“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Ghandi ~
With all the commercialism and consumerism out there, it has become very easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas and of life in general. We have become concerned and consumed with our wants and needs, who gets what and whose present is better. We begin our shopping lists as soon as Labor Day wraps up and feverishly start keeping an eye out for bargains and deals. Forget spending the whole Thanksgiving Day with family. It can sometimes require more energy than a full hour at the gym! It’s much easier to brave up the crowds and hit up the stores, malls, outlets and hunt for deals of a lifetime.
While I’m just like every other girl and enjoy chasing a bargain on Black Friday, I have made it my mission to also do some good deeds along the way. It is not about justifying my purchases or my shopping addiction (yes, retail therapy does work!), but about remembering that this is the season of giving. In a world that has become increasingly more violent and in a society where your number of followers and likes dictate your sense of self, I’m asking you to join me in this personal challenge. I’m hoping that if we’re in it together this holiday season, then maybe we can make a small difference in this world we’re sharing. And maybe we can carry on some of the challenges into the New Year. And maybe if we do these challenges consistently, they become a habit, which in turn will become a part of our character. So let’s start this holiday season, let’s start now.
These are my To Do’s for this holiday season:
Give compliments and validate others ~ Too often we come across a passionate teacher who goes above and beyond to impart their knowledge with the students they mentor, or perhaps a dedicated caregiver who finds a way to get to work no matter what the weather is, or a parent who works three different shifts regardless of how they feel inside just to be able to pay the bills and put food on the table. And too often we learn about their stories and wonder how these people do it. They seldom receive a Thank You or any other sign of appreciation. We notice their smile, their hair, their clothes, their makeup, their attitude. We notice something good and constructive about them. As you go through your day, become aware of these positive thoughts that come to mind about others. Express sincere gratitude when you feel it. Don’t just think it, say it out loud to them. Remember however, the most important thing about compliments is that you have to be sincere. We are all intuitive beings and can sense when someone is not being entirely honest in their praise. Give compliments and validation not only to your family but also to strangers you meet throughout the day, on your commute, at work, at school, at the grocery store, or at the park. A sincere compliment, however small it may be, can make someone’s day.
Recycle and repurpose ~ Try not to let anything go to waste. Recycle anything from unwanted mail, to empty shampoo and conditioner bottles, tea wrappers, milk cartons, bottles, boxes, and store bags. I collect my recyclables in either an empty box from a previously received online order or a big paper bag from an in-store purchase. Bath & Body Works, Macy’s and Nordstrom usually have big, sturdy paper bags that can not only be recycled but also used as storage for the recycling. Learn to repurpose and give new life to items who have already served their initial intended purpose. Pinterest is an excellent source for creative DYIs. For instance, I re-use empty candle jars to store my make-up brushes.
Bring your own shopping bag to the grocery store ~ For some reason, this has been easier said than done for me. When you try to keep up with a one year old rambunctious little boy, his diaper bag, snacks and toys in tow, let alone temper tantrums, it can be a little tricky to remember to bring your own bag for the groceries. I have found it helpful to place the bags in my car as soon as I’m done putting away the groceries. One less thing to worry about when trying to leave the house! The bags I take with me are the ones you can purchase at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. They’re inexpensive and seem to be well made and durable for carrying the groceries. Not to mention they have cute, fun and colorful designs.
Donate ~ Remember the things you take for granted, others are praying for. I typically go thru my closet twice a year, in the Spring and in the Fall, and round up all clothes, shoes and accessories that I’m no longer in love with, but that someone else might appreciate. I start with my closet and then move on to the kitchen. I gather all mismatched dishes, glassware, silverware, pans and pots that I might somehow have too many of. I look around the house for any furniture piece or décor item that no longer serves a purpose. I check out my book collection, dvds and cds to identify those that I can let go of. There are various ways you can donate your items: drop them off at a local shelter, church or library or give them away to a needy friend. In years past, I have also volunteered my time either at a Soup Kitchen or at an animal shelter, both great ways to make a difference and lend a hand. However since having my son, this has not been as easy. Instead, I donate groceries and canned food to a food bank and take pet food and treats to the animal shelter. I find that in my area, Target has the best deals on toys and best prices for canned and packaged food. Between the Target Red card which saves you 5% on every purchase, Cartwheel which is a Target app offering additional discounts on select products, and coupons I receive in the mail or in the store, shopping at Target can sometimes feel like being in an episode of the TLC show Extreme Couponing. Simply put, Target cannot be beat in terms of pricing if you make use of all the resources they’ve made available to you. Another great organization is Toys for Tots, which collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.
Give your time to family and friends ~ We spend our days living in the same house with our family or sharing an apartment with a friend, but not really connecting with each other. Everyone is in their own little world, absorbed in a text message conversation, watching TV, doing homework or work on the computer. Spend one-on-one time with your mom, your dad, your siblings, your grandparents or friends. Take them out on a date and try to learn about their life, their past, their childhood, their fears and their dreams. Connect with your family and friends, nurture the relationships you have with the people in your life. Remember how fortunate you are to have these people in your life. Remember there are people out there who are not as lucky as you and I, people who don’t have any one in this world.
Now I realize that all of the above mentioned challenges are very small actions in the big scheme of things. There are a lot of other issues we’re confronted with in this world today such as hunger, poverty, terrorism and the migrant crisis, just to name a few. However, these are things that unfortunately, a lot of us, are not able to change right now. So let’s focus instead on the things we CAN change. They may be small and it may seem like they don’t matter, and it won’t make a difference. But they matter to those whose lives we touch: the overworked store employee or teacher or caregiver who just received a sincere compliment from a stranger or the little kid who found a shiny little car under the Christmas tree.
I’m going to leave you with a quote I stumbled upon on Pintrest, a quote that brought tears to my eyes:
“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that…then I realized I am somebody.”
What are some of your To Do’s this holiday season? Please share in the comments down below and let me know what you think.
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