Make a Difference that Matters

2015.  Where does the time go?  We  have made it through the holidays and almost the first month of the new year.  Life is still crazy - traveling, when I can, to be with my Dad during his cancer journey.  Happy to say only 6 more days of radiation and getting the results from the CT scan.  Hoping for a clear scan and a chance to kick cancer to the curb.   But what about resolutions?  Have you already fallen off the wagon with the goals you set for yourself this year?  Have you even made some goals for the upcoming months?  I would like to offer some ideas that will help you with that.

So Valentine's Day is in a few weeks.  It doesn't have to be about mushy love, show some love to those around you.  Offer to do some chores for someone unable to handle them, help with a fundraiser, or find a charitable cause you believe in.  I have had the great fortune of helping a first year teacher with a project on DonorChoose.org, been able to provide lodging for an out of town family when they lost their mom, and I have been able to help a client get some old family photographs digitized and on flashdrives to share with siblings.  Have you looked at those around you to see where needs might be?  It doesn't have to be anything big.

Speaking of photos, maybe you have ran across some old photos and you want to do something with them.  Have you seen the idea on social media of the generational photo with each person holding the photo of the person in their next generation. What a cool gift to give to all who were in the photo (4 or 5 generations are typical).  I can help with getting photos scanned for you, books made to share with family and friends, and even introduce you to a great way to safeguard your photos for generations.

Speaking of making a difference, Lent is approaching as well.  For those of us in the Catholic faith, Lent typically means giving up something for 40 days.  I always twisted that around for our kids and my students in CCD to "add" something new to your day.  Instead of seeing it as a loss, look at it as a gain.  Maybe it is adding the task of writing a note to someone who could use a kind word and a little encouragement, how about spending a few minutes each day sorting through your photo stacks and labeling them with name and date so that the info is not lost, or what about spending some time each week with a family member and sharing stories.  Not only will those you interact feel the love, you will also be impacted.

So as we look for things to do and curtail our cabin fever, don't feel like it has to be anything huge and newsworthy, make it meaningful to someone close to you.  And celebrate the memories you share.