Message of Kindness

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness." -Seneca

Day four of my week of giving during the Christmas season brings us to doing something simple but has a great impact. Today I am talking about spreading a little bit of encouragement and kindness, all from the quiet and easy keyboard on your computer.

The Childrens Hospital of Atlanta where more than 1200 children (1280 to be exact) will remain hospitalized through the holiday season. These are kids that have varying medical issues that prevent them from being home with their siblings and parents. While I am sure they will have visitors and presents to open, not being able to wake up Christmas morning and running downstairs to the tree would be missed by anyone under these conditions.

So what you can do is go to Childrens Hospital of Atlanta and write a message of encouragement and hope. Simply let these kids know that others know they are in a hopsital, unable to attend the Christmas program at school, attend Christmas Eve service, or sit around the Christmas Tree unwrapping presents. A message to offer hope and encouragement that there will be plenty of Christmas Days in their future.

Along with sending a message, watch the video and Verizon will donate $1 for every message sent up to 25,000 messages.

The monies will go to benefit programs in support of children at CHOA (Childrens Hospital of Atlanta). Then write your message and starting on December 15th, the hospital will be delivering your messages during the last two weeks of the year and sharing them with the patients over closed-circuit TVs throughout the hospital.

The idea of a few simple kind words will light up the face of a child with smiles and give them greater strength to overcome. It will brighten their Christmas just knowing that others are thinking of them. Remember each time you see your name on the television or in a newspaper, if even for the smallest of things, it was and is a big deal. Now think of a child in the hospital, battling for health, battling for a return to a normal childhood seeing their name on the television.

A simple act of kindness from a stranger can be powerful to them. A simple act of kindness given from you.

Stay inspired my friends.

Christmas at the Quinn House

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." -Mother Teresa

The third day of our 'giving back' week during the Christmas season is here and today I am highlighting the Quinn House in Lawrenceville, GA. This organization is involved in assisting individuals and families on all levels in Gwinnett County of Georgia. It is quite like many different organizations throughout the area, state and country. These folks genuinely care for those that need an extra hand in life.

And like many others, they are in need of many items for their food pantry. And even though they do provide food to those in need, they also provide clothing, and shelter to the homeless. So your tax deductible donations are greatly needed as well.

I tell you this not only because it is the Christmas season and people tend to be in a much more giving mood. I tell you this because even the homeless and needy exist during this time of the year as well as the rest of the year. They not only survive during the summer heat but have to survive during the cold winters. Families scraping to get by due to circumstances of life still want to have a warm place to sleep. They want to feed their children and themselves a hot meal once in a while. They want to have a joyous Christmas.

Sounds familiar to each one of us, those basic needs in life that we some times take for granted. So while you are out buying presents for family and friends, pick up an extra gift for someone in need. While out buying all of that food for a grand Christmas dinner, buy some extra food and donate it to the Quinn House food pantry (see the list link above). And finally while paying bills during this final month of the year, write a check to an organization that helps those in need.

A little bit from a lot of people goes a long ways. Help out those organizations in your community during the Christmas season. Then let it become habit and help them out throughout the year. Your small gesture of kindness and giving will have a huge impact on others. It will have a huge impact on your own heart as well.

Stay inspired my friends.

ReStore Others, ReStore You

"By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade." -Desiderius Erasmus

As I continue this "week of giving" there is so much that you can choose to do. My self-proclaimed week is meant to draw attention to areas in which you can enage and impact the lives of other people. Yes, you can impact other people just by engaging in a small act of giving.

Today the example is "Habitat for Humanity" and ways that you can be part of a wonderful story. This organization was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. Over 500,000 homes and nearly 2 million people have shelter.

The interesting part is that homes are constructed by volunteers and professionals. They are also constructed using the sweat equity and time of the person/s that will be living in the home. "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for life" means so much in this process of building and restoring lives.

So what can you do?

There are lots of different ways you can become involved such as volunteering to help build a home in your community. You can donate monie to the organization that will help them meet its home building expenses. You can also help by donating your left over building materials and home goods. You can go in and purchase these same types of items from the hundreds of stores called Habitat for Humanity ReStore (click to find a store near you).

These ReStore outlets focus on home improvement goods like furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances. The purpose is to accept donated goods which are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds than go to help local Habitat affiliates fund the construction of Habitat homes within their communities.

One such store locally for me is the Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity ReStore in nearby Lawrenceville, GA. I have included a video tour.



What is important, not only to help promote this organization, is to just do something. Help any one of a hundred different organizations that help those in need. I think it is important in our lives to give back whenever we can. To help others lift themselves up is the correct and right thing to do in your life.

If you give back just a little extra during this Christmas season, the world will be just a little better because of you.

Tis the Season

by Dolceanne

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go." -Mother Teresa

Gift, the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return.

Generosity, the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return.

Charity (practice), the giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.

The holiday season has begun officially, at least on my calendar. In some places (namely stores) it started about a month ago with the selling of Christmas items and early sales to lure you in. For me the Christmas Holiday starts after the Thanksgiving Holiday here in the United States. I have always felt that Thanksgiving gets short shrift in all of the excitement of Christmas.

But I am not here to discuss the level of attention one holiday gets over another. What I am here to talk about is Christmas and the receiving and giving of presents. There will be little Bobbie and Suzie to get presents for. Then of course Uncle Fred, Aunt Louise, your brother Earl and sister-in-law June will need a gift. The list can grow long and complicated.

Along with giving to family and friends, think about giving to those you may not know. You could give an extra generous tip to the waitress at Waffle House. Maybe you could clean out your closet of any clothes and shoes older than six months and give to a charity. There is the Salvation Army that can always use volunteers to help feed those in need.

Quite frankly, there is no shortage of places you can think of, find or look up. Apply a few minutes to making a list as you would your Christmas shopping list. Then go out and love the world with your giving, large or small it makes a huge difference in the life of people. It will have a huge impact on your own life.

Enjoy the holiday season, remember what Christmas means and its greatest gift to us and than spread that love and caring to others.

Stay inspired my friends.