Happy New Years to All, Including the Elderly in Your Community

People Are Resources, Too

Make plans to go to a local nursing home and visit an elderly resident who isn’t talking with or sitting next to anyone. Receiving extra one-on-one attention can be very rewarding for the resident and you’ll be surprised how interesting their life has been once you start talking with them. Especially with the holidays coming, think of those who might not have family nearby who would love good company at this time of year. Nine times out of ten, you will end up receiving much more than you gave to these elders who have so much to offer- wisdom, stories, advice and love.

Regifting 101: One sure-fire way to successfully pass it on

If your heart and your wallet have different ideas about making monetary donations, it is time to summon your inner regifter.  An unwanted gift could be a welcome donation to a charitable organization. For help selecting a charitable organization, visit the Better Business Bureaus’ Wise Giving Alliance. You can also contact the government office responsible for registering charities in your state. A little research upfront will make sure that your donation is put to good use.  If the process of selecting a charity seems daunting, remember, you benefit from giving as well. Involving your children in the selection of and contribution to a charity teaches valuable lessons.

You have an opportunity to make a difference.

Some charitable gifts are tax-deductible if made to a qualified organization. But be sure your organization meets IRS guidelines, as there may be different tax breaks when you donate certain types of assets to charity.

Gifts From the Heart

Make Merry!

Santa Claus came early to a Pennsylvania retailer this year. In early December, an anonymous man walked into a store and told he manager he wanted to donate $50,000 to help pay off customer layaway accounts. “We made him say it twice,” said store manager Steve Meyers. “When we started calling customers, they thought it might be a joke”. The donor, who asked to be known only as Santa B., arrived just in time, as unfulfilled layaway orders were set to be cancelled that day. “He just wanted to bring Christmas cheer to everyone,” Meyers said. “He was in and out, kind of like Santa Claus.”

Happy Hanukkah!

The Jewish Festival lights begin this time of year and has a marvelous tradition of giving, known as “Tzedakah." When translated into English, the root word “tzedakah,” means charity -- giving to those in need. Tzedakah is part of the 10 Commandments and holds a very high place in Judaism. Tzedakah is derived from the Hebrew word tzade-dalet-qof, meaning righteous, fair, or just. Giving or donating, in the Jewish religion is not a generous act, but also considered to be a just act. It is a performance of duty.

In Jewish literature, the sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments. In fact it is equal to all other commandments combined. Tzedakah is what grants us forgiveness from our sins. According to the Yom Kippur literature, a judgment has been inscribed for those who have sinned. Repentance, prayer, and tzedakah can reverse the decree. Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered to be of greater merit than others. Maimonides organized the different tzedakah into a hierarchical list. From the least to most meritorious they are: Giving begrudgingly Giving less than you should, but giving cheerfully Giving after being asked Giving before being asked Giving when you are unaware of the recipient's identity, but the recipient is aware of yours Giving when you are aware of the recipient's identity, yet you remain anonymous. Giving when neither party is aware of the other's identity Enabling the recipient to become self reliant. This is true kindness. 

Operation Christmas Child

Pack a shoebox with new toys, school supplies, socks… go to www.samaritianspurse.org for more information on how to pack a box. It will be donated to a child in need (you can decide the gender and age group) and you can even track the box to see where it ends up! Check out this website for some packing ideas: http://faithfulprovisions.com/2012/10/01/101-operation-christmas-child-shoebox-ideas/

Difficult People are the Ones We Learn the Most From

I love the old-fashioned ideas of virtues such as kindness, generosity a LOT. I am determined to develop my patience muscle so it gets stronger all the time. Here is a big one for me; to learn to have patience with difficult people. (And realize I may be one, myself and not know it!)  This is not only a good deed for the person you are exhibiting patience towards, but it is also a good deed for yourself! Imagine that, a good deed for yourself! For example, when someone is purposely trying to push your buttons by doing something or saying something rude, you can choose to act with patience and understanding instead of anger. This will benefit you by keeping your blood pressure low and your stress levels low as well – which we know are two health issues that many people are suffering from today. My wise woman friend BJ Gallagher says, “Difficult people are the ones we learn the most from.”

A Fantastic Warm Up Act

Warm Up America (WUA) www.warmupAmerica,org. works with community service organizations and the American Red Cross to distribute warm, hand-made blankets to those who need them. Warm Up America volunteers are encouraged to donate their finished blankets to a local organization (or a local chapter of a national organization) near where they live or work. My family collects old blankets and my mom’s best friend is a master quilter who can make a gorgeous patchwork blanket that would keep anyone quite cozy for years to come.  Warm can be a beautiful thing!

Fighting Illiteracy One Book at a Time

I am hoping that Santa remembers from last year that I requested a “Little Free Library” kit and it did not arrive under my tree. I keep seeing these charming itty bitty libraries in my neighborhood where you can take a book or give one in return. Some are plain servicalbe boxes somewhat like a birdhouse for books and some are very ornate, not unlike something you might find in the upscale sections of The Shire. www.LittleFreeLibrary,org, has a mission:

It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. You can, too!

Thanksgiving: Count Your Blessings

Thanksgiving Day brings families and friends together in a celebration of gratitude and thanks. However, it is also a time for reflection and for giving back to your community and to those less fortunate. Millions of people across the America could use a little helping hand and especially now. The oldest and largest national origination dedicated to assisting local, community-based seniors, Meals On Wheels has made delivering daily meals directly to Golden Ager’s its mission – deliveries that wouldn’t be made without strong network of 5,000-plus community programs and countless, countless volunteers. www.mowaa.org is in many communities so find the one near you and get involved. I drove for a hospice food delivery service and the people are so appreciative that I always felt I got more out of that they did. One other good group to go more global in your giving is Convoy Of Hope:  Go to http://www.convoyofhope.org/ and find out what you can do to help end world hunger. We are here to help others and this one of the best-ever ways. 

How to Have an Attitude Of Gratitude

1. Be grateful and recognize the things others have done to help you.

2. When you say, “Thank you,” to someone, it signals what you appreciate and why you appreciate it.

3. Post a “Thank you to all” on your Facebook page or your blog, or send individual e-mails to friends, family, and colleagues.

4. Send a handwritten thank-you note. These are noteworthy because so few of us take time to write and mail them.

5. Think thoughts of gratitude—two or three good things that happened today—and notice calm settle through your head, at least for a moment. It activates a part of the brain that floods the body with endorphins, or feel-good hormones.

6. Remember the ways your life has been made easier or better because of others’ efforts. Be aware of and acknowledge the good things, large and small, going on around you.

7. Keep a gratitude journal or set aside time each day or evening to list the people or things you’re grateful for today. The list may start out short, but it will grow as you notice more of the good things around you.

8. Being grateful shakes you out of self-absorption and helps you recognize those who’ve done wonderful things for you. Expressing that gratitude continues to draw those people into your sphere.

9. Remember this thought from Maya Angelou: “When you learn, teach; when you get, give.”

10. Join forces to do good. If you have survived illness or loss, you may want to reach out to others to help as a way of showing gratitude for those who reached out to you.

Practice Kindness on World Kindness Day!

The Hebrew word mitzvah means a good deed or an act of kindness. Judaism teaches that the world is built on kindness. I recall what my Bubbe, a dear friend in Salt Lake City who was my son’s first caregiver, used to tell me about the importance of doing mitzvah s. She believes in the power of doing something good for another person but not telling them about it. She is a perfect example of someone who practices random acts of kindness, and also one who sees and acknowledges the beauty in everyone she meets. I always feel better just by being in her presence. Entire campaigns focused on practicing random acts of kindness have sprouted up. This, along with “having an attitude of gratitude,” enriches my days in many ways. There are myriad ways you can practice random acts of kindness. Don’t forget to include yourself when you are doing them!

• Pick up trash you see on the street and make the world a better place.

 • Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line.

• Buy a cookie for a coworker and leave it on their desk.

 • Hold the door open for someone.

• Smile at a stranger.

• Send a thank-you note through the mail.

An Extra Hour to Do Lots of Good- Daylight Savings.

Turn your clocks back one hour and make sure to spend that extra hour doing something productive. This is like a second chance at tackling the day. What did you need to get done yesterday that didn’t?  Here is one great way to spend that hour, cruise over to www.my philanthropedia.org to find your perfect match of an organization to donate to or volunteer with. I learned about this from a TED Talk and discovered this vital service:

Philanthropedia rate verified, financially responsible charities according to how much great work they're doing. Donate to top nonprofits in a cause you care about. 
Smart, easy, legitimate. 

Today, 3121 experts have participated in our research, providing reviews on 767 top nonprofits across 36 causes. I bookmarked this on my desktop and check in often

I am a proud "Office Composter!"

Skip the Packaging

 First, try to recycle all the product packaging that the item comes in, from the cardboard box to the plastic sleeve. And finally, check out companies like Terracycle that offer recycling programs for things like mascara tubes and lotion bottles.  I am very proud that, on my business card, alongside my title of “Publisher.” It also says “Office Composter and I set up a full- scale recycling and zero waste program. Visitors dig it!

Offer Unconditional Positive Regard

Be accepting. No matter a person’s race, age, culture, or sexual orientation, accept everyone for who they are. Embrace the beauty of humanity and how different everyone is. By opening your eyes and mind to the possibility of love and friendship, new people will flow into your life and change your perspective in miraculous ways.

Breast Cancer Awareness Should Not be Just One Month of the Year

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to have an exam. Men need to remind their doctors, as well as it is not longer only a women’s issue. Remind your close friends to do the same and maybe schedule appointments for the same time so you can go together and have moral support. It is important for us to be educated about all forms of cancer and to take the necessary steps to stay healthy. Visit www.breastcancer.org to answer any questions you may have. I am a breast cancer survivor and deeply grateful. I remember getting the diagnosis and just going completely numb. I was like a zombie going through motions of my life, getting up and going to work, cooking dinner, trying to focus but all I could think was “I have cancer.” My friends and family got me through it also a genius doctor who “got me” and understood that for me, it would be a physical, emotions and also spiritual journey and had deep discussions about all that. I am lucky in so many way, being “free and clear” for over a decade now and also that I bonded with my female physician and she asked me to stay involved in her practice as a counselor for the newly diagnosed. I am honored and each time I work with someone who has just found out they have cancer, I offer my story and all the success stories I have witnessed while listening to their fears, dishing out lots of hugs and helping them in any way I can. This is one of the best things I do with my life- using my wisdom to help another. 

Today is National Forgiveness Day; Let Go, Move On and Heal

National Forgiveness Day

 If you have born a grudge for someone, forgive them or let it go. You don’t need that negative energy in your life. Remember that forgiveness is not absolution; what happened in the past still happened but what you are doing is relieving yourself of the burden that has been weighing you down. Now you can heal. Our society is also in need of lessons in forgiveness and a dramatic reminder of this can be found in the film and foundation behind www.unlikelyfriendsforgive.com where we learn the real power of atonement and the art of forgiving, even after brutal acts of violence. 

When We Do Good, We Feel Good and Puerto Rico Still Needs Our Help!

Give to the Givers (not the takers)

Find joy in giving.“Altruism boosts immune function, improves our moods, and is linked, not only to a higher quality of life, but a longer one,” according to Stephen Post, at Stony Brook University. Those who help others also experience a “helpers high” when their bodies are flooded with feel good endorphins and other natural chemicals. It’s pretty basic: When we do good, we feel good.

Now is the Time for Kindness and Simple Acts of Goodness

Live Aloha@

In the beautiful paradise known as the Hawaiian Islands, there is a tradition of “Living Aloha.” This one encompasses all of the aforementioned good deeds, which is why it’s the most important of all. In the Hawaiian tradition, “aloha’ stands for the akahai, lokahi, olu`olu, ha`aha`a, and ahonui—in English, these words translate to kindness, bringing unity, politeness, humbled, and enduring. If you live your life with simple acts of goodness every day and follow the tradition of native Hawaiian islanders, you will surely become a good in the world.

Foster An Anmal Who Might Be Separated From Their Owners Due to California Wildfires

- Foster a 4-Legger

If you are a parent of young children, you are probably hearing a steady chorus of requests for a dog. You can try it out to see if dog-ownership is right for your family by volunteerism at www.guidedogs.com to raise a puppy for the blind. What a wonderful way to experiment and do good.  This is an excellent demonstration of responsible behavior that will doubtless leave a lasting imprint upon your child.

You Can Make a Difference for Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas Where People Still Need Help!

Be a Good in the World

Take stock of your day-to-day life. Are you giving to others or is a little out of balance where your work, your immediately family gets 99% of what you offer the world?  You can change that in one day. Donate more of your time or money to a charity. Supporting a cause will help keep you informed about social issues and can strengthen your sense of well being while benefiting others in the process 

Buy One, Donate One- Your New Shoes Will Give a Child in Texas, Florida or Puerto Rico New Shoes, too!

Who Knew Compassion Could be So Comfortable?

Buy a pair of Tom’s shoes. They are a one-for-one organization that donates a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of Toms purchased. Visit http://www.toms.com/ to learn more about the cause and view the various styles. I like the shiny glittery Tom’s!

The Red Cross can use more than your blood; more ways you can help Puerto Rico

Give Life

Donate blood. One donation can help up to four people. If that’s not inspiring enough, every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion due to various injuries, illnesses, or conditions. Donating is completely free and completely safe. (http://www.bloodcenters.org/) Go to the American Red Cross website (http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation) to find a location near you. And you usually get cookies and juice after your donation! Did you know this?

For some people, health, time, and logistical restraints means donating blood isn’t possible. But blood donation isn’t the only way to support organizations like the Red Cress. As well as financial donations, the Red Cross also accepts airline miles and credit card rewards. Easily transferable from your computer, these sorts of donations don’t cost anything but can still make a difference.

Let No Child Go Hungry; Another Way to Help the Families in Texas and Florida

Share Your Strength

When I worked on the Random Acts of Kindness project, we looked around for places to donate profits from the books and SHARE OUR STRENGTH came highly recommended. It remains an organization I deem as a real good in the world. Did you know one in children in America deal with hunger on a daily basis? Join SOS’s campaign www.nokidhungy.org so we can take care of those who need it most.

Don’t Just Go through It, Grow Through It

An attitude of gratitude can make a profound difference in our day-to-day lives, yet, as we all come to know, not every day is filled with all good things. We each endure difficult passages: illnesses, money trouble, work woes, relationship issues, the loss of a loved one, and countless others. These are the vicissitudes of life. However, it is the attitude you bring to each situation that makes all the difference. Share what you learned from others from your life lessons and offer it if you think it can be of help to a fellow traveler who is walking a hard path.

Help Our Elders Including Those In Texas and Florida Who Are In the Most Need

Give Someone’s Grandfather or Great Aunt What They Always Wanted

Grant a Wish to a Senior Citizen. Volunteers for the Twilight Wish Foundation grant wishes by donating items (like a home computer requested by a grandmother who wanted to e-mail her grandkids) or by contributing their time. Lean all about it at www.twilightwish.org  Some wishes—like one from a retired postman who wanted to go over his old route one last time—require planning instead of money, and volunteers tend to choose items or actions that most speak to them. 

Here's how You Can Help the Kids Going Back to School in Texas and Florida

Pack a shoebox with new toys, school supplies, socks… go to www.samaritianspurse.org for more information on how to pack a box. It will be donated to a child in need (you can decide the gender and age group) and you can even track the box to see where it ends up! 

Check out this website for some packing ideas: http://faithfulprovisions.com/2012/10/01/101-operation-christmas-child-shoebox-ideas/

Craft Up a Storm to Help our Storm Survivors!

Here is my favorite resource that lists many ways to knit, sew and quilt your way to a better world. www.handcraftedwithlove.net:

      Socks For Soldiers knits socks for soldiers serving in the Middle East.

      Stitch for a Cause knits, crochets, sews, and quilts blankets and infant apparel for local children's agencies. Based in Louisville, KY, USA.

      Stitches From the Heart sends handmade clothing and blankets to premature babies across the nation. Based in Santa Monica, CA, USA.

      Stitching Up The World knits, crochets and sews items to donate to a variety of organizations. Their main effort is items for chemotherapy patients in New Hampshire, Based in Candia, NH, USA.

      Threads of Love provides clothing, blankets and other handmade articles for premature and sick infants. Threads of Love has chapters in the United States, Canada and London, England.

      Tiny Stitches is based in Gwinnett County, Georgia and provides basic layettes to disadvantaged newborns and preemies in north Georgia. They also provide burial ensembles to families who lose an infant.

      Ugly Quilts for the Homeless, My Brothers' Keeper.

      Victoria's Quilts and Victoria's Quilts Canada. Quilts for cancer patients.

Did you know your old prom dresses can become a kid's favorite blanket?

Do you remember Linus of the venerated Peanuts cartoon? He was a piano virtuoso who loved his blankie and also shows how universal that love for just the right soft cloth can be. My mom and aunts are amazing quilters and can seemingly take anything and make a gorgeous, collectible quilt from it. Even if you, like me, lack that “quilting gene,” you can blanket the world with your love and good intentions by collecting them for donation.  I put out a call and got a ton of nice comforters to donate to Project Linus,  www.projectlinus.org for gifting cozy quilts and oh-so-warm blankets to kids in shelters, hospices, hospitals and wherever the cloaking comfort of love might be needed. My mom recently made a quilt of some of my crazy outfits from the 80’s!

Blanket the World With Love

Crafting Kindness: Inspired Ideas for Helping Flood Victims in Texas:

Compassionate Crafts

Some of my friends love to knit and crochet. Everyone I know already has a colorful throw given to them. So now what to do with the products of all that handwork? Look no further!

www.woolworks.irg has a section on knitting and crocheting for charity listed by state, with links for organizations that make donations to U.S. troops; to centers for battered women and children; to Native Americans Reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah; and to the homeless in cities all over the U.S.

www.newbornsinneed.org would love clothing and bedding items for newborn, sick, needy, and premature babies. You can donate blankets, hats, booties, and afghans. All they ask is that you use the softest yarn possible.

www.warmingfamiles.org is a 100% volunteer project that delivers donated blankets and other warm items to the homeless and displaced while strengthening families with their charity work. They supply to local shelters and nursing homes. 

Done to the Mercy Corp and Help the Texas Flood Victims

Donate a gift through Mercy Corps. It’s as simple as this: choose a gift on the website for someone you know needs it or choose to whom you wish. The recipient gets a card that explains the gift and donation made in their name, and your gift helps families in need. Visit http://gifts.mercycorps.org/ to view the gift selection, ranging from clean water to giving a goat to a family. You can choose to remain anonymous or you can personalize with a friendly note to the family in another part of the globe. People have developed nice long-distance friendships through the kindly organization and are really nice to see how your gift is of benefit. Often, the daily headlines are reflected in the regions in need and currently families affected by Hurricane Harvey and the flood in Texas need all the help we can give them. 

The Universe Has Your Back

I (re) learned this truly vital lesson from Imperfect Spirituality blogger and author Polly Campbell: Once today say “yes” to something unexpected that comes into your life.

Know that you are enough to handle whatever emerges from the yes. Know that you have the whole Universe supporting you. Believe that you will have a good time and learn something that you need to know. Exercise your faith by taking the Universe up on the good things that come your way and practice your optimism by believing that there is more to come. 

Just. Say. Yes.

Power Your Life With the Positive

When life gets you down, remember to look on the bright side (and there is always a bright side). Be strong not just for yourself but for those around you as well. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It is better to light a single candle than it is to curse the darkness.” Look into the meaning of this quote: focus on the light in your life—and if there is none, try to be that light.

 “Attitudes are contagious. Make yours worth catching.” –David Mezzapelle

Turn Off Your TV and Turn Your Brain Back On

Nowadays children have computers and chat rooms, mobile phones, and a TV in their room with a hundred channels in glorious color, stereo, and DVD. Children are techno-wizards. TV is a time filler, and time killer. It brainwashes. It both encourages and plays down violence, in both behavior and attitude. Every ten minutes is a fast food ad, and ads for wanna have, gotta have. TV makes children lazy, sluggish in thought and action.

• If you feel your children are watching too much television and it’s having a negative impact:
• Have all cable disconnected.
• Remove all TVs except one from the house.
• Limit TV viewing to set hours, such as only after homework is finished, no TV during meals, no morning TV.
• Limit channels watched.
• Have family evenings that are fun. Encourage new hobbies.
• Don’t rely on the TV for entertainment; make your own. Talk to your family, and have them talk to you.

Sharing Our Strength

When I worked on the Random Acts of Kindness project, we looked around for places to donate profits from the books and SHARE OUR STRENGTH came highly recommended. It remains an organization I deem as a real good in the world. Did you know one in children in America deal with hunger on a daily basis? Join SOS’s campaign www.nokidhungy.org so we can take care of those who need it most.

Compassionate Crafts

Some of my friends love to knit and crochet. Everyone I know already has a colorful throw given to them. So now what to do with the products of all that handwork? Look no further!

www.woolworks.irg has a section on knitting and crocheting for charity listed by state, with links for organizations that make donations to U.S. troops; to centers for battered women and children; to Native Americans Reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah; and to the homeless in cities all over the U.S.

www.newbornsinneed.org would love clothing and bedding items for newborn, sick, needy, and premature babies. You can donate blankets, hats, booties, and afghans. All they ask is that you use the softest yarn possible.

www.warmingfamiles.org is a 100% volunteer project that delivers donated blankets and other warm items to the homeless and displaced while strengthening families with their charity work. They supply to local shelters and nursing homes.

What Would Martin Luther King Do?

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dig this!

There is plenty of free stuff to be found in every community Urban foraging, or dumpster diving, has become very popular in the last few decades. Well-known proponents of the movement like the nonprofit organization Food Not Bombs began feeding the hungry with salvaged food 30 years ago. I first learned about The Diggers when I was interviewing the great poets Diane di Prima and Janine Pommy Vega for Women of the Beat Generation.

The Diggers, who came together in the 1960s in San Francisco, regularly fed around 200 people a day on donated and foraged food. They also ran free shops, threw free parties, and started a free medical clinic.

Some contemporary urban foragers call themselves Freegans (a composite of “free” and “vegan”) and pride themselves on their recycling prowess. The Freegans’ mission is to live with minimal consumption of resources and limited involvement in the mechanisms of the conventional economy. If you fancy learning the skills necessary for successful dumpster diving, Freegans (www.freegans.info) are the people to contact. Active groups are listed, and some organize trash tours where they instruct newcomers on how to scavenge safely. The basic rules are commonsense: forage with at least one other person, always thoroughly check food when you get home and wash as needed before eating anything, and don’t leave a big mess at the scene of the foraging—the

rodents will love you, but storeowners won’t!

Talk Less, Listen More

 Listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone. As humans we all want to be heard. So, start by listening a little more each day. Listen to your children, your spouse, your friends, even the Chatty Cathy in the office. You, in turn, will be repaid by being listened to with far more attention and care.

Each One, Teach One

Spread around a love of literature, books and writing! Many children, and even adults, struggle when it comes to reading. Look into volunteering for adult literacy classes or reading to the elderly at a retirement home. www.proliteracy.org has an amazing legacy:

Laubach Literacy International's history begins in 1930, when Dr. Frank C. Laubach was a missionary among the Maranao people of the Philippines. His concern about their poor living conditions led him to conclude that the ability to read and write was essential for them to begin to solve their problems. As the Maranaos learned to read, they would, in turn, teach other adults on a one-to-one basis that became known as "Each One, Teach One." From 1935 to 1967, Dr. Laubach visited 105 countries answering calls for literacy help and created reading lessons in 315 languages. 

How do you serve the greater good?

“To Be of Use,” Marge Piercy’s marvelous poem, suggests something of the human condition—that we all long to be useful, to help, to work together toward a common goal. This is surely the best part of the human spirit. Meditate upon this:

What is my true purpose? What am I here to do in this life?

I recommend that you contemplate this question deeply and for a very long time—days, weeks, months, and years even. Let the answer speak through your service to others.

Add a Half Hour To Your Day

One of the most brilliantly simple pieces of advice I ever heard was from Peter Shankman at a publishing conference. He said he has tried this and it had transformed his life and it is just this: get up a half hour earlier and use that to reach out to people. He said it can be as easy as wishing a happy birthday to your Facebook contacts, one meaningful phone call first thing in the morning or writing a personal note to someone you have longed to be in contact with. I remember listening to him and thinking I really didn’t want to get up any earlier, that my days were long enough (see previous post on letting go, clearly I needed to do some right then!) and that it did not sound that appealing. But his sincerity and enthusiasm somehow broke through my “baditude” and I pondered the idea as I walked back to my car and drove across the Bay Bridge back to office. I decided to try it and I can tell you, he is RIGHT.

The extra half hour of every morning has been one of the best investments I ever made. So much so that I added an hour. It completely changed my life for the better. Try it!

Learn the Art of Letting Go

After all, we are all human and we have a little baggage. Or a lot, I sometimes will hold in my feelings until it is like a dam about to overflow. Luckily for me, I have had the opportunity to learn from great authors like Sue Patton Thoele, Melody Beattie and Mark Nepo that we just have to move on toward the positive. Release any repressed anger and pain that you have been harnessing. Allow yourself to let go of the past so that you can proceed to live in the present without worry, fear, or resentment. Remember that this isn’t a one-time event, but a process. Letting go is an act of kindness for yourself and from yourself. Once you can accept that life isn’t always something you can predict or control, yours will eventually become more positive and joyous.

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” –Maya Angelou

Book 'em

Give a book to someone out of the blue. Think about what this person would enjoy rather than what you enjoy reading. Consider their interests and buy them a book. Already own a book you think they’d like? Sometimes giving away your own possessions will mean more to the recipient, making them feel important enough to inherit your belongings.  Recently, one of my friends said she wanted to cook more at home after work instead of eating out most nights. I got her two cookbooks on one-pot meals and slow cooker recipes. Even though this was not what I had in mind, I have enjoyed some delicious soups and stews she discovered in her reading and sharing these together makes for truly high quality time together.

Live Aloha!

In the beautiful paradise known as the Hawaiian Islands, there is a tradition of “Living Aloha.” This one encompasses all of the aforementioned good deeds, which is why it’s the most important of all. In the Hawaiian tradition, “aloha’ stands for the akahai, lokahi, olu`olu, ha`aha`a, and ahonui—in English, these words translate to kindness, bringing unity, politeness, humbled, and enduring. If you live your life with simple acts of goodness every day and follow the tradition of native Hawaiian islanders, you will surely become a good in the world.

We Are Here to Love 24/7

I have seen this excellent exercise put into practice at work, family reunions, and dinner parties. It never fails to bring a group of people closer, and it brings out the best in anyone. It is especially effective among a group of fractious folk, and it calms roiling waters easily. Time your moment well; never at the beginning of a get-together. Whenever there is a lull would be best. Call everyone to attention and say you want to acknowledge your appreciation for the group.

Do so with simple statements.

Examples:

“What I appreciate about Julian is his humility; he is brilliant but never showy.”

“What I appreciate about Leslie is her kindness and generosity. She helped me out when I was in a bad way. I will always be grateful to her for that.”

Offer a positive appreciation for each person and encourage others to do the same. Talk about a “turnaround”—this can turn stormy skies blue in five minutes flat.

Rewire Your Brain To Be More Positive - Happy Summer Solstice!

Neuropsychiatrist David Amen, MD, posits that thoughts carry physical properties and that the properties of negative thoughts can be detrimental to your leading a healthy, happy life. To overturn these negative effects, he prescribes thinking more positively, maintaining that by doing so, you can change the way your brain works and in turn change your life for the better

Dad’s Big Day

On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first Father’s Day. However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Celebrate your father today by making him feel special and loved with a homemade gift or meal. For your friends who may have lost their father, check in with them as this day will be difficult and there are many “rad dads” who are elders with wonderful stories to tell at senior centers.  Head to your local café and grab some yummy pastries, coffee and tea and honor the elders in your community.

Before you purchase plastic, think twice. Is there another option?

Yesterday, I read that 90% of the plastic in oceans of the world comes from rivers in Asia. We can do better by the choices we make every day and here's hoping that China's new attention to the environment will reduce the plastic pollution. Meanwhile, here's what we can all do:

More Ways to Avoid Plastic

• Jars. So many jars. For salads, soups, sauces, juice, opened packages of things. Just jars. Lots of jars.

• Aluminum foil is a great stand-in for plastic wrap and can be easily recycled or saved for reuse.

• Wax paper is great for wrapping sandwiches. So are reusable sandwich pouches you can make or purchase; many close with Velcro and are easy to launder or wipe clean.

• Reuse empty yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese containers. You’ve already got them and you have to wash them before tossing them into the recycling bin anyway, so you may as well use them again.

• Invest in reusable lunch containers like bento boxes or tiffins to avoid waste when sending off your little one (or yourself) with a bagged lunch.

Making the Most of a Rainy Day

It's about to rain here today so I am excited to have a thirsty rain barrel at the ready:

• Install the rain barrel at least six feet from your house. Locating it near the area you’ll be watering the most makes for convenient use later.

• Ensure that your rain barrel has an overflow at least as large as your inflow—for example, if you have rigged it so that water is collected directly from your eaves’ trough downspout, your overflow valve should be as large as your downspout as well. This will allow your barrel to get rid of excess water as fast as it collects it, which might be necessary if you live in a city with crazy, unpredictable weather like my brother does.

• If you are using the rain barrel to water your garden, consider using a soaker hose. You can attach the hose to the rain barrel and then run it through your garden so that it covers the area you’d like. 

Now, every time you see a rain cloud, you’ll get really excited!

Go one day without complaining

This is really hard right now since the daily news is unstintingly negative. But it is so worth the effort. Go one day without complaining, even better, go a week. If this is hard for you to accomplish, it’s time to make some changes in your life. Think positively, live in the present, and appreciate where you are and who you are. Today is a gift, accept and embrace it. Author Mark Bowen wrote a fantastic book on this very topic which I have turned too when I need a reminder, as all of do now and again. My copy came with a bracelet, a simple way to monitor how often you complain and helps you track your progress toward becoming “complaint Free.” Put the bracelet and every time you complain switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go 21 consecutive days without complaining or switching the bracelets. It is harder than you might think and I was a bit shocked at what a complainer I turned out to be.  It was a really good exercise for me and I highly recommend it. I benefited enormously and I suspect the people around me did, too!

Can You Stop "Canting?"

Yes, You Can

Remove the word “can’t” from your vocabulary and think about what is actually holding you back—fear, reluctance, pride? Once you stop talking yourself out of taking a risk or making a difficult decision, life will open up for you and so will your mind.

And while you're at it, do something nice and helpful without being asked. Take out the trash, clean the house, and visit a relative. Once you make a habit of these tasks, you won’t need reminding, you will want to do them.

Love Lifts You Up

If you have frequent flier miles you are not planning to use, give them to service members who have been injured in the line of duty and need to be flown to get proper medical treatment. This can also enable family members to visit.  Check out fisherhouse.org to discover all you need to know about Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles Program. Love has an enormous power to heal so sharing your unused miles stretches YOUR love a mighty long way!

Give a young woman a meaningful memory to last her lifetime

Did you know that many teen girls long to attend their high school prom but end up missing out on the sweet tradition simply because a fancy dress is not in the family budget?  Help these girls out by visiting http://www.glassslipperproject.org/

You’ll discover that you can donate your old prom dress and shoes to the delightful folks at the Glass Slipper Project, a non-profit organization that gives free prom dresses, shoes, and accessories to high school juniors and seniors.  Generosity can be very glamorous!

Think of Our Future: Be A Seed Saver

My Aunt Ruth in Flat Rock, West Virginia, raised me to save seeds. I was a preschooler, barely able to toddle along after her but I took in as much as I could. Aunt Ruth, who was a child of The Great Depression, was teaching me thrift when she showed me the art of harvesting, drying and saving seeds from veggies and flowers. Thrift an important survival skill for that time and I see thrift as a “forgotten virtue” who time has arrived once again. I remember being very impatient about how long it took for spring to come so I could sew the marigolds, alyssum, and Four O’ Clocks. 

Planting More Trees!

In 1872, J. Sterling Morton came up with the idea that every year a special day should be put aside for tree planting. Thus he founded Arbor Day and that year over a million trees were planted in Nebraska. Probably now, more than ever, we need to honor Arbor Day, which is usually celebrated on the last Friday in April or early May (some states choose different dates depending on their weather for best tree planting times).

Trees hugely improve the quality of our lives. They provide shelter and food for our wildlife, clean the air, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, they mask noise, prevent soil erosion, provide paper and wood for fuel and buildings, all this plus the joy and wonder of such a majestic and wonderful plant. Just imagine walking into a park or driving along the highway and there are no trees!

Celebrate Arbor Day by logging onto www.arborday.org and finding out what you can do in your area. Save a tree by recycling paper. Plant a suitable tree in your garden or neighborhood and dedicate it to someone special

True Love Does Not Require a Diamond

Precious gems and metals leave a horrific trail of pollution and human rights abuses. Not much more needs to be said about this one without getting into some seriously depressing territory, but we cannot discuss jewelry without acknowledging that many people pay a steep price in order to mine, produce, and export precious metals and all those shiny little rocks we coyly call “a girl’s best friend.”  There are so many ways to show your love and no suffering should be involved. Ever.

Ditch the High Maintenance Front Lawn and Plant Natives

As a Northern Californian experiencing a serious drought, I am thrilled to see more and more gardens filled with planets that need NO water. It is called xeriscaping and it is gorgeous and has enormous variety. If you’re tired of the constant mow/water/fertilize/ mow cycle of your lawn, consider getting rid of it altogether. It’s not as bizarre as it sounds. Some water conservationists estimate that up to 40 percent of a household’s water usage during the summer months is spent on outdoor watering, so ditching the lawn altogether can save you time, money, and a precious resource. One eco-friendly option is to replace all that turf with plants indigenous to your region, which will require less water and look far prettier than any plain ol’ square of green grass every could.  Start a xeriscaping movement on your street. 

Plastic is filling the oceans- let's use less of it and it's not that hard to do!

More Ways to Avoid Plastic

• Jars. So many jars. For salads, soups, sauces, juice, opened packages of things. Just jars. Lots of jars.

• Aluminum foil is a great stand-in for plastic wrap and can be easily recycled or saved for reuse.

• Wax paper is great for wrapping sandwiches. So are reusable sandwich pouches you can make or purchase; many close with Velcro and are easy to launder or wipe clean.

• Reuse empty yogurt, sour cream, or cream cheese containers. You’ve already got them and you have to wash them before tossing them into the recycling bin anyway, so you may as well use them again.

• Invest in reusable lunch containers like bento boxes or tiffins to avoid waste when sending off your little one (or yourself) with a bagged lunch.

I Love Big Bags and I Cannot Lie

Bring reusable shopping bags when heading to the store. Whether you are grocery shopping or heading out with friends to splurge on clothes, take your own bags with you. Many stores have totes and reusable bags for a few dollars by the checkout lines and these are more durable, hold more objects, and last much longer than the flimsy plastic and paper bags we get from supermarkets, which are not biodegradable. Additionally, reusable shopping bags are a great way to “go green” and help the environment by using less plastic and cutting down less trees.

April showers, right?

Making the Most of a Rainy Day

Get a rain barrel:

• Install the rain barrel at least six feet from your house. Locating it near the area you’ll be watering the most makes for convenient use later.

• Ensure that your rain barrel has an overflow at least as large as your inflow—for example, if you have rigged it so that water is collected directly from your eaves’ trough downspout, your overflow valve should be as large as your downspout as well. This will allow your barrel to get rid of excess water as fast as it collects it, which might be necessary if you live in a city with crazy, unpredictable weather like my brother does.

• If you are using the rain barrel to water your garden, consider using a soaker hose. You can attach the hose to the rain barrel and then run it through your garden so that it covers the area you’d like.  Now, every time you see a rain cloud, you’ll get really excited!

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

This is the day to acknowledge your connection to your home planet and all the nurturing nature, bounty and beauty you receive from this big blue dot. April 22nd is Earth Day, celebrated annually in over 184 countries in the effort for a healthy environment and a peaceful planet. Earth Day inspires grassroots communities to hold events and actions to educate and spread awareness. Earth Day celebrates our connection with nature, bringing awareness that each one of us is responsible for the destruction or abundance of our natural world...the only one we have. Earth Day makes us realize that each of us has a voice and every one of our actions matters; collectively great things happen. Celebrate Earth Day by joining an organized group and help clear beaches, parks and wasteland of cans, paper plastic, bottles, trash. God out with your family and friends, or go out alone. Look around in your neighborhood to see what needs to be done, petition your local government for more trees, cleaner waterways, and an end to industrial pollution. Use earth-friendly chemicals; recycle paper, cans, and green stuff.

Log onto www.earthday.org or check your local press to find out what is happening in your area, how to organize your own event, or what commitment you could make in your own small way to help save our Earth...and then make every day Earth Day. 

Invitations To Life’s Rich Banquet

If you see a uniformed soldier or veteran in a restaurant, arrange to pay for their meal. Anonymously is perfect unless you want to thank them personally and “enlist” a new friend into your life!

Calling all sun-worshippers

Solar ovens are inexpensive to buy, easy to use, and you’ll cook for free every time you use one. Solar ovens cook food without using electricity, fossil fuels, or propane. Food cooked in a solar oven retains all vitamins and minerals. Solar ovens also pasteurize water for drinking. A solar oven is perfect for your emergency supply kit. Check out www.solarovens.org to see the great work this nonprofit is doing with solar ovens in Third World countries. Go solar and really worship the sun.

Need a hug?

Be an indiscriminate hugger. When I first moved to California, I was a bit taken aback by all the hugging. Now, I love it. Be a hugger.  A hug is a mutual act of love and affection that induces feelings of comfort, contentment and security.  Hugs are one of the must beautifully human things we can do. 

What can you contribute to the “Gift Economy”

Free markets are one of the benefits of the bumpy economy wherein people figured out ways to liven in cooperation. It is one of my absolute favorite examples of a gift economy, where people come together with items to give away or share. A free market can move around freely and is a lot easier to realize than a free box. The Really Really Free Market (www.reallyreally free.org) is a great prototype. It is a pure gift economy where no money changes hands. Participants simply bring their offerings and display them communally.

People also bring their expertise and talents to share: lawyers, musicians, jugglers, gardeners, ecologists, hairdressers, tarot readers, and cookie bakers are all there enjoying this unique marketplace. The free market constitutes an entirely different economic system that can provide as much diversity as the market economy, and for free!

The Really Really Free Market website lists 34 regular free markets happening in states across the US and another 10 or so worldwide in places like Perth, Australia. Yours could be the next.

And Don’t Forget the Senseless Acts of Beauty!

Ann Herbert, the poet artist who inspired Random Acts of Kindness, also implored us to add prettiness to the world.  There are so many ways to do this, plant flowers, pick up trash, and paint a lovely mural for the entire neighborhood’s pleasure. 

What beauty can you bring to the world

Be a Fixer-Upper

Did you know weeding is good therapy?

Assist seniors near you with tasks like raking, shoveling, or doing minor home repairs through Volunteers of America’s Safety of Seniors Handyman Program (voa.org). I pull my 98 year-old neighbor’s weeds and it is good exercise for me, beautifies the neighborhood and she appreciates the weekly attention she and her yard enjoy!

No strings attached

Write down the things that someone has given you, no strings attached, for which you are grateful. It can be an old sofa, some sound advice, or a lift to the airport. Now list ten things that you would like to give someone yourself, and see how many of those things you can cross off in a week.

Examples:

Drive a friend to the airport

Carry groceries for an elder to their car

Baby-sit for a relative

Buy a friend a cup of coffee

Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Did you know today is Earth Hour Day?

Participate in Earth Hour today, beginning at 8:30pm in the United States, and turn off all of the lights in your home for one hour. Earth Hour unites millions of people around the world and gives them the hope that together we can make a difference. Visit http://earthhour.org/ for more information. Take this hour to sit with your significant other or invite some pals over for a candlelit evening of togetherness. Just be. Together.