No matter your media source, you can’t help but notice how these volatile times impact communities across the country. It took a global pandemic for most to become aware of the many daily challenges Americans face. Climate change, food shortages, civil unrest, social injustices, political chaos, violent crimes, and, recently, inflation have left many mentally, emotionally, and financially overwhelmed. Naturally, it would prompt an empathetic or compassionate person to want to do something to make a difference. [Read more…] about Ways To Make A Positive Impact On Your Community
Wonderful Examples of Kindness
Feeling stuck in life is normal for many. When you have been going through the same motions for what feels like an eternity, it can easily wear on you. While you might feel like you have tried everything to break away from routine, there are probably still countless options you have not yet considered.
In many cases, feeling better about your own life is all about taking a moment to see how you can make a difference in someone else’s life. Acts of kindness can get you far and most of them do not require much from you. [Read more…] about Wonderful Examples of Kindness
5 Daily Rituals to Reduce Stress and Maximize Happiness
Stress is a normal aspect of the daily grind. A tough workload, relationship problems, money problems; stress is always just around the corner.
Fortunately, there are also countless ways to reduce stress and develop a more positive outlook. This involves shifting your focus away from the daily stressors and into the bits of happiness that often go unnoticed. [Read more…] about 5 Daily Rituals to Reduce Stress and Maximize Happiness
4 Ways to Celebrate Christmas Differently
The Christmas fever can hardly be ignored, with every commercial establishment playing Christmas songs and flaunting decor all over the place. From Santa to fake snow to Christmas sales – no one can escape the Christmas “spirit”.
But what does Christmas really mean to you? What do you do during this period?
For many, Christmas is the time to get together with family to reconnect over a special meal. There are also the numerous Christmas parties people go to, whether for business or social purposes. With these traditions come gift-giving, the idea of being generous to one another.
While Christmas is traditionally considered a religious holiday, over time, it has taken on a secular aspect as well. Yet no matter how you approach Christmas, you probably have your own traditional activities to celebrate the season.
My challenge to you is to celebrate Christmas differently this year.
Volunteer
There are many charities that need volunteers during this period. While the idea that suicide rates go up during Christmas has been debunked, there is still proof that there is such a thing as holiday depression. Whether you are the one experiencing this, or you can help others who are in the throes of holiday depression, why not considering offering your time to a local charity? Try the Salvation Army for starters. You can also check your local hospitals and homes for the elderly if they need volunteers for the season.
Give gifts to the homeless
Chances are that you see at least one homeless person on your way to work. You might not have done anything for them all throughout the year, but this is your chance to make someone else’s day brighter.
Why not give that homeless person a gift for Christmas? It doesn’t have to be an expensive one. A Christmas package, a winter jacket, or even a take out meal would make a difference to that person. And you will also have the satisfaction of making another human being happy.
Encourage your children to donate to the less fortunate
If you have children, you’re probably up to your neck in Christmas gifts shopping lists. While you don’t have to deprive your kids of their Christmas gifts, why not help them become aware of the world outside and how they can help others?
One thing you can do is to encourage them to give away their toys and clothes to children who are in need. Ask them to pick out items that they don’t really use but are in good condition and help them wrap the gifts. You can choose to turn in the gifts to a charity or you can hand out the gifts yourself. This will be an enlightening learning experience for your children.
Spend time to reflect
Instead of spending two weeks on parties – and having hangovers every morning after – why not set aside time to reflect? Think about the past 11 months. What have you done? What have you achieved? What do you need to change in the coming months?
This is one commonly suggested activity during the end of the year, but why don’t you block a sizeable chunk of time during the Christmas season for reflection instead of merely an hour or so? You can even go to a retreat or any place where you can spend time in solitude. This will not only help you understand yourself better, but also help you focus for the year to come.
If you celebrate Christmas differently, it does not mean totally disregarding tradition. However, it may involve going out of your comfort zone, having new experiences, and learning new things.
Also read:
Kindness at Christmas
How to do your bit for charity
Charities do a great deal of good in the world, from helping the homeless to fighting animal cruelty, but they need support in order to carry on with this good work. Supporting a charity, whether that be through volunteering or donating money, can be a great way of standing up for a cause you believe in and doing your bit to help make the world a better place.
Would You Give Them Money?
I haven’t had much time to write these last few days so I wanted to get you (the readers) to do some of the work. Today I have a hypothetical situation to puzzle you with. It is a question I have spent a great deal of time thinking about myself. Please read the question and then leave a comment letting us know what you would do. I am not going to tell you my response until I have seen a good amount of discussion.
The hypothetical situation is this:
You have been given $500 to donate to a starving family with four children with the condition that you have to donate 50% of the money to someone else who is going to buy drugs with your donation. Would you still donate?
Mull it over. Let us know. I am very interested to hear what you all have to say. Particularly my regular readers who I feel I am getting to know quite well.