Last night it was a full moon, and tonight will be the longest night of the year. Payne's Grey is the color of the sky, and even in Los Angeles, the air is cold enough to see your breath.

Call and catch up with a dear friend you've lost touch with. Smile at a stranger on the street, and mean it. Be polite as you race through a crowded mall parking lot. When the hassles of the holiday season cause more stress than celebration, remember that you're giving gifts and baking cookies out of love and friendship, not obligation. Don't take your friends for granted. Be thankful for your freedom. While you wait for the sunshine to return, light a candle, drink some wine, and vow to surround yourself with the people who love you in the coming year.

posted by Lorna Brown at 12:28 AM