shops. These normally are the one defining the city’s skyline.
City’s Skyline – To get a good shot of the skyline, drive your way up to Mulholland Drive. From there, you’ll have a sweeping view of the city and its skyline.
Los Angeles City Hall – This white huge building was once the tallest upon its completion and was recently featured in the film War of the Worlds.
These all in all can contribute to a great Los Angeles photo collection. Enjoy!
The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather. Winterizing your vehicle should be a top priority, according to the Car Care Council, saving you from the inconvenience of being out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs. Winterizing Your Vehicle Can Save Cold Cash
“The thought of a breakdown, an engine not starting or otherwise being stranded is stressful as it is, but those things happening in freezing winter weather are extra stressful and costly,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during harsh weather.”
The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:
- Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
- Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
- Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
- Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
- Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to a “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
- If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
- Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
- Get the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
- Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and that the headlights are properly aimed.
Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles or matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.
It’s easy to grab a bag of chips or a handful of cookies to give yourself a boost of energy to make it through the day. But those choices aren’t always the most nutritious. It is possible, however, to make better snack choices that actually taste good, and are good for you.Wholesome Snacking for Everyone
Registered dietitian and author Kate Geagan, MS, RD, says, “Snacks can play an important role within a healthy diet. Selecting a tasty, nutritious snack or two can help you stay energized and keep you from overeating at your next meal. If you plan ahead, you can ensure that you have satisfying choices you can feel good about.” Geagan suggests planning a mid-afternoon snack and water break.
“Whole foods and those that are made with minimally processed, whole food ingredients are great snack choices,” she says. “Try to include a serving of fruits or vegetables for added vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, as well as a source of protein or calcium, like cheese or yogurt.” There are plenty of delicious options to keep you going from morning to night.
Geagan recommends snacking on SOYJOY bars instead of granola bars made with artificial ingredients, preservatives, and additives. SOYJOY bars, made with real fruit and USA grown non-genetically modified ground whole soy, are a tasty snack option perfect for any time of day. They are just the right size to keep in your desk drawer, gym bag, or pack in your child’s lunch box.
Geagan is also a fan of making flavorsome snack pairings. For example, she likes to enjoy a creamy Mini Babybel cheese with multi-grain crackers or apple slices. These individually wrapped cheeses are the perfect portion size, and they combine the irresistible taste of an indulgent treat with the nutrition of a wholesome, everyday snack. For a fun snack for kids, Geagan also suggests making mini skewers with a rolled up turkey slice, Mini Babybel White Cheddar, and a cherry tomato.
Pre-pack nutritious on-the-go snacks. If you plan ahead and divide up single servings into snack-sized resealable bags or storage containers, you’ll always have a good-for-you snack ready to grab and go.
- 1 cup edamame (or 1/2 cup shelled edamame)
- 1 ounce in-shell pistachios
- 2 tablespoons almond butter on apple slices
- Whole wheat pita chips with guacamole or hummus
- Create your own trail mix with kid-friendly ingredients like popcorn, fruits and nuts
Great tasting snacks can also be good for you – offer a variety of nutritious choices and the whole family will find a snack they love. For more snacking tips and recipes visit www.soyjoy.com andwww.thelaughingcow.com.
Travel Journal. For those who like to journal their journeys, take meeting notes or just doodle to relax, a travel journal is a must. You’ll find simple and slim options from Moleskine at moleskineus.com. They also offer City Notebooks, special guidebooks for major cites around the world. City Notebooks combine a notebook with city-specific map features into a helpful travel tool.
Travel Yoga Mat. Lightweight and easily to pack, travel mats let yoga fans take their workout with them. Mats can be folded or rolled small enough to fit into carry-on luggage. Find them at gaiam.com or amazon.com.
Back Seat Protector. When dog owners hit the road, car interiors can take a beating. A car seat cover protects the back seat from dirt, hair, moisture and mud. A waterproof, washable version can be found at orvis.com.
Lumbar Pillow. Good back support can make the trip a lot more comfortable. An adjustable lumbar pillow will ease travel in cars, trains or planes. Get one with buckwheat hull filling, a machine washable cover and webbing handles for easy placement at protravelgear.com.
Travel Sound Machine. Make it easy to relax with a travel sound machine. It’s good for those who have trouble falling asleep or who prefer to wake up to pleasant nature sounds instead of annoying alarm clocks. A compact, battery operated model can be found at orvis.com.
Travel Magazines. Give your traveler new trip ideas with a subscription to a travel magazine. Travel & Leisure, Budget Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler and National Geographic Traveler all offer something for those with a permanent case of wanderlust.
Travel Gift Cards. Help travelers get where they need to go with a travel gift card. Third party gift sites such as giftcertificates.com offer certificates for airlines, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals, cruise lines and more. Other gift card ideas include:
- National Parks Lands Pass. Give unlimited access to the country’s greatest natural treasures. The pass allows entry into federal recreation sites that typically charge an entrance fee. A regular annual pass costs $80. A lifetime pass for seniors costs only $10. Get one at nps.gov.
- CityPass. At citypass.com, pay one reduced price and receive a booklet with admission tickets to top attractions in New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California and Toronto. You pay a lot less than you would for regular admission – and main ticket lines can be avoided, too.
- Gas Cards. Gifts don’t have to be glamorous to be appreciated. A pre-paid gas card makes a great stocking stuffer for a road tripping college student or anyone looking to save on fill-ups.
An afternoon with your relatives in a local public park has morphed into multi-day or even week-long trips. Destinations range from a convenient central location to places with special family significance or a vacation hot spot, such as Washington, D.C., Orlando, Fla. or Phoenix, Ariz.
With the average reunion populated by 50 relatives, according to Reunions Magazine, a destination reunion can become a huge undertaking and quite expensive if you don’t plan ahead. Ask anyone who has done it; it’s a real labor of love. Fortunately, some hotels and other destinations provide reunion planning assistance and offer group discounts. For example, the moderately-priced lodging chain Country Inns & Suites By Carlson provides “virtual concierge” resources on their web site at www.countryinns.com to help reunion planners select a destination and plan their events. The site also profiles area attractions, restaurants, events, shopping and maps for many top destinations. “Another resource for reunion planners is the 20 great destination reunion locations we’re highlighting at countryinns20years.com in honor of our 20th anniversary,” said Steve Mogck, EVP and Brand Leader for Select Service Hotels.
In addition to planning support, the hotel chain offers many other amenities that a planner would want for their family reunion. They offer a homey atmosphere, complimentary hot breakfast, swimming pools, exercise equipment and even a “Read It & Return” Lending Library with an expanded assortment of books for all ages.
Agreeing on the location, date and accommodations are just the beginning. In most families a planning committee works together, sharing responsibility for planning and executing this large-scale event. Web sites and books on the subject recommend dividing and conquering in handling the details, research, communications and financial responsibilities of a large group event like a destination reunion. The good news is that once a family has its first reunion under its belt, it becomes much easier to plan the next get together.
REUNION PLANNING TIPS
Because planning destination family reunions is not easy, it has become the subject of many how-to books, web sites, magazines, newsletters and even big screen comedies. Longer distances and stays require more planning, activities and funds. To survive planning a family reunion, organization, checklists and plenty of help are needed. Country Inns & Suites offers tips on how to get started:
- Start at least a few months to a year in advance, depending upon popularity of the destination and time of year for the reunion.
- Recruit a planning committee.
- Assign small groups or individuals to handle:
- Dates, destination and lodging research and making reservations.
- Communications to build contact address, phone and e-mail lists; survey attendees regarding date and destination preferences; send out reunion invitation packets and tally responses.
- Finances to create a budget and manage a special checking account.
- Activities to plan the itinerary and arrange for keepsakes like special T-shirts.
- Meal planning.
- Photo and information collection to display and hand out to attendees.
- When choosing a destination, consider the time of year and potential conflicts. For instance, spring break means big crowds, increased rates and long lead times to make reservations.
- When choosing a hotel, look for one that has a variety of family-friendly amenities – like a pool and fitness area – to ensure that everyone is entertained when the day’s official activities are over.
COLLECTING MEMORIES
Keep those family reunion memories alive with a scrapbook. It’s a fun and relaxing way to create a collective memory. Creating a reunion scrapbook could even be one of the group activities planned for the last day of the reunion.
Here are a few tips to get started on a family reunion scrapbook:
- Save items of interest like ticket stubs, brochures and maps.
- Sort your memorabilia and photos by days, activities and other logical categories.
- Add a few old photographs to represent family history.
- Keep a journal of daily activities, funny moments and highlights of your activities. Even jotting down a few notes on a scrap of paper will make transferring the story to your scrapbook easier.
- Keep it simple. Let the pictures and the written memories tell the story.
- One of the bonuses of scrapbooking is that it helps photos last longer if the correct materials are used. Look for albums and paper that are photo safe, acid- and lignin- free. Also, use pens and adhesives that are tested for photo safety and archival quality.
Since scrapbooking is such a popular hobby, there are many resources available in stores and online. Digital or online scrapbooking is an easy way to share the reunion scrapbook with all attendees. You can download free digital scrapbooking software by visiting http://www.creativememories.com and clicking on StoryBook.
BREAKING THE ICE
Haven’t seen your 15 cousins for a decade, and now you’ll be together for 72 hours? Here are a few ideas for breaking the ice:
- Dress up. Don’t forget the matching shirts. Cheesy? Maybe. But outfitting everybody in brightly colored Johnson Family Reunion T-shirts promotes a united front and makes for a great photo op.
- Book it. Collect photos, info, contact numbers and e-mails, and have everything bound inexpensively at a copy center – a great memento. Or put together a cookbook of family recipes or memories. Ask for them in advance, bind them and voilà! A keepsake with everybody’s favorite dishes or stories.
- Plan a “meet and greet” welcome event at your hotel and play family trivia. Reserve a hospitality suite or small meeting room for the event, and then collect stories, fun facts and obscure history to create family trivia questions, and give prizes to the winners. Or select the couples who have been married the longest and play “the oldlywed game.” The couples who are best at guessing their spouse’s answers will be winners.
- Set up a pool party. Aside from the other scheduled activities, pick an afternoon to have everyone meet at the hotel’s pool so both the kids and adults can relax and get refreshed for more family fun.
Each year, the percentage of claims filed for lost or stolen cellphones increases in November, December and January, according to claims data from Asurion, a mobile protection and solutions company that partners with wireless providers around the globe. New Year’s Eve is the most dangerous holiday for phones, with an 83 percent increase in claims.
“The risk of theft increases during the holidays, and consumers need to consider a more comprehensive approach to protecting their smartphones and the valuable information on them,” said Bettie Colombo, spokesperson for Asurion. “Purchasing cellphone protection can save customers hundreds of dollars on a replacement device and reconnect them quickly to friends, family and coworkers during the holiday season.”
Technology-based tools are available that can perform a wide range of functions. These include location-based services that help you find a missing device, remotely lock it and even erase the data should a device land in the wrong hands.
To help keep your smartphone and the personal, irreplaceable information it contains safe this holiday season, keep the following tips in mind:
- Back up your content regularly, whether to your computer or through a reputable cloud service.
- Update your phone’s software regularly to ensure you are protected from the latest security vulnerabilities.
- Enable password protection, especially if your phone provides access to banking or credit accounts.
- * If your phone and provider offer them, enable location-based services that will let you track down your phone if it gets lost.
- Insure your phone. The best buys are comprehensive policies that safeguard you from loss, theft, damage and malfunction.
- Avoid using your phone to log into personal accounts, such as online banking, while using an unsecured public wireless network.
- Carry your phone in a deep pocket or in a purse with a zipper or other secure closure to prevent it from slipping out while you’re busy perusing gift ideas.
- Make a habit of checking for your phone as you leave a store or location. While this won’t prevent it from getting stolen, it will narrow the search field if it goes missing.
–Dr. Martha Beck
Did you know that one Sunday edition of The New York Times contains more information than all the written documents in the world during the 15th century? Does it seem like life is spinning out of control? The pace of life just keeps picking up! And with it, job satisfaction is on the decline.
In an Associated Press article, Marc Greenbaum, a 50-year-old professor at Suffolk Law School, stated that “I’m personally happier but I observe more people that are more miserable. There’s more pressure on them to produce, more problems with maintaining a boundary between work and family, even maintaining a boundary between work and the outside because of things like e-mail, voicemail and the Blackberry. They can’t get away.”
According to the Families and Work Institute, over 47% of U.S. workers surveyed feel overworked. In addition, 59% of Americans describe their lives as very busy according to an NBC news survey. According to Dr. Richard Swensen, author of Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, the average American will spend one year in his/her life searching through desk clutter looking for misplaced objects. We are working harder and faster than ever. Being more organized can help reduce stress, save time, and improve efficiency.
We celebrate National Get Organized Week the first week in October. Most people think of “getting organized” as a physical act – clearing piles of paper, putting things away, etc. What many people overlook is the mental part of getting organized. And I always say that organizing your physical environment without first clarifying your priorities is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic!
Here are 8 tips to help you with the mental part of getting and staying organized. I encourage you to read through the whole list, and then go back and choose two or three ideas to implement.
1. Understand the difference between URGENT and IMPORTANT. If it’s important, it may be a vital priority for you. If it’s urgent, it’s time-sensitive, but it may or may not be important. Be sure you are clear about the difference when deciding what deserves your time. Check out the time management matrix at www.orgcoach.net/timematrix.html, which beautifully illustrates the difference.
2. Find time for yourself. Schedule time away from your work and your family. Use this opportunity to tune in to what you want and need. Don’t feel that you’re being selfish; you have a responsibility to yourself to take care of your needs. Studies show that productivity dramatically increases when you are well rested.
3. Check for balance between these four vital areas of your life:
- Well-being – caring for your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs
- Family relationships
- Work activities
- Service activities – volunteer work, being a good neighbor, practicing random acts of kindness
4. Live your life in the present! Quit saying, “I’ll do this when I get around to it.” I have yet to find a person who said on their death bed, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”
5. Increase productivity by planning your week and fine-tuning your workday. Block out time to handle priorities. Important tips to remember as you plan your week:
- Have unscheduled time in your calendar for handling unexpected but important tasks.
- Plan to work on creative activities during the time of day when you are at your best.
- Schedule “protected time” to work on projects that need your undivided attention. If interruptions are eating you alive, close your door and ask that people come back to see you at a designated time.
- Temporarily turn off the audio feature on your cell phone, pager and email account. Pick and choose when you respond and when it’s appropriate to let calls go into voice mail.
- Be realistic about your expectations. Don’t set yourself up for failure by planning too much in one day.
- Leave work at a reasonable hour so you have time for those other three areas of your life – self-care, family, and service to others.
6. Reduce your stress by being underwhelmed. Here are a few tips to help you avoid getting overwhelmed:
- NO is a complete sentence. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. When someone makes a request, buy some time before answering. Say, “Let me think about it,” or “I’m in the middle of something right now. I’ll call you back and let you know.” This will give you time to evaluate the situation and decide if it’s something you truly want to do.
- Delegate as much as you can. Focus your time on activities that you enjoy and are best at.
7. Stay out of e-mail jail. Here are a few tips to help:
- Determine frequency of checking for e-mail messages. Some people choose to check it throughout the day and even use such devices as the Blackberry when on the road, while others only check for messages a couple times a day. You are the only one who can determine what will work for you.
- Use the F.A.T. (File, Act, Toss) method to keep your email inbox from piling up. If a message needs to be filed for future reference, place it in the appropriate email subject or contact folder. Place a red flag next to those items you need to act on but don’t have time to do right at the moment. Immediately toss (delete or forward) anything you don’t need to keep.
- Remove your name from subscription lists that do not provide value to you.
8. Set up your work environment to keep your focus on what’s most important. Here are some tips:
- Arrange your workspace so you have the most commonly-used things close in. Store things used less frequently in less accessible space.
- Create a filing system that enables you to find things instantly. The #1 reason that people pile instead of file is a fear of not being able to find it when they need it. Visit www.orgcoach.net/PaperTiger.html for some ideas.
- Create a tickler file system to remind you of important follow up at the appropriate time. The #2 reason that people pile is a fear of forgetting to do something that is out-of-sight and out-of-mind. A good tickler system reminds you to follow up on the appropriate date, and provides an alternative to that “I’ll just set it here for now” pile. Visit www.orgcoach.net/products/tickle.html#ticklerfile to see what a good tickler file system looks like.
- Use the F.A.T. (File, Act, Toss) method to process your mail daily. Review our Trim the F.A.T. tip sheet at www.orgcoach.net/trimthefat.html.
- Keep only what you plan to focus on today on your desktop. Remove visual distractions from your workspace so your attention is not pulled away from what you’ve chosen to work on today! Everything else should be put away until it’s time for you to focus on it.
Intergenerational generosity: Here come the boomers!
During the holidays and especially at Thanksgiving, gratitude is the pervasive theme: gratitude for sustenance, for bounty, for freedom. Gratitude for life itself. Intergenerational generosity from the boomers!
Gratitude can beget generosity. Gratitude is often enhanced by the passage of time and the aging process. In fact, increasing numbers of baby boomers who have had successful career
s, whose children are grown, and who may have “powered down,” will likely prove to be the most generous generation in history.
So says Merrill Lynch in a recent research report on giving by retirees. As a group (over 2000 boomers were surveyed), the statistics are impressive. The projection is that “over the next two decades there will be a surge in giving by retirees.” The report calls it the “Longevity Bonus” which includes both outright giving and volunteerism. They quantify the impact as exceeding $8 trillion from 2016-2035.
2014 was a very good year for philanthropy with more than $350 billion in charitable giving according to Giving USA . Ninety percent was outright giving by individuals and their family foundations during their lifetimes, and through legacy giving. Notably, giving by bequest was up 15.5 percent. Giving through donor advised funds, an increasingly attractive option, is not counted as individual giving.
It is estimated that over the next 30 or so years estate distributions will exceed $40 trillion.
Some boomers are heirs to their living parents’ estates and many boomers themselves will become centenarians with an extended retirement and further opportunities to grow their wealth and contribute. Boomer outright and bequest giving to non-profit organizations is trending dramatically upward.
According to the Merrill Lynch Survey:
Over 80% of retirees over 65 responded that they give money or goods to non-profits and 65 percent believe that “retirement is the best time in life to give back .”
Retirees give 42% of all money given to charity and 45 percent of the volunteer hours while comprising less than a third of the US adult population
Sixty-nine percent of retirees believe that “being generous is an important source of happiness in retirement” and retirees who are charitable indicate they have “a strong sense of purpose” and “high self-esteem.”
Retirees redefine success from career advancement and wealth to generosity; their top motivation is gratitude.
What about giving to family? Philanthropic giving relies on a sense of personal security and most often, giving first to family. Increasing life-spans elongate the time until inheritance and many boomers, some 77 percent, are preferring to give to family members “with a warm hand, not a cold one.”
But there’s a caveat: the word “affluenza” has been used to describe the affliction of the children of the wealthy. Today we might call it entitlement. How do we teach values?
Character? How do we model the concept of “enough?”
Financial and legal advisors are likely to point out that any individual can currently give up to $14,000 a year (the number may increase in future years) to another individual with no gift tax consequences. That’s $28K per couple to each child, their spouse, each grandchild, nieces, nephew, etc. And you can do it (or not do it) every year. That’s a pretty simple estate reduction plan that can avoid some taxation for larger estates.
But how would such gifts be used? A down payment? College tuition? A new car? A gambling junket? To pay off debts from a shopping spree? Does it matter to you?
Each family has its own answer to giving now or giving later, whether tax-wise or not.
Traditional estate planning focuses on passing the maximum amount on to heirs and avoiding taxation. Inter-generational philanthropy begins with passing on fundamental values, including the concept of charitable intent. It involves the desire to teach by example, giving the next generation the chance to discover the joy of giving, and guiding them to learn through their own philanthropic experiences.
Thanksgiving is a good time to have important family conversations about gratitude and giving.
Whether you are an elder, a boomer, the progeny of a boomer or a grand or great-grandchild, it is time to be thankful, to show your gratitude, and to give generously.
Enid Ablowitz, CFRE, CSPG, is a veteran advancement professional, author and consultant who is dedicated to educating and guiding donors and non-profit organizations on the art and science of strategic philanthropy.
Managing Relationships During the Holidays
As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, many of us will have the opportunity to gather with family and friends. There is so much joy this time of year. Managing Relationships During the Holidays
Expectations are formed, finances and gift giving come to the forefront, perfectionism can sneak in–any one of which can lead to anxiety. Unchecked, these can also result in holiday depression.
Wow, Gem, what a downer you are! Actually, I’m an optimist. That is why I want to talk turkey (get it, turkey) with you about your own heart as we continue on through the season.
I want to address just one idea that may help ease any tension that may arise as you get together with others. And this is the cool part. It is not about them. This is something you can choose to do for yourself. And it may help you achieve peace even in the midst of what can be a busy season.
Two words: Loving Detachment.
This not a new idea. Both the spiritual direction and 12-step communities have long touted the virtues of detachment.
In other words, everyone gets to decide for themselves how they will act, what they will say, what they will do. The key to your peace is to let go and let them. The great news is that you get to decide how you will act, what you will say and what you will do.
Detachment
You simply allow the other person to do what they are already doing…living their life the way they want to.
“But you don’t understand, my uncle so-and-so is a real jerk. I can’t stand the way he drones on and on.” I hear you. That can be very disturbing and downright angering. But what good does that stomach acid do you?
Another of my favorite 12-step phrases: “Keep your own side of the street clean.” Once again, your uncle gets to decide his own curb appeal and so do you.
Allow the person to be who they are, here and now. You don’t have to be hooked onto their dynamic, you simply let go.
Loving
You can engage without judgment or anxiety. It is our own self-talk that usually exacerbates the already aggravating situation.
Take your own inner dialogue down a notch. And then change it up. Come up with creative loving thoughts and activities that turn your heart toward the person in a loving way.
You could think of one of their good qualities and be thankful for that. You could pray for them (while they are droning) about the hard time they are experiencing at work or at home. Again, without judgment. You keep your heart open to them as a person, while protecting yourself from their acidity.
It is a beautiful thing to remember that each and every one of us is on a journey. We are all in process. Some are walking their process and others are not. But it is their choice.
The gift we give to ourselves and to others is the grace to let each one move at their own pace, by their own choice.
By Gem Fadling. Reprinted with permission. Check out Gem’s website, Presence, where she writes and provides resources for women who are learning to be fully present in a distracted world.