Self-respect and self-esteem are some of the most important aspects of your personality, and having a healthy amount of both can help you take charge of your life, make important decisions, and feel secure as you go through life. However, these aren't necessarily traits that you're born with; you'll need to build self-respect with action, and boost your self-esteem with a sensible and healthy approach to life. The result is a positive attitude and often a higher chance of success as you face obstacles and challenges. Here are some simple ways you can start to build self-respect simply by learning to appreciate yourself wholly and unconditionally:

1. Learn how to pamper yourself. You don't have to spend a lot of money to take care of your skin, your hair, and your overall appearance. Just pick up a few at-home spa products and schedule yourself a pampering session at least once a week. This can include an at-home manicure, a facial, or anything that you enjoy doing that helps you relax. Double up on the fun by inviting some girlfriends and making it a spa night!

2. Take care of your body. Eating healthy and exercising regularly aren't just great for your appearance, they also keep your body in tip-top shape. When you're healthy and feeling balanced, you're much more likely to keep up a positive outlook on life and forget about minor stressors and irritation. Take the time to learn some exercises you enjoy, or simply give your diet an overhaul if it's making you feel low and unsatisfied.

3. Dress for success. Dressing well does more than impress people; it helps you feel respected inside and out, and paying attention to how you look does have a positive effect on how you feel. Take the time to find clothes that fit you well and suit your personality, and don't be afraid to dress up and look your best each and every day.

4. Stick with a positive circle of friends. If you're stuck in a toxic relationship or hanging around people who are always negative, it can really take its toll on your self-esteem. Be selective about your friends and relationships so you're not compromising your values just to keep the relationship alive. Self-respect comes from saying 'no' when it's appropriate and deciding who or what to have in your life.

5. Believe in yourself. When times get rough, it's easy to settle back into negativity and a depressed mood because things aren't working out. Try your best to look on the brighter side (it's always there!), even when you don't believe it completely. Believing in yourself means supporting your good intentions every step of the way, and finding people who also support you in the process.

EMPOWERING New Year's Goals

Millions of people make New Year's resolutions each year, only to forget about them within a few weeks, or break them altogether after a couple of months. Change can be difficult, and if you're trying to break out of an hold habit you've had for years, it can be really tough to adjust and keep going without falling back on your old ways.

However, there are ways to make New Year's resolutions that stick. All you need is a little strategy so that you can pick resolutions that are empowering, uplifting, and much more positive as a replacement. Instead of simply deciding you won't do something, you choose to do something so you make it an active goal. For example, if you want to get into shape and eat healthy, avoid making a New Year's resolution along the lines of "I won't eat fattening foods." This puts you in a negative state where you're constantly trying to avoid fattening foods. Try making a resolution that "I will eat an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables each week." The difference here is you're choosing to do something, and it just happens to be part of your healthy eating strategy!

Setting EMPOWERING goals is one of the best ways to reach success, and you'll be much more confident in setting more goals as you move ahead. Here are some other tips for goal setting successfully:

EMPOWERING Tips for Goal Setting:

1. Write them down. While verbalizing your New Year's resolution is valuable, writing it down or typing up a resolutions list can offer many more benefits. The act of writing down your goals will help you make them more concrete, and you can carry them around with you or post-it them up in a place where you can review them each day. You're much more likely to stick with them when they are right there in front of you!

2. Visualize your success. Visualizing what things will be like when you reach your goal can help you make better choices along the way. Visualizing does take practice, but all you need is a few minutes each day to 'see' the outcome in a positive light and you'll slowly start to move towards it.

3. Be as specific as possible. Being specific helps you to really focus and concentrate on what you want, so include as many details as possible. If you want to make more money this year, be specific on how you want to acheive that; will you be starting a second job on the weekends, asking your boss for a raise, or even starting your own business? The more specific you can be about your goals, the easier it will be to simply get started.

4. Keep track of your progress. Journaling your progress is a great way to stay motivated and renew your commitment during tough times! Journal regularly, journal often, and don't forget to look back on the progress you've made each and every week.

5. Look forward to success. Many people stop making goals or achieving great things because they're simply afraid of success. Look forward to your future success because you really do own it; there's just a time lapse in between!

While you're busy caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and managing that giftlist as quickly as possible, it's easy to forget that there are many ways to 'give' this season! The holidays are the perfect time to visit with family, spend time with friends, and exchange gifts at get-togethers. While sharing your wishlist of things and buying gifts for those you love and care about is wonderful, there are some timeless gifts that you can also 'give.' From volunteering your time, to practicing unconditional love, here are a few gifts you can give that cost nothing more than a little effort:

1. Say 'Thank You' at every opportunity. Even when you find yourself in a negative situation, learn how you can make it into a positive one simply by accepting it as is, and turning in a new direction. Saying 'thanks' for your current situation is the best way to give back to the universe and be open to receiving some positive gifts in return. Being cheerful through a rough patch can help you, and those around you, in more ways than you realize!

2. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Giving your time over the holidays is a great way to give back to your community, friends, or even coworkers. Commit to at least 2-3 projects this season and 'give away' your talents and skills for a purpose. Even a simple favor for someone you know can get you started.

3. Practice kindness. Showing appreciation for someone's effort, or simply cheering someone up when they're in a negative mood, are simple ways to 'give' kindness. A little kindness goes a long way, and you're bound to feel much more positive after sharing!

4. Appreciate yourself unconditionally. This is one of the most powerful ways to stay positive during a difficult time, and when you give yourself the gift of unconditional love, you'll find it much easier to create positive and healthy relationships.

5. Share something funny. The gift of laughter is valuable to everyone, and you can share it by clipping and sending some cartoons, sharing a funny story, or just telling a joke. You never know who may benefit from a good belly laugh!

Living abundantly means giving from the heart; the more you give, the more you can open yourself up to receiving some wonderful gifts in the process!

Even when you're not spending the holidays with family members - maybe you've jetted off to college, or you're stuck at work in another state and couldn't take time off - there are plenty of ways to share the holiday spirit and still stay in touch with friends and loved ones from home. Celebrating the holidays when you're thousands of miles away can be challenging, but there are some simple ways to stay positive and enjoy the season from afar. Here are a few tips on keeping you in a merry mood, and making the most of the holidays wherever you may be celebrating:

1. Send some e-cards. E-cards are a simple way to send some fun holiday greetings in an instant.  All it takes is a few clicks and an e-mail address, and your wishes will be sent to the ones you love. Add a thoughtful message, and even send a gift certificate or gift card along with the message for an extra treat! Try BlueMountain.com, 123Greetings.com or even our own DivaVillage.com for a huge selection of cheerful messages.

2. Ship your gifts at least 2 weeks in advance. This will ensure everyone gets their gifts well before the holidays, and you'll also miss the holiday postal rush. Plan ahead, and make your way over to the post office no later than December 12!

3. Sing Christmas carols over the phone! It's a simple way to send some holiday songs to friends and loved ones, and most people will appreciate the gesture. Set up a conference call with friends and family to 'go caroling' from home!

4. Set up a web camera at the party. Ask your family members to set up a web camera of the festivities if you can't attend. Web cams are great for keeping in touch with people from afar, and you can 'join' the party without having to travel anywhere at all. Use your own web cam so the party can see you during the event as well!

5. Take part in a traditional Christmas celebration where you are. Turn to local community gatherings and parties that host special Christmas celebrations; it's a great way to meet people as you share the Christmas spirit, and you can send pictures to friends and family from home.

Keeping in touch with family and friends from home is even more important over the holidays; take the time to plan ahead, and you won't feel as homesick during the festivities!

Are you celebrating Christmas on your own this year? Share your tips and plans below!

Preparing for the holidays is much easier when you can get organized and stay ahead of schedule. From party planning to getting the holiday menu together, you'll need to create some structure to your days so that you can breeze through the events with ease. Whether you're in charge of hosting a gathering, or simply want to get a head start on wrapping presents, here are some tips and hints on getting organized so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the revelries:

1. Wrap all your gifts at least ten days in advance. This will make sure you get your shopping done well ahead of the last week of madness at the mall, and you'll be worrying much less about getting out to the stores at the last minute. Wrapping all the gifts for your family members and friends early also lets you put everything under the tree, or even give a few gifts before an event.

2. Pre-make as much of the menu and store it. From appetizers to desserts, you can make the most of your holiday cooking and baking by freezing the items and just defrosting and garnishing them before serving. This can save you hours of prep time during the busy week, and you can use the extra time for other priorities instead.

3. Plan holiday table seating arrangements. If you're having a large party over for dinner, you'll need to plan the holiday table. Make a quick 'map' of the dining table and plot out your guest list. You can make festive placecards for each guest, and can help you organize the evening with ease.

4. Order flowers at least ten days in advance. If you're looking for a special bouquet or centerpiece for the holiday table, place your order at least ten days in advance for guaranteed delivery. Having the flowers delivered will save you the time and effort to head out during the busy weeks ahead.

5. Don't forget the neighbors! Homemade gifts or even a simple card to the neighbors are kind gestures that are rarely forgotten. Head over with some homemade goodies or gifts a few days before holiday week so that you can send some good wishes before their formal parties and gatherings.

6. Send out holiday cards at least two weeks in advance. This is especialy important for out-of-state or out of country recipients, since you want to make sure everyone gets their cards well before the holidays. Set a date to do your mass mailing and send out your good wishes asap!

From wrapping your gifts to ordering flowers, you'll need a few strategies to get a head start on your holiday planning. Begin your holiday events with these six tips, and share your recommendations and suggestions below!