There isn't a box big enough to hold today's shiny idea. Take a look.
It seems we have some friends on the west coast who also trying to spread some shine. Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell us what you think of the video.
Shining off until tomorrow...
You know what shines?
What shines are parents committed to instilling in their children a sense of responsibility and joy for giving to others.
What really, really shines are parents who do it in such a way that their kids truly discover what fun giving can be.
And, what really, really, really shines are parents who are willing to share their successes, so that our families can shine too.
Today's post is compliments of long-time, loyal reader - Robin W.
Robin's idea, which conveniently engaged her EIGHT children in eight days of Chanukah will also work nicely for families who, beginning today, will count down the twelve days until Christmas. Take a look at what Robin says about her family's ritual of giving:
"Each night is represented by a little box. You pull it out and flip it around to reveal the “light” of the candle for that night. Also inside each box is a note of how to bring happiness to someone else. If it’s your night, you are responsible for doing something related to the idea written on the card.
Examples would be:
First Night: Take some goodies to a nursing home and spend some time listening to stories. Owen, 7, drew this night. Her idea was to bring some homemade bread to the nursing home where her grandma is living and to talk to some of the residents.
Third Night: Winter can be cold. Help a family in need with their electric bill to help them stay warm. Now, this year, that night was actually Ada’s night, my five year old. Now, she doesn’t really have the cash or income to hand over money. But she does know how to make a simple blanket. So that’s what she is doing for her project.
This is our way of celebrating, but also remembering that being kind to others is an important part of life. The cards were already in the boxes, but could easily be changed to reflect the thoughts of your family. If you like this idea, but don’t celebrate Chanukah, consider doing an Advent version."
Help me think fast. I want to try this, beginning tonight, for the last twelve days leading up to Christmas. I need twelve prompts. I'm no Super Mom, though, so make your suggestions manageable. Manageable = activities I can do with two small boys, requiring little preparation and that can be completed in approximately 30 minutes each night.
Visit us in the Community Forum, labeled Today's Post and tell me whatcha got.
Shining off until tomorrow...
Fact: You cannot truly understand the power of mailing a yellow envelope to a deserving person each week if you have never mailed a yellow envelope. You might think the idea is sweet. You might support it in theory. But, the actual benefits -the emotional and physical benefits - will not be felt until, finally, you give yourself permission to participate.
Maybe the same is true of all sorts of philanthropic work. Maybe I can believe elderly people possess wisdom and should be allowed to age gracefully and with dignity, but until I volunteer time with elderly people, I will not reap the benefits of their wisdom or be influenced by their life experiences.
I am guessing that one of the reasons today's recipient of the Yellow Envelope Project shines is because she knows what it means to participate. Today's winner, Tara, helps others and, by doing so, is the recipient of so many emotional and physical benefits that she can't help but stick out among her peers and community members. Take a look at what her nominator had to say:
"Tara is an amazing and kind-hearted woman who can light up the room simply by smiling. Tara works hard to teach young people about the importance of self-esteem and diversity, and she has authored the "Who I Am" book series that highlights those topics. Tara was the victim of bullying when she was younger and now she is working hard to teach others how to love themselves and appreciate their uniqueness. She also helps several local charities through varous initiatives she either organizes or particpates in. I'm part of an organization called Girls in Tech, and we're working with Tara to give donated and refurbished laptops to women in need at two local organizations this holiday season. Tara recently shared a story at a weekly gathering of the metro Detroit social media community about how a local organization helped her when she was younger, and she promised herself at that time that she would give back to that organization one day. She's doing exactly that now, which proves she is a grateful person who never forgets those who once helped her. I could go on and on about how wonderful and genuine Tara is. She does so much to help others and I hope she knows how much she is appreciated in our community. I like the idea of flooding her mailbox with letters from people all over the world telling her how wonderful she is."
We are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season - the time of year when, hopefully, giving is at the forefront of our minds. Please help her nominator's Christmas wish come true. Help assure Tara's mailbox gets flooded with letters from people all over the world telling her how wondeful she is. If each of you told two people and they told two people, we would be well on our way to filling Tara's Michican mailbox with some shine (a welcome surprise in the winter months of Michigan).
Participating is as simple as sending a Christmas card, but is packed with all the magic and anticipation of giving a gift.
Take five or six minutes and write Tara a short note telling her why you think she shines. Seal it in a yellow envelope (or a white envelope decorated with yellow stickers and markers). In place of your return address, print "Yellow Envelope Project" and send to the mailing address listed below.
Tara M.
39882 Crosswinds
Novi, MI 48375
Santa delivers presents all over the world in a single night. Why do you think he's so jolly?
Give it a try. See if generously giving the gift of gratitude to even a single person doesn't work wonders on you psyche.
Shining off until tomorrow...