Again, I’d forgotten to maintain the Christmas spirit after Christmas, so for this blog, I invite you to read the comments where others have made suggestions if you want to practice this for 2019, oooorrr add a comment and let us know how you give back throughout the year!
Soooo…one day I looked up at it was July 25th aaannnd I hadn’t maintained the Christmas Spirit for that month! Turns out the summer is the time when I’m most forgetful about these things cause I’m out frolicking and stuff.
Benevolence, kindness and compassion are every day. We don’t need a special Holiday season for that. I have many friends of other religious faiths who don’t celebrate Christmas but they approach life with an open heart and mind. It’s not a Christmas spirit it’s a Human Spirit. Love knows no specific season.
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I agree DeBorah.
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I’ve been super busy, but I wanted to say more. I agree. This is the point of the Christmas spirit after Christmas idea. I want people to see that we should just be nice and helpful and loving 365 days a year, or 52 weeks out of the year, instead of being generous and giving for a season (which seems to be the case for many). So, yes. I agree D. It’s a matter of just being a “good” person…all the time.
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I know that this is a busy season for folks with families. Especially for People with children. Being retired I forgot about all the hustle and bustle unless I need to Travel to Manhattan then I see the Madness and insanity of Holiday shoppers. Makes me grateful for my quiet, restful life where I am at peace. Happy to be away from the hordes. The coffee shop across from my house is having a toy drive and I did make a donation. There are many homeless shelters in my neighborhood and the toy donations are the only way for many children to experience Christmas.
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great one….
christmas wishes 2017
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Lady G said she was the “WP compliance officer”!๐ For real, though – Summer IS for “being out frolicking and stuff!” so I’m glad you got some in coz we’re moving into a new season, now…
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smh isn’t she crazy lol Yeah, I’m actually glad too because now we’re ducking a hurricane…or two.
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I hope you and your family will be safeโฃ๏ธ
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Thanks Leslie!
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I’m shole gon’ check back! LOL!!!!
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I am the WP compliance officer ๐ ๐
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lol I got you. I got you.
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Imma keep ya honest! LOL!!!
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I love you and thus I love your spirit and your commitment. However!
Do you really need to remind me Christmas is around the corner?!?! In 4 months, the next Christmas will be over. Aaaaaaaaaarch, time does go to fast…
( just teasing, I hope you know ๐ XxX )
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lol – yes I know Patty. I can hardly believe it’s almost the end of the year!
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It sounds good to be out frolicking! ๐๐ Although we are still having beautifully warm sunny days I know once September arrives that Christmas seems just around the corner and arrives like a juggernaut without breaks!
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Absolutely! I’m done frolicking now, more or less. We’re already back to school and working hard
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A much better reason to honor the Reason for the Season than “Christmas in July” sales extravaganzas! โค
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Most definitely!
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Like! Christmas is almost here again. Well be in September this weekend!
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Absolutely. Time just marches on.
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Every year during the holiday season my church has the “Giving Tree,” a pathetic little Christmas tree we all hang hats, mittens, scarves and the like on to be given to people visiting the food pantry. Since I knit, I usually have something to donate…but I’m determined not to gather up “leftover” projects (don’t get me wrong, they’re nice, just no guarantee I’ll have anything) and instead I knit things especially to give away. So about every two months or so I finish another few projects and put them in the “Giving Basket,” which sits in my closet, and in December I’ll have a big bagful of hats etc. Since the need for this clothing in my area generally starts in December, the timing works.
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That’s a very cool concept! It makes me think about how I can use my natural talents to “give.” I’ll be thinking. Thanks for adding this idea.
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It does feel really good to put your talents to use. In this case, I’m giving away hand-knit items, which are so warm and pretty.
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I love how these pop up every month as a little reminder to keep the Christmas spirit going all year long, and provide insight or ideas of how to do that. It’s easy to forget, or just let it slide. It doesn’t have to be grand or complicated… often I just donate food to the Little Free Pantry or send an out-of-the-blue care package to a faraway friend who needs some TLC. Once, I paid a kid’s fine for overdue library books–he couldn’t take out any more until it was settled, so it made him really happy. Lots of opportunities to share, just gotta keep your eyes open. ๐
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Thanks Joan! It’s been a really great “project.” I do agree that once you become aware and “keep your eyes open, ” then opportunities do arise. Thanks for the reminder.
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Gorgeous, Kathy! I love that you remembered & posted now … that is so self-honoring and your commitment to kindness and the Christmas Spirit is great and puts a big smile on my face.
I do my best to speak kindness to people….. to bring blessings wherever I go …. and to forgive myself as a way to be in peace inside of me.
You mentioned how you could contribute. Well, I do a Forgiving Fridays post every Friday. If you ever want to, you can contribute a post for Forgiving Fridays! (See my latest post for more information). Let me know if you have questions. I love you!
Love and blessings, Debbie
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Thanks Debbie! You know the first step to living an honest life is to be honest with oneself. I definitely want people to know that I am not perfect and also human lol Thanks for noticing that.
Speaking kindness to people is a great idea. That is one of the most integral ways to maintain the “Christmas spirit.”
I will definitely add contributing to Forgiving Fridays to my list. I think it’ll be a good way to contribute and maintain the spirit at the same time.
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Yay sounds good Kathy. Have a great week. Sending you loving. Debbie ๐
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You are so generous! Just reading your post encourages me to reflect on being more formal in my giving throughout the year. And when I say formal – I mean each month on the 25 (today!) I will dedicate a kindness in the name of Christmas. Hmmmmm. 8 more hours to go….. what goodness can I get up to.. ๐ โฅ๏ธ
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Try the goodie bags for the homeless. That was quick and easy for me.
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…and thanks Dr. D ๐ค
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My daughters elementary school used to bring care bags to a homeless shelter. They usually put in socks, toothpaste, gloves, hand sanitizer, things like that. You could also do school supplies….donate paper or ink to a school. Most of them lack those particular supplies. Walk dogs at a shelter. Give blood if you are able.
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Thanks my dear! I did the homeless bag idea a couple months ago. I think donating to a school is a great idea…will try that soon. I looked into volunteering with the Jacksonville Humane Society, but you wouldn’t believe how difficult it is, AND they ask for a six month commitment EVERY Saturday morning! Anywho, I’ll let you know how donating to a school goes and thanks again for the suggestion.
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You know I saw the goodie bags, knew you did it, but then I just started writing things my family did…..talk about a senior moment…..volunteering is hard here too! We have to sign up at least a month in advance for the soup kitchen and pet shelter. I read about this organization that collects duffle bags for kids that are in foster care. Normally a foster kids belongings are put in a garbage bag. I also heard about people who knit blankets for people in shelters. Was thinking of doing that
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Oh wow the duffle bag for foster care children is a great idea!
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When I. Was responding I remembered reading about that. I don’t remember the organization, but you can probably find out
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I’m gonna just do it myself and ask people to join in, I think…
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I believe you can do it!
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I don’t blame you Kathy – 24th was my birthday and clearly you were focusing you energy on that ๐
I don’t do chtistmas and I maintain that position year round haha.
What am I doing awake right now??? The buzz from being the first one here is gonna keep me up all night now. ๐จ
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HaHa on the first two. Hope you found a way to rest your eyes and mind.
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I’m so tired. I’ll definately nap after lunch. ๐ด
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