My Christmas Wish List - "Gift Me Charity"

It's that crazy time of year again and right on cue the shops are buzzing with thousands of little consumer bees, all in the name of "giving". But what if this year, instead of spending our usual $500 million (throughout Australia) on unwanted and unneeded gifts, we used our $$$ to make a real difference?

Launched just in time for Christmas, Gift Me Charity, is an amazing platform (created by an inspiring friend of mine) which connects gift givers to their recipients’ charities of choice through online profiles, allowing friends and family the ability to donate on a loved one’s behalf rather than wasting money on unnecessary gifts. 

 

It's super simple, all you need to do is go to www.giftmecharity.com.au, login (preferably through Facebook), select your charity of choice and Gift Me Charity will create a profile for you which you can then share with family and friends.

The aim is to raise $1million for charity by the end of the year - who's in? I am! http://www.giftmecharity.com.au/Rachel

Ask a question, save a life.

ARE YOU OK?  How often do you ask this of your friends, your family, your colleagues, your neighbours? And, if and when you do ask, how often are you prepared to give them enough time and compassion to truly answer it?

This Thursday the 15th of September is R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of depression, mental illness and to aid in suicide prevention is encouraging people to start life saving conversations using the simple question, "Are you ok?".

"Connection is a crucial part of general health and well being. It helps people cope with stressful life events, mental health problems, relationship breakdowns and bereavement. Staying connected is as simple as having regular, meaningful conversations." - R U OK Flyer

While I was reading over the campaign this morning, I began questioning how often I ask this question of the people I love. I know I ask "how you going?" but it's more often than not attached to a greeting, which I think rarely elicits much of a genuine response. I know that when somebody asks the same of me, I'll seldom feel compelled to respond with more than "good thanks", rather than "well actually I was up all night with life-draining menstrual cramps, I'm feeling overwhelmed by bills this week and in general I don't feel like I'm reaching my full potential in life" (come on, we've all had one of those days!).

Asking "Are you ok?" is different though, it's less obligatory and more direct. Combine it with sitting down over a juice, coffee or beer and it might just be enough to encourage someone to lighten their load, to share a problem, to ask for help.

More than 2,100 Australians suicide each year and countless others suffer in silence with depression and mental illness. So this Thursday, R U OK? is asking you to reach out and connect with somebody you care for. Check out the website, print out a poster for school or work and spread the word, but most of all don't forget to make an extra special effort this Thursday (or any day for that matter) to take the time to sit down with somebody you care about and ask them, "are you ok?".

I'll let Hugh have the final word...

Why being kind is a kindness to yourself

My beautiful mum shared this information with me and I thought it was too good not to pass on:

"Research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness. Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved." - Dr Wayne Dyer

And just in case that's not motivation enough, a friend (with a Masters Degree in Psychology) then added that during her studies she read of an experiment that showed that the levels of seratonin in the person giving was actually higher than the one receiving. Giddy up! 

Living the good life

 

Introducing my new essential items for "living the GOOD life"! 

I'm pleased to announce the nasty, disposable drink bottle(s) littering my handbag, car and eventually the PLANET have now been replaced with one shiny, new, stainless steel bottle which is not only environmentally friendly but also looks better, makes my water taste better (more like water, less like plastic) and is overall a healthier choice. The second item which has been getting a daily work out is my super practical (oh I am getting old aren't I?!) environmentally friendly, fabric bag which zips up inside itself so I now always have one at the ready in my handbag. I'm generally good at refusing (see The REFUSE Pledge) plastic bags, especially when making small purchases, but my spontaneous grocery shops were becoming a plastic bag party because I never had my bulky, fabric bags with me when I needed them. However, I'm happy to report that since purchasing my fabric zip bag I have politely refused every plastic bag offered to me this week.

And last but definitely not least are the beautiful "Kindness Cards" that arrived in the mail from Wake Up Sydney this week. The idea being that when you perform an act of kindness you pass the card on and ask that person to continue the kindess:

"Do something kind and leave this card behind to keep the ripple going."

A tribute to my greatest teacher

 

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude" - Cynthia Ozick

I have had many teachers along the way; some loveable and infinitely memorable, whilst others I would prefer to forget. They weren't always in the classroom and many who have made the biggest impact on my life have never held a teaching degree. Their ages range from eighteen months to 104 years and they have come in many forms: strangers, friends, family, work colleagues, even animals. I didn't always like the lessons they had to teach but in hindsight I now see they were invaluable and I would like to take this opportunity to express my boundless gratitude to all of them.

There is one however, that shines far brighter the rest and whom I would especially like to pay tribute to today. Whilst she might not be aware of it, she is the inspiration for me embarking on this journey of the social conscience, and the reason for this is twofold: firstly because she gave birth to me and without her I would not even be here today; but secondly, because she has been my most influential role model, teacher and guide in matters of love, compassion, generosity and kindness.  She above all others is the one who has instilled and inspired in me a strong desire to be good and do good and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Now I know I am slightly biased in my praise and admiration of her but I'm sure there are many others who would join me in celebrating her beautiful humanity and infectious spirit. She taught me many lessons, some spoken: "treat others the way you would want to be treated" and "play the 'glad game'"; others unspoken, such as how to look for and find the good in the world and to show kindness and compassion, leading by example. Her empathy is limitless, she shares in the joys and sorrows of anybody and everybody who touches her life, with many tears and I would hope even more laughter. She has a passion for little people and I am so proud that she now makes a living out of working in the classroom as a teacher's aide, instilling all the most important lessons in the future generations. Her enthusiasm, passion, kindness and compassion are infectious and I am so happy and grateful that she continues to spread her gifts among the many little people who are lucky enough to pass through her classroom. If everybody grew up with a little bit of Mrs Banks in their lives, the world would be an immeasurably better place.

I would like to share one example of her humanity and generous spirit that particularly stands out in my mind. Firstly I need to frame this story by saying my mother has an obsession with long hair. She has always had beautiful, golden, long hair (and probably always will) and during my childhood any suggestion of my sister or I getting our hair cut was met with unbridled shock and horror: "You have such beautiful, long hair, why would you want to cut it off??!!".

It was a couple of years ago when my mother was working in the school library, I remember her coming home and telling me about a beautiful little girl in the lower primary school who had started losing her hair. They eventually discovered that she had a rare condition and whilst it wasn't life threatening, it meant that she would lose all her hair, permanently. Mum was very distressed, not because of her love of hair but because this beautiful little person (whom she only knew from library visits) might suffer taunts and trauma during some of her most formative years as a result of this hair loss.

Less than a week later I remember Mum coming home and telling me she was going to cut off her hair, to which I immediately responded: "But you have such beautiful, long hair, why would you want to cut it off??!!". I can tell you now the reasons were her empathy, compassion, generosity and kindness: the little girl needed a wig, the cost was great and the wait was long so my Mum had decided she would donate her own hair. As it turns out they could only use uncoloured hair so in the end she got to keep her long, golden locks but I think the gesture of offering speaks just as loudly as the act itself.

I love you Mum. Thank you for teaching me the most important and valuable lessons in life. I am so proud to be your daughter. Happy Mother's Day x

Seek and You Shall Find

Every day provides an opportunity for a new discovery and today I feel as if I have stumbled on a goldmine! I was browsing the web looking for a little inspiration when I remembered a friend telling me about an amazing social consciousness/kindness event called "Wake Up Sydney" which was held in Town Hall last year. I was only really hoping to find out if they were holding another one this year (which they are - numerous actually!) but in doing so, discovered not only a bounty of inspiring events I can attend, but even more exciting, an amazing community of creative Sydney-based individuals who are dedicated to inspiring a "kindness revolution through art, beauty and wisdom" and wait for it... have a vision to make Sydney the 'kindness capital of the world! Sounds like my kind of people!

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better the Wake Up Sydney website offered me a free gift of 'kindness cards' which I am very happy to report will shortly be arriving in my mailbox so I can unleash my kindness on more unsuspecting Sydneysiders and hopefully contribute to the Pay It Forward movement.

I look forward to sharing some of my Wake Up Sydney experiences with you soon!