It is a big deal, it is to me!: Guest Blog Week Extravaganza: Twenty-Something Florida Wife

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Guest Blog Week Extravaganza: Twenty-Something Florida Wife

Hey guys, I'm off to the winter wonderland that is Tennessee for the week, and some of my very best blogging buddies have offered to guest post for me. Be sure to comment and then go check out their blogs and become followers - I promise you won't regret it!

Today's Guest Blogger: Brandi over at Twenty-Something Florida Wife. Brandi shares a great deal about the causes she supports, being a better person and doing more to help others. She also writes about everyday topics, and all of her posts are interesting, fun and great. Be sure to check out her blog!

Autumn and winter are seasons chock full of holidays and celebrations, both religious and secular, but they all share the idea that we should remember our good fortune, and take the time to share our love and wealth (in all of it’s various forms) with others in our community, be it local or global. It’s all too easy to forget this aspect of the holidays as we all race around stores, some of us relishing, others of us panicking over the commercialism that has taken over, and I’ve often seen a rushed prayer or other expression of gratitude being but a passing moment in the long season. Hopefully reading this today will inspire you to drag out that moment of appreciation, just a bit longer, and revisit it all throughout the year. I’ve come up with a list of luxuries I hope you’re fortunate enough to enjoy, and maybe you’ll feel inspired to help spread some goodness along to someone else.

Health. This seems to be the one we most easily take for granted, only realizing how much we cherish it when we (or the ones we love) are ill. For most of us in America, it’s a minor inconvenience in our time and financial budgets to get a prescription for antibiotics, or grab pain relievers from a drug store. Occasionally, far more devastating illnesses and accidents occur in our families; but usually, we are somewhat comforted by the knowledge that skilled physicians and nurses are doing their best to ensure that patients are as comfortable as possible during their treatment.

Not all are so fortunate. Around the world, children can die from things as simple as diarrhea, and several nations are currently experiencing polio outbreaks. Even here in America, some genuinely cannot afford their prescriptions, or are too ill for current medical technology to assist. Sending teddy bears or snuggly blankets to hospitals, or making a donation to an organization that provides access to medicines and immunizations in developing nations can make a big difference in someone else’s life.

Love & Family. Hug your children, parents, partners, siblings, and friends a little closer the next time you see them. The people who make up your support system helped to make you who you are. I know so many people that I cannot imagine not having in my life, and I’ll bet you have plenty, too.

Maybe you have room in your life for someone who needs a little love and family. From adopting a pet (or even making a small contribution to a rescue or sanctuary in your area), to children without families (if fostering or adoption is just not right for you, consider sponsoring a child in need or making a donation to an orphanage in line with your values), to the elderly and disabled in nursing homes, many of whom would love to have a visitor come read to them or share some conversation over lunch.

Safety. So many of us forget how wonderful it is to be able to walk outside of our homes without the fear of being attacked. In many countries, the simple task of visiting a marketplace can be dangerous. Even in the US, those without a home of their own are left to fend for themselves in the streets, against the elements and against those who would take advantage of them.

Maybe you can contribute to a local homeless shelter, or spend a few hours a month in a soup kitchen to give some folks a little reprieve. Or, perhaps, you can help support efforts to stop violence against women in children in war-torn countries.

I hope that you have much to enjoy in your life, and I hope that you are grateful for these things. Just as Loren Eisley’s Star Thrower , you can make a profound difference in the life of another.

I’ll leave you with a list of organizations you may find interesting, and wishes for a happy, healthy, safe, and love filled New Year for you and yours!