Resolve to Keep The Promise

Every New Year is accompanied by sworn oaths and lists of resolutions we make to improve our lives. Many resolutions go unresolved before the end of the first month. Some of the most popular resolutions are: lose weight, manage debt, save money, get fit, quit smoking, minimize stress, get organized, volunteer, quit drinking and learn something new.

If you make a resolution, tell someone. When your resolution is spoken to someone, it creates accountability. This person can be a trusted friend, family member or co-worker. Make sure that person can be your cheerleader to push you to make it a reality.

Franklin Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People may assist you in starting out the year on the right path toward your goal. You may be surprised to learn that it may even change your life. Habit 1: Be Proactive - Take the initiative to make your resolution happen. You are the sole responsible party for the outcomes of your attitude and actions. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind - visualize the finish. What will it look like at the end when you complete your goal? Habit 3: Put First Things First - Time to manage yourself = personal management. Organize and execute around priorities. Habit 4: Think Win-Win - What will be the mutual benefit from the resolution? Who else will win from your goal? Don't make it all about you. Involve someone else winning from your win. Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood - Empathic listening may lead you to the answer to your resolution. It will inspire trust and openness with others. Habit 6: Synergize - Teamwork and cooperation. Find someone else with the same resolution and work together to accomplish the goal. Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw - Personal fulfillment and growth through renewing your physical, spiritual, mental and emotional attributes. Educate yourself. Learn something new. Habits 1 – 3 = Start by making and keeping a promise. These habits represent integrity. Hold true the promise to yourself. Habits 4 – 6 = Involve others in the resolution. Work together. They represent loyalty. Seek guidance and support from others while accepting what is given to you.

Make a resolution to continually improve yourself whether it's health, education, organization, work related, family or financial. Have a resolution party by gathering close friends and family. Reflect on the past, but look forward to the future. Share your resolutions with each other. Now, everyone is accountable for their spoken New Year resolution.

"All true and lasting change occurs from the inside out. Become the change you seek in the world." Franklin Covey, Living The 7 Habits

Start the New Year by celebrating a timeless New Year’s Eve at Graylyn and toast the beginning of 2010 with a flute of champagne. Invite friends and loved ones to join in the celebration over a five-course, gourmet champagne pairing dinner event, featuring exclusive and rare vintages from our cellar. This champagne dinner event is $274 per couple, or add to the package a uniquely adorned guest room, welcome gift and breakfast for two for $399 per couple. Make a resolution to mark your calendar for Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Graylyn Estate. Enjoy an evening filled with delectable food, friendly toasts, and wonderful company

Call 336.758.2425 to reserve your space or visit www.graylyn.com.

Deck the halls!

Every year, Graylyn is decorated for the holiday season before December arrives. Graylyn has 8 trees to decorate for the season. Each tree carries a different theme. Some themes include a family tree with Gray family photos set in the Living Room, under the sea tree in our Atlantis Room and the Scottish terrier tree commemorating the Gray's love of their Scottish terriers, Butter & Scotch, located in the Grille Room. Combined, the trees have 6,500 plus mini white lights strung on them! The trees are fluffed and strung with lights by hand totaling 8 plus hours of labor. The outside is adorned with 25 plus wreaths throughout property; most noticeably on the manor house. Even the light posts have bows.

The stair tower will hold 60 plus feet of fresh garland. This is also the location of the gingerbread houses, the Manor House and newly added Bernard Cottage, decorated by Graylyn's culinary team.

Poinsettias are expected to arrive on November 30th. There are 200 plus red and white poinsettias set throughout the manor house. Three fireplaces will be filled with poinsettias; Sunroom with 24 white, Lobby with 17 red and Main Dining Room with 15 white.

Graylyn is not open to the public for tours. I encourage you to visit us for a holiday celebration with family, friends or co-workers. You can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season in the 2nd largest home in North Carolina. Santa will also be visiting Graylyn on December 5th and 12th. Check our web site for details.

'Tis the season! Remember to enjoy the holiday season. Don't let the stress of decorating, baking, shopping...leave you saying, "Bah. Humbug." Be merry!