Saying THANK YOU!

2012, what a year!  I was fortunate enough to receive a promotion in July. With this promotion came lots of changes at work; more hours, more travel, a big learning curve, but an opportunity to lead an incredible team of individuals.  It was an opportunity to hopefully motivate others to grow with me as I learned the ropes of a new role and being back in the saddle as a leader. 

Over these past six months I couldn’t have asked more from a group of individuals. A group that everyday got up ready to work long hours and sometimes weekends to make a difference for our customers. 

Today I shipped out “thank you packages” to my team, a small token of my appreciation for their dedication and commitment in 2012.

If you are fortunate to work, or choose to work, can you think of at least one person that makes your job easier?  That makes you want to be the best you can in your job? That pushes you to make improvements and be as successful as possible?  I encourage you to drop a note in the mail, if you can afford it, maybe add a gift card, your favorite tea or chocolate as a token of your appreciation.  It isn’t the amount of money you spend on the gift that makes a difference, but the action of taking the time to say THANK YOU!

Give a little more

Can you believe it? We are welcoming in a new year, 2013.  It seems so crazy as this year has flown by. Maybe that is what happens, the older we get, the faster time flies.

Today is the day everyone is making their new year’s resolutions and for most, they will fall off the bandwagon in the next month or so.  Are your resolutions the same as last year? Lose more weight, spend less, save more?  If so, have you thought about resolutions or for me, I like to set goals that have nothing to do with self. I challenge you to set goals that have to do with those around you, those lives that you can make an impact on over the coming year. 

Have you thought about how much you are going to give to others this year whether financially or with time?  Have you made a goal to spend more time with friends and family and less time on the computer or in front of the television?  Have you thought about how you can make this world a better place, one small (or large) action at a time?  If not, take a few minutes today to think about how you are going to make a difference in 2013.  If you need some ideas, shoot me a message, post a comment  or read some of my previous blogs.  Let’s make 2013 a year of more giving!

Blessings,

Stephanie

Where one journey ends...another begins.

I can't believe it has been May since I posted. May 14th to be exact  which was my 500th day of giving.  I could not predict that just 22 days later my giving journey would end.  I shouldn't say end, just the consecutive days of giving, the tracking and the focus of giving a daily gift came to an abrupt halt.

I was in Washington DC on business, okay Herndon, VA which is just outside of DC be many don't know where Herndon is so DC is easier.  I didn't know where Herndon was until I had to start traveling there for work...sorry I digress. On Monday June 4th, with travel, I had put in a 21 hour day.  I got several hours of sleep that night and on June 5th and 6th I would put in 18+ hours days.  On June 6th I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel, with my laptop, working with my boss when it hit me that I hadn't given a gift for the day.  I was panicked. I looked down at the clock on my computer and  it said 12:18. I yelled...NOOOOOOOO.  My boss looked at me and I stated, "I didn't give my gift today!"  My consecutive gift giving journey had ended. 

Gift giving had been such a big part of my life for over a year that I wondered how could I go an entire day and not remember.  I was exhausted, had been in the office all day, took a break for dinner and continued to work through the evening.  Still no excuse.  I had always thought of the gift and found a way to give.

I had a flurry of emotion.  My first was disappointment.  I couldn't believe that after 522 days it ended by me forgetting and not making a choice to end.  Then, and I hate to admit it, but I was a bit relieved.  Don't misinterpret this emotion because I loved everyday of this journey.  I met so many great people, wonderful organizations, and most importantly I hope I made a difference and inspired others to do so.  But I was relieved because along with this journey came great pressure.  The pressure of getting to 11:50 p.m. and I hadn't given the gift.  The pressure of "what if I forgot to give for a day, or record the gift.  The tracking, which doesn't seem like a big deal was sometimes consuming. 

After I have had time to reflect on then ending of this particular journey, I know it happened at the perfect time.  That day was the day that my journey needed to end and a new one would begin.    I have enjoyed my summer and it has been filled with spending tons of time with friends and family, having fun and enjoying life.

Even though my consecutive gift giving tracking and journey has ended I can honestly say I have probably given gifts 90-95% of days since.  It has become a part of me, of who I am and wanting to make a difference didn't  leave my heart the day this particular journey ended.

If you have been following this blog you know I didn't post about every gift.  It is my goal to go back to some of my favorite gifts and blog about those days.  How they impacted me and made a difference in my life and hopefully the life of others.

I am not sure what my new journey will be or where it will lead me but I can guarantee you this...I will still be 1 Making a Difference.

Blessings,
Stephanie

And the winners are...

So today was my 500^th consecutive day of giving.  This journey that started as a year of giving has turned into and been so much more.  It has changed my life in many ways and all for the good.   I wish I could give up sweets or workout for 500 consecutive days but it isn’t likely anytime in the near future.

My gift today was decided on the following post on Facebook, “Today I celebrate my 500th consecutive day of giving. To celebrate this day I will be making five (5) $100 donations to nonprofits in the US. I want YOUR help in giving this gift. If you have an organization that is doing great things post it on my timeline with why this organization is important to you and a link to their website. I will pick five (5) nonprofits and make my donation this evening for my 500th gift. Start posting!!!

I received many great recommendations and learned about many wonderful organizations. Here are the organizations that friends posted about:

·        AYOU which takes students on trips to Yellowstone National Park.

·        Hearts in Motion which addresses quality of life issues in Central America, particularly in Guatemala and Honduras.

·        Westchester Fraternal Order of Police-Shop with a Cop program at Christmas

·        TriState Multiples which helps families with high order multiples with financial requests.

·        Indiana State Police K-9 fund for my husband’s police dog Boss.

·        American Cancer Society-Relay for Life

·        The Fistula Foundation which raises awareness of and funding fistula treatment, prevention and educational programs worldwide.

·        Mulunda Miaka Orphanage which helps orphans in Zambia.

·        Baby Will which raises money and awareness for SIDS research.

·         Children’s World Impact that works to break the cycle on poverty in Ghana and Haiti.

·         National Eczema Association which provides resources for families with eczema and money for research.

·         Cheryl Lyn Welter Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of our daughter Cheryl who was killed in a car accident her Senior Year on 10/12/2000.

·         The Wounded Warrior Project raises awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, helps injured service members aid and assist each other and provides unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

·         The National MPS Society supports research in MPS, families with children with MPS and increase public and professional awareness of this disease.

·         Living Hope Community Church which gives people a safe place to explore Christian faith.

·         Housing Opportunities which provides housing related help for those in NW Indiana.

·         NAMI Porter County which provides education, advocacy, and support for parents, caregivers and individuals with mental illness.

·         WVLP-98.3 is a community radio station providing a voice to those in Valparaiso, IN.

·         Valparaiso Nazarene Church that makes a variety of impacts in the community from a food pantry to youth services.

·         Royal Family Kids Camp is a summer camp that provides a week of camp at no cost to children that have been abused and neglected and placed in foster care.

·         The Hope House which provides safe houses for victims of domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States.

It was really hard to pick just five organizations.  So today I will make donations to five, but I will commit to making a donation to all organizations listed above in the next year. 

And the winners are…

·        Hearts in Motion

·        The Fistula Foundation

·        The Wounded Warrior Project

·        The Hope House

·        Baby Will Organization

I hope you have you learned about several new organizations and maybe even decided to make a donation of your own.

Thank you to those that took the time to post about their organization. You made a difference in 21 organizations today that will have a rippling effect of many children, families and individuals around the world.  1 person can make a difference!

Easter Joy

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays or maybe my memories of Easter how I remember it as a child is that which is my favorite.  As early as I can remember my sister and I looked forward to Easter baskets filled with goodies and surprises.  We also looked forward to the sunrise service at Tanglewood Baptist Church with a yummy breakfast to follow.  I grew up attending a small Baptist church in the country where everyone knew and loved each other… truly one big family.  My sister and I always loved getting our Easter dresses, hats and sometimes even a little purse to match.

I am aware that the Easter baskets we received were a treat but not the reason we celebrate this season.  I have a friend that does Spring baskets so the focus of Easter is Christ.  I think this is a great idea and maybe you want to institute this idea next year.

My gift for today was Easter baskets to children at the Caring Place, the local domestic violence shelter.  I filled the baskets with things I loved as a child.  Peeps, a chocolate bunny, stuffed animals, bubbles, play-doh, jump ropes, bubble bath and other little treasures. 

My hope with this gift today is that it will bring these children a little joy in a scary and unfamiliar situation.  I hope I have been able to provide these children a morning like I had growing up, excited to see what the Easter bunny had brought.  Finally, I hope the mothers of these children feel loved and that someone cares and is here supporting them during this time in their life.

If you have a domestic violence or homeless shelter in your community, it isn’t too late to call and see if the children will have Easter baskets on Easter morning.  If not, get some friends together and give joy to these children.

Mathew 28:6