New Year’s Challenge…

Photo Credit: http://scrappingwonders.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/will-you-take-the-challenge.jpg

I challenge us all to make a new year resolution to be kind to our fellow beings.  In other words, take the time out of your life to focus on those around you.

I fully believe that we need to care for ourselves before we can care for others.  The airplane lesson is true…put your own oxygen mask on before you help others put theirs on.  However, sometimes we can also get a little too wrapped up in our own drama and we need to take a moment to pause and remember that there are so many around us that we can really make a difference for.

I am talking about your neighbors, your coworkers, your family, your friends, your frenemies, your pets, nature (including animals, plants and all of mother earth).

Please take a moment to let those around you know how much they mean to you and take that extra step to do something to brighten their day.  If you are shoveling your drive…take the extra steps and walk next door to help shovel your neighbor’s drive as well.  Mail a note of gratitude to a friend or family member…just because you think they know how much you care about them doesn’t always mean that they do.  So tell them.

Visit your grandparents and listen to their stories…they will love the quality time with you and you will be rewarded with wonderful knowledge and memories that you will treasure forever.

Spend some quality time with your grandkids.  Play a board game and let yourself be a kid again.  Bridge the generation gaps and remind our young future what it means to be caring and respectful…they need that reminder!  And then enjoy giving them back to their parents, because let’s be honest…they are exhausting!  🙂

Plant a seed, nurture it and watch it grow.  Indoor plant, outdoor garden, whatever you find joy in…but allow yourself to witness the wonder of creating something from a small seed to something beautiful or tasty.  And while you are at it, reflect on the fact that this concept can be applied to many more areas of life…allow yourself to make those connections…plant those seeds of thought and watch them grow.

Invite a family member that you only see at the normal family gatherings over for dinner or a game night.  They will be so appreciative and doing something outside the norm will take your relationship to another level.

Remind your friends that they are on your mind.  Life is busy, there is no doubt about it, but we need to let our friends know that even though we don’t see them as often as we may want to…they are still on our minds and they mean the world to us.  A simple email, fb post, instant message, text, whatever you can think of!  Just reach out to them in some way and when possible try to get together for a quick visit as well!

Listen.  That’s it.  When somebody, anybody, speaks to you.  Stop, look and listen.  Stop what you are doing.  Look at them. And listen to what they are saying.  Really listen.  Don’t think about what you are going to say next.  Don’t let yourself trail off in the crazy to-do list running through your head.  Give them your un-divided attention, listen to what they say, and reply honestly.  Take interest in what they are telling you.  Are they taking a trip soon?  Ask questions about it and really listen to the answers.  Care about what they say.

There are so many things we can do to really care about others.  It is time that we get into doing them more.  Let’s all resolve to do a little bit more of this in 2016 and watch what a better place the world will become.

Until next time y’all!
Love, health and happiness.