Reimagining the Holidays- Reimagining the World
While I DO believe in, and actively participate in, the art of gifting myself and the ones I love, the gift I always feel the best about is when I can give of myself to help those in need. It’s not hard to find opportunities all around us to help. Whatever level is comfortable for each of us. Some of us have more free time, some of us have more disposable income, some of us are really good at pulling together teams to work on projects. Working with a group helps others while it forms bonds that can last a lifetime. We each come to the table with our own natural gifts.
Whatever cause stirs our souls, each of us can help in our own ways. This time of year, especially this year, there are so many have so little. People who’ve struggled year after year, the newly unemployed and displaced, the victims of natural disasters, the sick and the grieving. When we find that way that touches our soul and we find our own little way to help, that is Reimagining the World.
There are as many ways to follow our passions as there are passions to follow. It’s easy to start with the well-known: animal lovers-the HumaneSociety.org; World health concerns-DoctorsWithoutBorders.com; Environmental issues-the Environmental Defense Fund or edf.org; Veterans lives-HopeForTheWarriors.com. The list is expansive.
It’s always a good idea to check in on a charitable organization’s ratings and make sure your efforts and your money are being spent effectively. CharityWatch.org is a well respected place to check a charitable organization’s standing. I’m sure there are others.
I recently read Benjamin Wofford’s article in Washingtonian about Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen. The headline pulled me in: “The Heroic Story of How Jose Andres’ Charity Feeds 250,000 People a Day in a Pandemic.” I’ve linked to it below for any of you who’d like to check it out. I don’t think many of us could read this, or a similar story, and not be inspired to be more, to do more, to give more. May this season bring out the best in all of us. Happy Holidays 2020.
