love

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 12

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13 Days till Christmas – spreading love through cooking.

I am one of those who believe in the power of food.

I’m Sicilian and my family has incorporated food into our very way of being, from the passed-down recipes to the regular Sunday afternoon dinners where pasta is the first course. Perhaps it’s in my blood but I adore real food and I adore it most when I am enjoying it with others.

Fresh vegetables and lean protein are two of my husband’s favorite things. He’s had a long week and has been working very hard.

Today, I want to spread the love toward my new husband through cooking. I know what he likes and I decided to put my love into food and prepare for him one of his favorite meals – beef stew. I’m also making some chocolate chip cookies for him to have as a treat over the weekend.

Showing one’s love through food is an excellent way to nourish both the belly and the soul. And when you do it for someone you love, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 11

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14 Days till Christmas – spreading love by undo’ing a wrong.

Back in September, I left the restaurant I was serving at to go to another one. I had worked there for three years, the same lunch shifts, and had gathered a little collection of regulars.

One of them was a very kind elderly woman who would treat herself to a nice lunch every few months. She would dine by herself and I often chatted with her. When the shift was slow, we would talk for a quite a bit and I enjoyed seeing her. I knew what she liked, how she liked it and I made sure she got it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to see her in the weeks before I left. A few weeks after I was gone though, a former co-worker from that restaurant texted me to let me know this sweet lady had been in and asked about me. She gave him her number to pass on to me so I could tell her where I am now.

Such a sweet thing.

And I never called her.

In my defense, I was about to be married and then go on my honeymoon but that’s no excuse. I messed up.

Here it is now, over three months later, and I decided that today I would spread the love by undo’ing a wrong.

I found the text with her number on my phone and called her. No one answered so I left her a message with my number. I hope she calls me back.

Mistakes will be made; but it’s what we do about them that matters.

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

***UPDATE***
She called me back and we had a lovely conversation. I apologized for the delay in the call. She graciously understood. We caught up a bit and then she told me how much she appreciated my call and how happy it made her. I told her it made me happy too and I meant every word of it. And she can’t wait to come visit me at the new restaurant I’m at… #spreadthelove

 

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 10

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15 Days till Christmas – spreading love by backing a Kickstarter film

As a filmmaker, who has run a successful Kickstarter campaign that was anything but easy to do, today I decided to spread the love by supporting a fellow filmmaker through this popular crowd-funding platform.

I went on the site and browsed through the various campaigns in the film category. I spent quite a while, to be honest, as nothing was grabbing me…

That is, until I noticed a little post about a documentary on the making of Kalamata olive oil in Greece: (and the filmmaker is a teenager!)

 

I decided to donate to this campaign. I hope he gets to make his film. Check it out above!

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 9

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16 Days till Christmas – spreading love by supporting local businesses

When I looked at my schedule and saw that today I had an appointment at a salon I’ve been patronizing for almost twenty years, it got me thinking.

Supporting local businesses is something easy to talk about but do I often do it? As long as value for value is given, I started to wonder why I don’t search out more local businesses to patronize?

It’s kinda a no-brainer, right? I mean, it gives back to the community I live in and helps support part of the very fabric that makes America great – small business owners.

So today, I decided to spread the love by supporting local businesses.

Instead of running into the convenience store at a big gas station chain, I decided to go to the small local grocery market right near home and buy my bottle of sparkling water there (which was about the same price!)

Then I drank it as I drove to see my favorite beauty guru, a business owner who has run her successful salon since the late 1980s.

This was followed by doing a little work at a local coffeehouse, which was recommended to me by a fellow co-worker. Rather than just pop into the nearest branded coffeehouse, I sought this little gem out and purchased a delicious hot tea there.

I also did some quick research on ways to support local businesses. Recommendations are excellent. Word of mouth is king, in any business. (I supported one today based off of what someone told me!) Also, giving local businesses honest rave reviews and supporting them through social media are excellent ways to help too, which is why I decided to choose two of my favorite local businesses and give them great reviews on Yelp. And this is just a start…

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 8

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17 Days till Christmas – spreading love by calling my grandparents

I grew up as a first generation American in a Sicilian immigrant family. And some of my fondest childhood memories are of being at my grandparent’s house.

They not only loved me (and my siblings and cousins) immensely but also kept our cultural heritage alive and well.

From the backyard vegetable garden to the passed-down sauce recipe. From the family gatherings to the black and white photos of coming to America by ship. My grandparents helped in making me appreciate where I come from.

I try to appreciate them and stay connected but sometimes, I fail.

For today, I chose to spread the love by picking up the phone and calling my grandparents. They were pleasantly surprised. My grandmother and I chatted for over twenty minutes, catching up and swapping memories. It was absolutely wonderful. I even made her laugh a few times.

Sure, the world moves fast. And yes, there are only so many hours in the day. But shouldn’t calling (and visiting) loved ones be a part of it?

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 7

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18 Days till Christmas – spreading love by helping a co-worker

A week or two ago, I was asked by a co-worker if I could help cover some shifts for him right after Christmas. I told him it was a little early to know what my schedule would be like at the time but that I’d get back to him.

Flash forward to now and I know what I’ll be doing around the holidays. Though I wasn’t planning on working right after Christmas, I’m going to be in town and my schedule allows it.

For today, I spread the love by helping a co-worker. I told him I’ll be able to cover both of his shifts and wished him happy holidays. He was happy. And it felt good to help someone out.

Helping others puts positive energy in the world that not only swirls all around you but feels good for everyone involved. I really need to do this more often…

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 6

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19 Days till Christmas – Spreading love with a child’s birthday

Is there any better sound in this world than a child’s laugh?

I don’t think so. It’s music, really.

I have two nephews and they mean the absolute world to me. I had never experienced unconditional love before meeting them. And I decided when the first was born that I would see them at least every week for as long as I am physically able to (and they let me) to let them know I’m here for them, I love them and they can count on me.

Let me back pedal a moment.

My favorite movie in the entire universe is a small film called “You Can Count On Me.” It’s a story about two siblings who are very different from one another but lost their parents early on in life and since then, they went their separate ways but always remained true to the promise they made as kids – that they could count on each other. No other film has touched me the way this film has and continues to, for many reasons that I won’t get into here, but I bring it up because one of the things this beautiful film explores is the idea of people counting on each other, truly being able to count on each other, and I found it a rare and beautiful thing.

And it’s my pledge to my nephews.

Today was one of their birthdays. So I decided to spread the love by making sure the four year old had a wonderful birthday, along with his father, grandparents and uncle. Judging by the sound of his laughter, I’d say we achieved that.

Is there any better sight than seeing a child smile?

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 5

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20 Days till Christmas – spreading love by loving myself and the one closest to me. 

Life moves fast and often times I move fast right along with it. My husband though is a little different. And he helps me take time to be in the present moment.

So when this morning, as we were waking, he asked, “Want to start the day with a walk on the beach?” I said yes immediately, something I don’t normally do. But I know how much he loves these walks and how much he loves when I join him, so rather than say no because of the list of things I wanted to get done before work, I replied yes. For him. And for me. (The stuff will still get done; it’s simply a matter of shifting my hierarchy of what comes first and examining exactly how I use my time…)

Walking hand in hand, my husband and I breathed in the fresh ocean air as we talked about life. We even made a friend.

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Today I chose to spread the love by being in the moment for my husband and myself.

Loving oneself and those closest to us is not something to do yearly or only on birthdays. It’s something to do everyday.

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 4

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21 Days till Christmas – spreading love with holiday cheer

For our first Christmas as a married couple, my husband and I decided to upgrade our Christmas tree. Instead of the grocery store three-footer we normally get, we drove to a lot and picked out a grown up tree. We went to one that was run by a Kiwanis Club, an organization that helps its local community, and all the proceeds go to charity.

Holiday cheer may seem simple. And it can mean different things to different people, depending on the holiday one is celebrating. To some, its purpose may be religious. To others, it’s a frivolous affair. And even to others, it’s a time to eat good food and be around people they love.

Whatever the reason, holidays have a way of bringing people together and well, isn’t that a beautiful thing?

So this year, my husband and I went all out. We strung lights, hung decorations, made gingerbread cookies and are now about to retire to bed to watch Chevy Chase flex his hilarious holiday muscles as he takes us on a vacation…

Happy Holidays!!

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 3

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For the original idea, please go here.

22 Days till Christmas – spreading love with a friend

A little while ago, I was listening to a filmmaker talk during a panel discussion and he mentioned how he was good at being a filmmaker, a dad and a husband but not so good at being a friend.

That’s always stuck with me. I understand what prioritizing is all about and how friendships can be difficult to maintain when other things come before them.

But a beautiful thing about friendships is that the door can always remain open. And I truly appreciate my friends who understand the way I prioritize my life.

I had made plans to go to a dear friend’s place for tea today. We haven’t had one-on-one time in months. I decided to go to her and spend the couple hours we had (before I had to go to work) just listening and being there for her.

The universe works in mysterious ways. She actually needed to talk about something and I had no idea. We spent our visit doing just that.

I think more times than not, being a friend means just listening. And rather than judging, just sharing your thoughts.

 

Spread the love. #spreadthelove