I'm putting this out there to challenge all of you to do this as well...
I have been so blessed with so many things. So many people don't even have basic needs of food and shelter. I'm trying to get rid of my materialism a little bit and I felt compelled to start here. Every year my family hits up each other for Christmas list... here is my email response..
My loving family-
Every year I start building my Christmas list (usually on my phone for when a thought hits me) of things I feel I "need" and want. Even with so much free time the last few months that I have spent crying, thinking, and avoiding, I have come up with nothing. (Don't worry I'm getting to a point here...)
The last few weeks I have spent reflecting on what I actually have versus what I just lost. Its so easy for us to see what we don't have especially when we are forced to "tighten the belt" and change our lifestyles. The change in my thinking started a day when I was lonely feeling sorry for myself and Harley laid down in my lap. I was instantly grateful for her. Yes she is a dog but she's always here. I started rattling off my list of blessings...
-My loving supportive family (I would go into detail but I'll get sappy and embarrassing)
-Sweet Harley
-My apartment that I finally have decorated myself and I love
-The ability to pay for my apartment
-A job with a family feel to the staff, that teaches me so much, and gives me flexibility with my schedule
-The means to travel to visit family and friends so often this year
-The ability to pay my bills
-My car is running
-My good health
-The ability to buy healthy nutritious food, and my ability to cook great meals
-The means to dine out with friends or when I need a break
I have so much. I have been blessed with so much.
The truth is there is nothing that I "need" for Christmas. I don't need more material things. I have clothes, Harley is fed, etc.
So I want to do something different. Instead of gifts I would like you all to give a donation to one of these three charities and organizations below. I hand picked these because they give what is needed to those who are not blessed as we are. Those who do not have food or a home. They don't have the basic needs. They don't need Tory Burch flats, they need food on a daily basis.
SOME- So Others Might Eat
www.some.org/give_how.html
This organization feeds and clothes DC's homeless and poor. They also treat ill homeless persons, train them for jobs. They recently opened and are continuing to expand Bedford Falls, a housing development for the homeless.
DC Central Kitchens
dccentralkitchen.org
This group recycles leftover food from stores and restaurants to convert into meals to feed at risk individuals. They also provide culinary training for homeless adults to place them into food industry jobs. They also provide counseling services for the homeless.
Share Our Strength
strength.org
A national organization whose mission is to feed "food insecure" kids in America. They also educate families on cooking healthy inexpensive meals.
Thank you for your support
Lauren
Feel free to donate to these organizations as well. The first two I actually used to volunteer with in middle and high school.
What do you "need" for Christmas????
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