This post is sponsored by Stonyfield Organic.
During the holiday season, I find myself reflecting a lot on what I’m thankful for. In a stressful season, hitting the pause button to say Thank You provides an important reality check. We all have our struggles, big and small, and my aim is always to make a positive impact where I can. When I feel overwhelmed by being unable to single-handedly change something big, I think about how small changes can add up. I honestly believe that when we go about our day feeling like we’ve done our best to be kind and spread positive energy, it makes us feel better and more capable of continuing to make a positive impact. That spreads to those around us, and the effect continues to build over time. Even small contributions count. Even when we think no one is watching.
If all that sounds a little woo-woo, consider the source, obviously. I mean, I’ll admit to keeping crystals on my desk. I am my mother’s daughter, and it’s true what they say: The crystal does not fall far from the cluster.
That said, this approach has never steered me wrong, and I think it’s a big part of how I’m able to maintain a positive outlook or at least acknowledge a silver lining when what comes out of my mouth sounds a little more like “$***@*%&*!”
This holiday season, Stonyfield Organic provided me with a $50 VISA gift card to donate to a charity of my choice. I chose to make a donation to the ALS Association to support research on this disease. As some of you know, I’ve been working in a weekly neurology clinic since 2014, where I see patients with motor neuron diseases like ALS. Though it’s a seemingly small piece of my big picture, being part of the clinic team and the work we do there is incredibly meaningful to me. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and from my patients and their families about what it means to care for others. It’s also taught me a lot about what’s truly important in this life. As you can imagine, working with individuals whose functional ability to eat becomes impaired has changed my relationship with food and helped me become more sensitive to the emotional and social factors around eating.
The ALS Association does amazing work, “leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.” Thank you to Stonyfield for making such a generous gift possible! I’m so happy to be able to contribute to this organization, and if you’re looking for a meaningful charity to put on your holiday gifting list this year, I’d strongly encourage you to consider ALSA.
What are some charities that are near and dear to your heart? And did anyone else out there grow up in a house filled with crystals?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Stonyfield Organic, who provided me with a gift card to donate to the charity of my choice as part of my participation in their Clean Plate Club. I was not compensated for my time. Opinions are my own.