A Season of Generosity | Giving Back

I was taught from the time I was a small child that the holiday season is the time for giving, which is why I’m calling it the Season of Generosity.

My parents loved this time of year; my dad spent hours in his wood shop and my mom’s sewing machine seemed to never stop humming. There was always something baking or simmering on the stovetop.

They not only created most of the gifts my siblings and I found under our tree, but there were also piles of baskets and boxes stuffed with gifts and treats that went out to countless friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

level of softness

Simple and heartfelt gestures:

• Volunteer to watch someone’s children for a few hours so they can do some shopping, prepare some meals, work on holiday projects.

• Treat your co-workers with some home-baked goodies or a big bowl of fruit to help keep immune systems healthy through the winter months.

• Make some home-made doggie treats and give them out to dog-walkers passing by.

• Do you sew, knit, or crochet? Those are some mad skills! Put them to use making hats, scarves, blankets, and booties - give to loved ones or donate to organizations that will distribute to those in need.

• Create spa-like baskets for the overworked ladies in your life! Add a candle, some bubble bath or bath bombs, scented soaps or lotions, mani-pedi tools, a fluffy loofa - all items can easily be found at your local dollar store but come together to create a luxurious gift item.

• Volunteer! How ‘bout some of these Nationally recognized places??? Anything spark a passion with you?

  • ASPCA

  • St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals

  • Meals on Wheels

• And if you find that you have just a little something in your bank account that you’d like to bless someone with, consider making a donation to a charitable organization of your choice. (Might I suggest Point Hope - a voice for forgotten children?!)
  
  Donations to one of these groups will help put gifts under to tree for children that wouldn’t otherwise have one to unwrap. i

  • Toys for Tots

  • Angel Tree

I hope you find the joy in giving back this season! There is so much to be thankful for, and I am beyond thankful for all of you, my listeners, my readers, my supporters!

If you have more ideas for ways to give back please share them in the comments section or visit me on my Facebook or Instagram (@radiodelilah) pages and comment there.

Happy Holidays my friends!

One Heart At A Time | September Book Club

Visit the One Heart At A Time page

Let me tell you about my new book, One Heart At A Time!

At Rosetta Books urging, I began the process of putting my personal journey, referred to by many as "philanthropy," (but something I simply call giving back) down in written format.

It's something I believe we should all be encouraged to do, and what my goal was and is with this book. It's also my belief that giving back is something that we are born understanding. Humans are social creatures and intrinsically know that we need one another to survive. That God-given knowledge is often discouraged however, in deference to "becoming successful" and "getting ahead" and from and early age we become conditioned instead to be ego-centric beings. 

One Heart At A Time is all about my personal philosophy; big change happens by small measures. One. Heart. At. A. Time.

In my book, I'll tell you about my family, my childhood, my upbringing, and my many life experiences - the good, the bad, the ugly, and the down right hilarious - and I'll talk about how this life I've led, and the people in it, have shaped me into the person I am today. 

"If we are going to change the world, one heart at a time, we must make sure we and those closest to us are fully engaged and aware of the beauty of the natural world, fully engaged in real life, real connections, real human and nature interactive experiences. We should be more excited about reality than reality shows...

...What if you took it upon yourself to spend time with a young person, instilling in them something to care about?

...Believe in a young person, and you will change the world for  that person. Teach a young person that talking is better than texting and reality is better than virtual reality - and indeed you will be doing that child and this world a great service."

(pg 181-182)

One Heart At A Time was a true labor of love. Finishing it was a true labor! Continuing to write after I'd lost my Zacky was difficult, to put it in the mildest terms, taking every ounce of effort I could muster. But One Heart, is also a tribute to my son, who has challenged and shaped me from the very moment he was conceived, and will continue to do so until our glorious reunion in the house of Our Father.

We’re going to change the world with love, one person at a time, one heart a time. Take the time in your life to know the person you’re next to, to know your neighbors, to care for your friends, and know what is on their heart.

I hope the book inspires and motivates you to reach inside yourself, through the web of personal experiences, triumphs, and tragedies, and take just one step outside your own reality in order to make a difference in another's life. In doing so you will feel your own weight lifted, and be awed at the domino effect of good and ever expanding love that you've initiated. 

One Heart At A Time will be available on October 12, in paperback, digital, and audio formats.

Please take a moment to visit the One Heart book page, which has more information about the book, its author (me!), endorsements from the likes of Debbie Macomber and Robin Roberts, and pre-order your copy today!

Pre-Order One Heart At A Time

Thank you, my dear friends! I hope you enjoy reading One Heart At A Time and it inspires you to open your heart to the vast possibilities of loving others into better lives!

A Season of Giving | Balsam Hill Donates to Point Hope

Christmas is one of the best times of year to lend a helping hand to those in need. In keeping with the spirit of the season, and on behalf of Point Hope, I'm thrilled to partner with Balsam Hill, a company that is not only the leading provider of premium realistic artificial trees, but also one that places high value on giving back to the community.

This December 7 through January 8, Balsam Hill will be launching its annual “A Season of Giving” philanthropic campaign. For each engagement on campaign-related posts social media, they will be matching with a donation for five participating charitable organizations while encouraging others to help spread awareness about each worthy cause.

The participating charities include; the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Idaho, JDRF of Minnesota, Enchanted Makeovers, Point Hope, and Reba’s Ranch House, with each to be featured on the Balsam Hill Facebook page, blog, and Philanthropy page.

Every share, comment, or Facebook reaction is equivalent to a dollar amount, and Balsam Hill will tally all the engagements and donate corresponding funds to each organization.

This is not the first giving campaign where Balsam Hill has made Point Hope a benefactor of their philanthropic work. I can't express my gratitude to Balsam Hill, and all the really beautiful and giving people within the organization for inviting us to participate in their "A Season of Giving" campaign.

Please help spread the word and join us in supporting Point Hope and their mission to be a voice for forgotten children.

Visit the Point Hope page, and Balsam Hill's blog and Facebook page to learn more!