Give an Hour of Your Time

    Talk to United State troops. Give An Hour (giveanhour.org) is a nonprofit organization that provides free counseling to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, including their families. This is a great way to show your support to the military while making space for needed mental health services.

An Extra Hour to Do Lots of Good

    When you turn your clocks back one hour for daylight savings, 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 you didn’t? Here is one great way to spend that hour: cruise over to myphilanthropedia.org to find your perfect match of an organization to donate to or volunteer with. I learned about this website from a TED Talk and discovered this vital service. Philanthropedia rates verified, financially responsible charities according to how much great work they’re doing. Today, 3,121 experts have participated in Philanthropedia’s research, providing reviews on 767 top nonprofits across 36 causes. I have bookmarked this on my desktop and check in often.

Make Time for What Matters

    Been meaning to spend more time with your family? Are you putting off errands? Is there not enough time to volunteer, go for a walk, or make dinner? Make time. Once you commit to something and begin to make a habit of it, you will be more likely to continue instead of saying, “I would like to, but I don’t have enough time.” You have the time; you just need to find it.

Service

    “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.

Earth Hour Day

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

Make Amends

    It's never too late to say you're sorry. Apologies to someone you wronged in the past, especially if you stopped communicating because of the issue. By admitting fault and letting them know how sorry you are to have hurt them, you are taking responsibility for your actions and proving that you care enough for them to make things right. However bad you felt over the problem, you will feel five times better after making peace.

Karma on Wheels

     Slow down and let other drivers merge and go ahead of you. Allow every pedestrian to amble across the street, the slower the better. Is that extra five minutes of driving time going to ruin your life? No, but being a patient, safe, and nice driver will make the ride all the more pleasant and will send a ray of goodness in your wake.