holidays

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. 13

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For the original idea, please go here.

12 Days till Christmas – spreading love through donating.

As I was thinking about how to spread the love today, I remembered reading an article about charity donations and how much one gives to them actually makes it to those in need. I remember reading how some charity organizations paid their CEOS salaries in the high six figures and was outraged at the thought.

Today, I researched it more. It turns out the article that was circulating years ago about this was highly inaccurate and places like The Goodwill got a bum rap. So I did my own due diligence and researched nearby charity organizations that accepted donations of used things.

Using the website charitynavigator.org, I was able to research various charities in my area to find out their effectiveness. Turns out Goodwill of Southern California has a 91.2% rating with solid financial information and transparency so I decided to give a donation to them.

My husband and I went through our apartment and gathered things to donate. We ended up with two filled bags, mostly of clothes and household items.

I’m thinking, rather than simply throw something away, why not assess if there’s still value left in it and if so, pass it on?

One’s man trash is another man’s treasure. (Not to mention recycling used items is helpful to the environment!)

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

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

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For the original idea, please go here.

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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For the original idea, please go here.

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. 9

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For the original idea, please go here.

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. 4

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For the original idea, please go here.

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. 1

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For the original idea, please go here.

25 Days to Go – spreading love at yoga

I recently signed up for yoga classes at a studio near my home. Today I tried something called Kundalini and Meditation. It balances deep breathing techniques with body movement that’s both peaceful and emotional. Chanting and meditation are part of it as well.

During the practice, I couldn’t help but notice the participant right next to me because she was breathing very loudly. It was difficult to focus with the intense huffing and puffing that was taking place an arm’s length away from me.

My first impulse was to roll my eyes and try to figure out a way to discreetly move my mat.

But then, I realized this was a great opportunity to spread some love.

Rather than roll my eyes, I smiled at her.

Minutes later, the instructor had us all form a circle for a healing meditation. She mentioned someone could lay in the center if they wished. A minute later, my nearby yoga breather claimed it.

After the chant, as we all returned to our mats, the one from the center stood and thanked everyone for her experience. No one seemed to be paying much attention to her. No response was given by anyone.

So I continued to smile and nod and listen to what she was saying. After she was done, I told that her experience sounded cool and gave her another smile. She smiled back, happy to share.

Spread the love. #spreadthelove

Ways to know the Christmas Holiday Season is officially over

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It’s another new year! Whoo Hooo!! And it’s put me in the mood for another top eleven list (and again, for any new readers, eleven is my favorite number so my lists tend to be for that amount…) I have been noticing some signs that the Christmas Holiday Season is over and it got me thinking…

Eleven Ways to Know the Christmas Holiday Season is Officially Over

1. Most streets look like death row for trees.

2. You notice your romantic relationship either deepened or grew a bit apart. (And for those flying solo, you either embraced your singleness or cried about it.)

3. The phrase “You better be good or Santa will know!” no longer has the effect you’re going for when saying to young children.

4. You realize how much paper is actually wasted during the holiday season while you desperately attempt to stuff your recyclables into the tiny blue container.

5. Everyone suddenly has to go to the gym/do yoga/run a marathon.

6. Most of the gifts you bought are now selling for 75% off.

7. You now have the absolute right to ask for any Christmas music to be turned off.

8. You wonder what exactly you spent all your money on.

9. The stores are lining their shelves with Valentine’s Day gifts.

10. The guilt of what you put inside yourself is almost too much to bear.

11. Taxes replace good cheer.