Archive for December, 2010
Christmas > presents
Thursday, December 9th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
This time of year just makes me happy. It’s all covered in red and green and gold and sparkly glittery things. If the mall wasn’t so full of crazy people racking up their credit card debt, I’d really enjoy being there. I really think I want to teach my kids about how beautiful Christmas can be when you aren’t overloaded with presents. i don’t want my kids to have closets full of junk. I really hate junk. My mom has trouble letting things go- she has a box full of my 3rd grade math worksheets, which clearly, should not still be in the attic. So, it’s times like these, especially in my current financial state, where I just hate seeing people buy gifts which the receiver will never use. We all know great Aunt Martha is really not going to ever change her perfume. And Grandpa probably can’t figure out how to use that camera. Plus, that random office Bath and Bodyworks gift will probably be re-gifted. So. Is it really the thought that counts? Or should people just start saying, “hey, I know we are supposed to give gifts, but I think you have everything you need. I donated X amount of money to Forgotten Voices International in your name.” Or, “I worked X amount of hours at the local shelter in your honor this Christmas.” Maybe invite the person to help serve with you. If we spent nearly as much time focusing on others this Christmas instead of buying pointless gifts, we probably wouldn’t be facing the economic downturn or be subject to the current administration’s “solutions.” As much as I love the fantastic gray boots I picked out for this Christmas, or as much as I need a giftcard to buy business attire, I think the world just needs more of me. More of my time, more of my generosity and compassion. Maybe if we helped other then the government wouldn’t feel like they need to do it. Maybe if we gave more in other ways, we just might see that Christmas is about so much more than presents.
Open Doors
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Know what else I love? When someone holds the door for you. I don’t care if you’re a guy or girl, or whatever it is SO NICE when someone bothers to hold the door for the person behind them or the person in front of them. Seriously, my opinion of you as a person skyrockets when you hold a door- haha.
Anyway, several people held the door for me today! I feel a bit frazzled because all of our public relations campaign content is going to press (that just sounds cool!) on Thursday!! Egad. Shoutout to mah girl Heather Murphy and all our long nights brainstorming together! Everyone has worked really hard this semester. I’m excited to see the final product of PR campaign- sometimes it was hard to see the forest through the trees, but I think we have a great project. I just hope I make it to see Christmas!
Here at work I’ve been doing some reflecting on my trip abroad to Greece. I studied there for 3 months (check out old posts to see pics!) and I LOVED IT! I got to write about using the language and talk about my favorite memories..oh man I just want to go back right now. And then I spent some time reflecting about all Messiah offers- for real kids, this place is awesome. I’m so happy with my experience here. And so eternally grateful that I was able to experience living in another country and learning from the people there. Talk about an open door. Changed me forever.
My next article I’m going to write is about Donald Miller’s “Through Painted Deserts” and my experience reading it in Greece. So, I read this book about taking time to breathe in life, while I’m in Greece where they spend the majority of their day just….breathing. Take a nap here, have some coffee there, quick trip to the beach after class, etc. Those people know how to live! Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to evade this rat race and enjoy more Mediterranean life someday. Okay, that’s all! Gotta go edit my life away- I’ll admit, I love this stuff 