Dreams to Me

Always remember the dreams you had have for yourself.  They may just see you through to the next day.

{Image via Pinterest}

Walking Through

Starting a new challenge can be difficult.  The hardest part is sometimes remembering why you accepted it in the first place.  Once all the questions are put to the wayside though you'll find amazing things will happen.  New doors open, and the little things you enjoyed before become all the more worthwhile. 

{Image Via}

'Tis the Season

The holidays are my favorite time year, as they are for many others.  Each year they usually mean something different than the years past.  This year I've found I haven't over-indulged myself [yet] in decorating, movies, or even shopping.  Rather I've found myself thinking twice about the simple things, the very basic tasks, that I do everyday for myself that not everyone can do with such ease.  Buying a couple extra items of non-perishables at the grocery and drug stores.  Noticing the boxes at store fronts asking for toys for strangers and helping to fill up a little space in it.  Handing out extras of food to the man on the street who wishes a "happy holidays," but very well may not have a roof to spend them under.  It's rather easy to think twice.  The challenge is always doing it.  Once you do though you find how rather simple it can be for most.

{Image via Note to Self}

Give

This may just be my most favorite week of the year.  Thanksgiving week has a little bit of all that makes life sweet.  Reunions with friends, family dinners, delicious feasts, good drinks, and the thrill of the sale. I've always found it important this week, more so than any other, to enjoy the little things and take things in stride.  Take time to relax and give thanks.  Don't pass up any invites that may come along your way either though.  {After all it was the thousands of other invites along the way that got you to where you are.}  Most importantly though show your thanks.  Give compliments to the chefs, be the gracious guest that brings a token of appreciation, call up that friend you've been thinking of, and remember those who aren't as fortunate.  Be well.


Image via The Vamoose

Do Your Part

The BP oil spill is exactly what it looks like:  a disaster.  It is one of the few disasters, however, where just one finger can't point all the blame.  It is partly the government's, in large part BP's, and even more in human error.  Our lack of persistence in finding alternative energy and independence from fossil fuels is a huge reason why we're on day 58 of watching that dreadful live feed from the bottom of the Gulf.  No matter what political party you stand for, or your feelings towards corporate responsibility, we all have reason to do whatever we can to get this mess cleaned up.  Find out ways you can help at CNN.

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Help. Haiti. Hope.

It's hard for many of us to imagine our world being completely shaken upside down. In just the blink of an eye, with no one to blame that is what has happened to the people of Haiti. A country that already had very little, is now looking with uncertain eyes at what to do next. We all see the television and newspaper stories wanting to help, but most of the time we just walk away from it. Times are tough and troubled everywhere, true. However, there are plenty of ways to contribute to the mounting causes in Haiti that don't require just writing out a huge check. Here are a few ways you can give your part:

• Donating blood can directly save multiple lives. Make an appointment with the American Red Cross today.
• Usually our eyes become bigger than our stomachs at the grocery store. As a result, most of our pantries experience food surpluses. HudsonAlpha and Trinity United Methodist Church have launched a national food drive for non-perishable items.
• Before you start shopping for your spring wardrobes, take a look in your closet. If you haven't worn something in over a year, or forgot you even owned an item it's probably a great thing to donate.
• Airline Ambassadors is collecting everything from blankets to frequent flyer miles. If you're packing for an upcoming trip and come across some unneeded items, or could spare some miles on the next one you book, keep this organization in mind.
• Haiti 911 is appreciative of donations of all kinds. Find a drop-off location in your area.
• Of course your fiscal donations do go a long way. Yele will make sure it will have a quick and direct impact on the Haitian people and areas in dire need.

If any of you happens to see an injustice, you are no longer a spectator, you are a participant. And you have an obligation to do something. --June Callwood

Wish Hard

The most fun part of the holiday season is that it inspires a lot of wishes. Everyone has wishes; some are big, but many are quite small. My friend Julie Zick had a wish a few years ago that those battling lukemia be given a chance for a cure. In Seattle, Washington, Anna Robinson wished someone could help her fight her battle with that same disease. Both Julie and Anna got their wish. Julie started a bone marrow drive at the University of Missouri, which has become one of the largest in the country. Anna, found a cell match that was willing to donate to her from the same drive Julie started. Both of those are just small wishes. All they require is a helping hand.

Wishes, if you look and listen carefully, are everywhere. It may be that person at work who just caught a cold, or that great idea looking for a little nudge. We all should make wishes whenever we can, because in doing so we feel better and give ourselves hope. Many wishes are, in fact, granted. Of course this can only be done by the actions and words of someone else. So maybe this holiday season we should challenge ourselves to grant as many wishes as we make. After all, it is the only other thing you can do with one.

"Kindness in giving creates love."--Lao Tzu

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*Top artwork from Keri Smith

A Time to Give

One of the most easily found truths in this world is that time is easily wasted. Many minutes and hours of my week go to waste getting lost on the internet, talking on the phone, or throwing an outfit together that will undoubtedly get overturned by another. As a result things go undone. The laundry will still lie in a heap, that run to the bank gets pushed to the next day, and new ideas remain just as that. With all the time that goes wasted in my week, I can at least look at an hour and a half of it and know that some good has been done in this world.

Every Thursday night I tutor middle school children at an organization called Firm Foundation in one of the more underdeveloped and ignored parts of St. Louis City. The most enjoyable part of this experience is that the majority of the children that come are refugees from Africa, Somalia, and Iraq. They are kids who live in what we consider to be impoverished areas here, but see hope and opportunity compared to where they came from. Moreover, they are kids who are determined to learn. Some Thursdays I am so exhausted from work all I can think about is sleeping. Usually those are the Thursdays I have a greater appreciation for the smiles on these kids faces from getting all their math equations correct or successfully reading their ESL lesson.

I go through the week wasting a lot of time: worrying about having enough spare cash for that great outfit, or what style rug I want for my living room. In this upcoming week of thanks, I look at the fact that I should be grateful for even being able to worry about these simple things in life. We all have things that need to get done during our days. However, nothing is more important than giving back some time in gratitude for all we have accumulated in our lives, including wonderful educations. You'll even still have some to waste if you do.

*Top photograph by artist Neil Das. Visit his work at The Dassler Effect.

A Worthy Cause

So much is often made of the bad, negatives, and evils in the world. As a result, we often lose sight of the good and hopeful spots. Recently I ran into an old friend, Annie, who is giving a year of her life to help prevent the spread of HIV & AIDS in Africa by working for Grassroots Soccer, Inc. Part of her work responsibilities is raising $10,000 in aid. One of my favorite quotes that I always try to remember is from fashion designer Donna Karan, who says:

"Peace on Earth begins within. How you love, how you share, how you give yourself makes all the difference in the world. Let your passion guide you and get you in touch with those causes that touch your heart. Be well."

It is my opinion that any time you personally know someone who is giving a significant amount of their time and energy to helping make the world a better place, the cause should be close to your heart. Of course there are many other reasons why causes could or should mean a lot to you as well. Right now people are facing tough times and obstacles, but if you have just even a small amount of time or resources, please check out Annie's blog about her cause: AnnieHinAfrica