Twenty-Five Days to Make A Difference
The holidays are traditionally hard for me. I don’t even like to type that sentence because it sounds like more of prediction than a historically true statement. As my friend Claire says words are powerful. With them we create perspectives that can either free us or box us in tight. So let me start again by saying, I want something new for Christmas this year. Something that sounds more like celebration and hope and magic and space to relax and be myself. Something that does NOT include rushing, strife, ridiculous expectations or persecution of my dear ones.
I would like for one year to not say through clenched teeth, “Get in a good mood, goddammit! It’s Christmas, for Christ’s sake!” or something lovely along those lines.
I would like to do what I really want to do and not feel completely oppressed by obligation.
I would like to drink more, eat less and lay around on the couch looking at the tree.
I would like to take at least one nap and read an entire novel for the Christmas season. Which right now sounds completely scandalous.
Surfing the web today, I stumbled on this project: Twenty-five Days to Make a Difference. Laura remembers what a difference her grandpa made in her life and wants to honor that memory by actively looking to make a difference in someone else’s life this season. I love this. Mostly, because doing something for someone else (or for the good of the world in general!) always makes me feel better. Horribly selfish, but true.
Like yesterday. The Salvation Army guy was outside Safeway ringing the bell and singing, “He Touched Me”–and old gospel song I know from my childhood. It made me so happy he was doing that, I stood and sang the chorus with him in two part harmony. Totally ludicrous, I know, to sing outside of Safeway with a stranger, but it made my day and his. What if I did something like that on purpose for twenty-five days? What state of bliss might I (and the others around me) be in?? What holiday-induced mental illness might I avoid as a result??
But what makes this idea even more compelling is that the author Laura Stockman is TEN YEARS OLD. If I wasn’t already on board for my own selfish reasons, now I’m totally into because I totally and completely want to encourage this kind of inspiration and activism in a kid! Maybe I can even inspire my own kids to get on board.
You can read the scoop here. It’s nothing we need to blog about, you can just do it. But if you want to report on your adventures, Laura would love to know. She’s giving away a $25 dollar donation to a favorite charity to the kid who makes the most inspiring difference. I’m writing her now to see if she’ll let me donate a Today is a New Day Poster to the winner, too.
Wanna do this challenge with me? At a minimum, we’ll feel better and at most, there’s a chance we can make a big difference in a great kid’s life by signing on to her brilliant idea.
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I think maybe were luckier than some. Because we have three family birthdays in December, we don’t really do that much in the Christmas department until the 16th. However, that also sounds like an excellent idea.
Cheers
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
How magical to imagine you singing with the bell ringer! (How magical that he was singing to begin with!) And thank you for the link to Laura’s project~ sometimes children are our best reminders…
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Jen,
It is exciting that you are promoting Laura’s project. I feel great just reading about and watching our future leaders acting unselfishly. I love your site…
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Jen, I’m so glad you stumbled across Laura’s site. And wrote about it. Laura’s ideas are small, realistic, meaningful — and if we all did a few, world-changing.
When I got up this morning, I thought I’d put up my outdoor lights, but you reminded me there are much more important Advent tasks to be done….
December 2nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Oh I love it! I’m off to check out her site right now.
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LINKING TO ME AND WRITING ABOUT MY IDEA! Of course you can donate a poster to the winner! It would be wonderful! I love your site! I love your stuff too! Have a fun twenty five days!
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:52 am
First I wanted to say I totally sympathize with you about this season. My mom calls it the “anxiety and nausea of Christmas”, which is funny and it also means that it seems to be genetic. Obligations, disappointments, being late, bleh. This year will be better!
Second, I am 2 days late in joining on with the 25 Days, but I am definitely on board. I have started paying for the person’s coffee behind me in the drive-thru line fairly regularly, and I did that on the first, so I’m counting it! Now to think of what to do tomorrow…
(Thank you, as always)
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:06 am
Jen, thanks so much for Twittering about Laura yesterday. I’m really excited about her project…and about spreading the word.
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
BALM FOR MY SOUL!! I love and desperately need this new perspective to get me through the holidays. I have 2 bithdays within our immediate family this month and three birthdays for extended family and friends within the next two weeks. WE are also planning to travel home for the holidays (read two flights with a one hour connection) and will visit no less than 3 cities to reconnect as best we can with our family and friends.
All the best to everyone who embraces this project! I was just saying yesterday how different the holidays would be if we each did what we truly desired instead of living up to the unrealistic expectations set upon us by society and self. Thanks Laura for reminding me I can walk the walk!
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Inspiring, as usual. I love this and am TOTALLY on board.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Beautiful for you, and lovely for the world!
In case you want to do something for yourself and/or family and friends, you might find my article for the season — To Do List for the Spirit — a soothing addition.
Best wishes to you, Jen.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Love it, Jen. Love you, too! I want to share this with my girls.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:23 am
[…] Well, I’ll say one more thing. Please join Laura’s challenge for a day if not all 25. And if I can’t convince you, I’m sure jen lemen can. […]
December 5th, 2007 at 2:04 am
[…] Read about Laura’s project here. And read this post for some excellent reasons why “older children” (aka adults) should join Laura’s challenge for at least one day, if not all 25. […]
December 5th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Oh the image of you belting out with the salvation army guy just made me grin so huge.
I have decided to take a few of these luxurious steps to make the holidayt season more merry. I am embarassed to admit I have napped with my son at nap time for his nap the past three days.
I am on board as well for Lauras challenge. It is very touching.