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

 

 

25 Days of Spreading Love – A countdown to Christmas: Dec. 13

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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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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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For the original idea, please go here.

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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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. 8

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For the original idea, please go here.

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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For the original idea, please go here.

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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For the original idea, please go here.

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