Community spirit
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It’s a wonderful gift
“I understand you right enough,” the stranger said slowly. “I just wanted to make sure you did. You had the greatest gift of all conferred upon you — the gift of life, of being a part of this world and taking part in it.” ~ From The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern, the story that inspired “It’s a Wonderful Life” One of my favorite Christmas films is the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in which George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) sacrifices his own big dreams in order to help his family and others in his community. In his darkest hour one Christmas Eve, George contemplates suicide, but a…
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Some thoughts on holiday charity
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James Rushing into the grocery yesterday evening, I passed a bearded young man ringing a bell next to a red Salvation Army kettle. I was in a hurry to grab something I needed to make dinner, so I shouted my usual refrain, “I’ll donate on my way out!” I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t always make good on that promise — but this time I slowed down long enough to stuff a generous donation in the kettle on my way back to the parking lot. Earlier that day, Doug made our annual holiday donations to charities and…
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Breaking your silence
“Once you start to speak, people will yell at you….or put you down and suggest it’s personal. And the world won’t end. And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don’t miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And at last you’ll know with surprising certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.” ~ Audre Lorde I thought of Audre Lorde’s words yesterday while I was typing my post about political lawn signs and the courage it takes to express our views. I remembered how difficult it has been for some people (especially women) to raise their…
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Be a tourist in your hometown
“Home is everything you can walk to.” ~Jerry Spinelli We all look forward to summer vacations and road trips. Exploring new landscapes is the ultimate cure for boredom. Problem is, vacations typically don’t last more than a couple of weeks. When you’re back home, it’s back to the same-old business as usual. That’s when it’s time to rediscover the attractions in and around your hometown — and reboot your sense of community. Is there an outdoor cafe, farmers’ market, boutique, bakery, park, or nature trail you haven’t explored nearby? Being a tourist in your own town will shake up your routine and benefit your local economy. ~CL
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Social studies
“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” ~Esther Perel, author and psychotherapist Are you looking for ways to increase your longevity? Gathering with good friends on a regular basis should be part of your lifestyle plan. Medical experts report that people who socialize regularly are healthier — both mentally and physically. Loneliness can actually shorten your lifespan. That said, keep in mind that difficult or unfulfilling relationships are harmful to your wellbeing — and there’s plenty of research to support the fact. “Relationships that are defined by drama and conflicts all can add a boat-load of stress to daily life,” explains Frank Lipman, M.D. What’s the…
