holidays

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 23

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2 Days till Christmas – spreading love by participating in a potluck

At work today, there was a potluck family meal. We were invited to bring whatever we wanted to share with our co-workers.

Typically, I would grab something real quick on my way and be done with it. Potlucks have never been my favorite thing.

But  not today. In an effort to spread love (and food is a wonderful way to do that!), I chose to take the time to prepare a dish. I even looked up potluck recipes from which I selected a three-bean salad.

It was interesting to see what people brought. And it was fun to try things I’ve never tried before. It was also very delicious to have so many dessert options, not to mention these little unbelievable meringues!

Overall, the potluck ended up being good food, good company and a good time.

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
-James Beard

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 22

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3 Days till Christmas – spreading love by spending time with one of my oldest friends

And by oldest, I don’t mean age. I mean length of time of friendship.

There are a couple girls whom I’ve known since my college days that have remained a constant in my life. And while we don’t see each other all that often (living in different cities), it never matters. It’s quality over quantity. And as soon as we’re in the same room again, it’s like time hasn’t moved and we can pick up right where we left off.

I cherish this not only because it’s rare but because it’s valuable to me. A friendship that has spanned over the course of twenty years is not something to take lightly. It’s something to be appreciated for what it is.

And tonight, I was given the opportunity to show my love and appreciation for one of my oldest friends. We’ve known each other for twenty years and have seen each other at our worsts and bests. And I adore her.

She’s in town for the holidays and graciously made time to come visit me.

Tonight, I made her dinner. As she looked through my wedding photos, we chatted about our lives and the direction they’ve gone. She caught up with my husband. And as we ate cheese ravioli with a vodka cream sauce, we reminisced about days gone and spoke of our plans for the future.

Spending time with old friends is a most lovely way to spread love. And I highly recommend it.

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 21

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4 Days till Christmas – spreading love by showing my appreciation

My husband and I do a lot of shipping for both business and personal needs. And we use the USPS for much of it, though we try to conduct the bulk of our transactions online because, well… come on. Have you been inside a post office lately? Those lines move slow…

But our postman does not. He is always helpful, always willing to climb up the stairs to our place to drop off a package or pick some up and he always has a smile on his face. When we came back from our honeymoon, our postman had our mail all ready for us, making the whole “hold mail” process seamless.

I believe acknowledgment of someone doing a good job will show that person that their efforts have not gone unnoticed and are in fact greatly appreciated. So, in an effort to appreciate the hard work our postman does, my husband and I decided to spread the love by giving him a Christmas gift. We picked up a Target gift card and wrote him a Thank You/Christmas card that we’ll hand deliver as soon as we see him.

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.”
-Dalai Lama

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 20

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5 Days till Christmas – spreading love by supporting Wikipedia

Wikipedia is an online free encyclopedia.

Now sure, you probably already knew that. But did you know the site is run by a non-profit? And that it has remained ad-free since its inception?

Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, has purposely kept the site free of advertisements. He manages to sustain this popular knowledge site through donations from its readers. In Wales own words, taken from the site:

Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world.
Commerce is fine. Advertising is not evil. But it doesn’t belong here. Not in Wikipedia.
Wikipedia is something special. It is like a library or a public park. It is like a temple for the mind. It is a place we can all go to think, to learn, to share our knowledge with others.
When I founded Wikipedia, I could have made it into a for-profit company with advertising banners, but I decided to do something different. We’ve worked hard over the years to keep it lean and tight. We fulfill our mission efficiently.

Every year, Wikipedia runs a fundraiser in December. 

And in an effort to keep the site ad-free and user-driven, I donate every year.

For today, I chose to spread the love by donating to a foundation that runs a website I use weekly, if not daily.

If you too would like to donate to keep Wikipedia the helpful resource it is for all of us, you can do so here!

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 19

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6 Days till Christmas – spreading love by making my nephews smile

As I’ve asked before, is there anything better than seeing a child smile and hearing them laugh?

I really don’t think so. It’s a beautiful thing when a child is genuinely happy.

Not only are children the future, but adults are too because it’s their job to help children to have as great of lives as possible. Of course, I don’t mean there aren’t going to be days of tears and discipline but I do mean that the love and care we give them will guide them as they learn and grow.

By choice, I don’t have children of my own unless you count my films (which I do), but I do take my role in children’s lives very seriously, whether it be as their aunt or godmother or simply as an adult figure.

Today, to spread love, I decided to spend the afternoon with my nephews. While this is a common thing I do, it doesn’t make it any less special and it’s one of the most important ways I choose to spread love.

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”
– James Arthur Baldwin

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 18

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7 Days till Christmas – spreading love by volunteering

My husband and I wanted to volunteer our time this holiday season to help those who are less fortunate.

In Santa Monica, there is a wonderful organization called One Voice LA. They help families at poverty level within our local communities. Every year they do a Holiday Food Program. Children receive toys and books and adults receive an overflowing basket of food. Tonight, my husband and I were two of the many volunteers it takes to make this happen. Along with people of all ages and cultures, we filled boxes full of food and then helped load them onto trucks. People from all walks of life, varying in ages and races, got to work tonight.

This is a four-day event and there are two more days left. Perhaps if you are in the area, you might consider volunteering as well. Information can be found here.

A beautiful part of humanity is the fact that we are all in this together.

The older I get, the more I realize, the holiday spirit is one of family, gratitude and philanthropy.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
– Aesop

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 17

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For the original idea, please go here.

8 Days till Christmas – spreading love by being there for someone

Today, as I was thinking about a way to spread the love, a way found me.

I knew someone I loved was not feeling very well but had commitments that were very important. I offered to help but she declined needing any. I offered again, letting her know that if she did need any, she should call me. She said thank you but she would be okay.

A little later, she did call and she asked for my help. Without hesitation, I stopped what I was doing (fortunately, I was working from home today and could), jumped in my car, dealt with traffic and made it to her.

It felt good to be there for someone who needed me.

Days go by fast and it’s easy to get caught up in one’s own life. But I realized today, a wonderful way to spread love is to be in the moment and pay attention to those you care for so you can notice if they need help and then let them know you’re there to offer it.

Had I not let my loved one know I was there to help, I wonder if she would have called. I guess I’ll never know but I sure am glad I was paying attention…

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 16

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9 Days till Christmas – spreading love by following through.

It’s very easy to agree to do something and then not follow through. Am I right?

The hard part is the actual doing. I try to only agree to things that I plan to follow through on but sometimes, something will slip through the cracks or I’ll sit on it for a long, long time. Neither are helpful.

Today, I decided to spread the love by doing something that I said I would for my mother but haven’t done yet.

Months and months ago, I agreed to do some research on some antique items she had. I took the items home and had all the good intentions in the world but one thing led to another, and now, here it is way-too-many months later, and I still haven’t done a thing about them.

Well, that ended today. I did the research, reported back to her (after apologizing for the large delay) and will now try to help in whatever she plans to do with the items.

Following through…

It’s easy to say you’ll do something.

But what does it matter if you don’t actually do it?

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 15

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10 Days till Christmas – spreading love with supportive online shopping

I know. At first glance, that statement is a little suspicious. But please, allow me to explain…

As I was thinking of ways to spread love today, I remembered reading about an organization called Made By Survivors. For a few Christmases, I did a chunk of shopping through their online store, which has items and jewelry and clothing all made by survivors of slavery and human rights abuses.

For today, I decided to spread the love by doing a little supportive online shopping with them.

Here’s a little about the organization, as described on their own Made By Survivors website:

“SINCE 2005, MADE BY SURVIVORS HAS PROVIDED JOBS, EDUCATION AND SHELTER TO OVER A THOUSAND SURVIVORS OF SLAVERY, CHILD MARRIAGE, AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN INDIA, NEPAL, CAMBODIA AND THAILAND, WHERE HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A HUGE PROBLEM.  

We train survivors and create jobs in highly respected professions, with high wages that develop business and entrepreneurial skills. One of our most successful programs is our Jewelry Program. In India, metalsmithing is traditionally a male-only profession. Our survivor-metalsmiths are breaking gender barriers, earning a middle class wage, rescuing others, and uplifting their families and communities.”

Perhaps if you have a little holiday shopping left, you might consider the beautiful selection of items in the Made By Survivors store that can be found right here.

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 14

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For the original idea, please go here.

11 Days till Christmas – spreading love through a surprise gift

Yesterday, while I was at work, one of the cooks who was working nearby the area I was organizing asked if he could ask me a question. I said, “Sure.” He then asked me in a curious way, “How are you always so positive?”

I’ve been asked this question before. And I try to appreciate the observation by answering with truth.

I explain, “I consider the alternative – death – and I’m happy to have another day.” I also mention that I’m not always positive. I definitely have my moments but I try to limit those with positivity and realistic optimism.

I spoke of my belief in positive energy and the flow of it in nature. I’ve experienced the reciprocative effects of putting positive energy out into the world and I’m a firm believer in it.

Positive energy comes back to you.

We also chatted a little about how many things aren’t worth the time or trouble of getting upset. And though I am not a religious person per se, I did mention this Serenity Prayer and how it helps guide me:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Today, for my spread the love project, I decided to bring this cook a Christmas present. I went out and bought a favorite book of mine, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” and I plan to give it to him tonight. Perhaps it can help in his journey toward positivity like it did in mine…

Spread the love. #spreadthelove