Thinking of Others....

Everyone I know right now is sick; either with a cold or the flu or stomach flu. Everyone I know doesn't feel well, physically, right now and I count myself among them; but I feel better than most.

It's got me thinking about all of my friends and family. I hate seeing them sick or depressed and unhappy for any reason. I can't fix it, I can't even help it in some cases, and to be honest, perhaps, it's healthier psychologically if we're not always trying to "rescue," those we love. (You know, that whole co-dependent thing, not cool!). But I hope I help them. I pray for them every single day. I love them every single day. And I root for them every single day. I want them to be happy, healthy and fulfilled. It's up to each of us, indivisually, I know that, but gosh, just think of where we'd be without each other--NO WHERE! Yikes!

I'm also thinking of all of those less fortunate than I. I have a home and a car and my guy. I have my family and friends and a whole plethora of loved ones. I have my sisters, and my Nellie (cat). I have so much. I was at the grocery store this morning just thanking God that I had the money today to buy what I wanted to eat. That I had the money to buy food that I would cook and prepare and enjoy with my man tonight. I was so fortunate to be there, shopping as I liked, at my pace, picking what I wanted. Okay, so I didn't get EVERYTHING I wanted, I always put about four or five things back, it's called BUDGETING! But, still.

There are so many others out there so much less fortunate than me. People who are homeless and hungry and truly penniless. This time of year is always full of charity: giving, collecting, donating. And that's great. But we should be doing that all year long, not just during the months of November and December. We should keep the idea of giving and donating with us all year long. We should keep those people in mind. Tons of people are hungry, and homeless, each and every day.

And we shouldn't just donate to charity and volunteer to suit our own desire to "feel good." (Although giving does feel good and that can't be avoided, and if giving something feels truly horrible, maybe we shouldn't be giving that to begin with). We should do it because it's the right thing to do, because we are here to HELP each other! Because we should listen to what people need, and what they want, and provide solidarity, instead of just charity.

I learned in Women's Studies Class this year that the difference between Charity and Solidarity is that charity is done for the giver, Solidarity is done for the receiver. And I think that's so true. I've recently looked into volunteering in my town. I may not have money to give right now, but I sure as heck have time--a lot of time!

I realize some of us may not have the time, nor the money, to give in the ways we'd like to, but it's important to remember that every little bit helps. It's important to remember that each and every thing we do for one another; loved ones or strangers, it all adds up.

A smile, a hug, a shared laugh, a door held open, a bag packed--brought it--or carried out, an alert that someone's car isn't smelling right, a phone call just to check in, the list can and does go on and on.

So, let's ring in the new year by remembering that it all adds up, we all add up. We all can make a difference, and the biggest differences are built on little ones.

Let's make New Year's Resolutions not centered around ourselves, but around each other. (And if we want to change things within ourselves, that's great too, selfishness isn't always a bad thing and complete lack of selfishness, I believe, can be just as unhealthy as total selfishness.).

Let's make the resolution to keep looking out for one another, because in the crazy times, I think we are needing each other more and more and more. And let's not forget that the biggest and greatest thing we can do for one another is pray. Simply pray. Every single day for all of those we love. And when I say you're all in my prayers everyday, I mean it, I do it and I live it!

So, thank you Lord, once again, for Your gifts, blessings, grace, forgiveness and love! Please bless us all in the new year; bless us with each other's prayers and genoursity, each other's love and loyalty, each other's compassion and emapthy and each other's uniqueness and experiences. Here's to a phenomenol, healthy, happier, spectacular 2009!

Here we go....

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)