This Year's Advent Theme...

I had a difficult time coming up with a theme for this year's Advent. I originally wanted to explore holiday song mashups. Only I couldn't find enough for 25 days. ( Maybe next year...)

As the federal government was shut down for a record 44 days, I increasingly became more and more concerned about those receiving SNAP benefits.With  November 1 looming on the calendar, I noticed that a number of restaurants and eateries were doing their part by offering discounted meals and 2-for-1 donations where, for example, if you bought a loaf of bread, the restaurant in question would donate a loaf to a local food bank.

Being in the culinary industry, I was so impressed with the innovation and generosity of my cohorts. At the school where I teach, I provide snacks for students who experience hunger. Though I suspect a number of the kids I take care of probably have enough to sustain them and just want free food. So I have created a reserve of more calorie dense foods that, in coordinating with my school's counseling team, can help students that are in the most dire need.

After 9/11, we saw a rise in charity and goodness to our fellow man. Unfortunately, that brotherhood was way too brief. I really don't want to see the rise in generosity and love towards those in need of help end... EVER. Who knows when the next such crisis will hit? And just because SNAP benefits have returned, that doesn't mean that those needing a helping hand aren't out of the woods of poverty, economic instability and employment insecurity. Thus, this year's Advent: Spread the Joy!

For the first time ever, I will be working with my wife on my annual holiday countdown. With her help, I will be focusing on 25 charitable organizations that need continual help to assist others in need. I will try (primarily) to feature charities and programs that are at least nationwide throughout the United States. Though my wife might be able to help me discover a few with international reach. It might be too late to help some of these organizations with their 2025 Christmas outreaches. But it's never too late to help them plan for next year!

And now before I sign off, here's my bride Jan with a brief message about how being generous is actually beneficial for your health...

If, like Phoebe on Friends, you are thinking of donating as a selfless good deed, think again!  Generosity is good for the recipient AND the giver!  You get a dopamine hit (feel good chemical) from the reward center in your brain.  Being generous has more physical benefits as well, reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure.  And in addition to reducing negatives, generosity also can improve your mood and how you feel about yourself.  You may even sleep better and have an easier time fending off the cold and flu germs rampant this time of year.  And maybe best of all, generosity is contagious!  Ever hear of those long lines of cars at drive thru windows, each car paying for the order of the car behind them?  That's because of our tendency to mirror and sync up our behavior with those around us.  So your generosity may inspire others to do the same.  So choose one or choose them all, and Spread the Joy!