continued from Cover...
6. Volunteer for a great cause. Think of local issues about which you really care. From animal shelters to Habitat for Humanity, there’s a ton of ways to give back to your community for the causes you’re most passionate about. 7. Know an exhausted parent? Offer to help! Many parents are still catching up on their “me” time after the lockdowns and hybrid/full-time at-home school year. You might not know just how deeply appreciated your offers to babysit, play games with the kids, and/or provide food or snacks can be. 8. Donate gently used clothing. Speaking of animal shelters, blankets and towels are often especially needed there! 9. Check in with a family member or friend. Maybe you haven’t talked to them in days, weeks, or years — either way, catching up with people and seeing how they’ve been handling these times might be the perfect way to reconnect in the new year. 10. Thank somebody. Go out of your way to thank someone, like a colleague, friend, or a family member. You may want to write them a letter or see them in-person to thank them for their influence or involvement in your life. The way you thank them is up to you. As long as your “thank you” means something special to you, it likely will to them too. Filling our lives with kindness is very rewarding and also healthy! Using a slang term that I do not use every day, Kindness is pretty rad, friends!
2. Cook and/or bake for people you care most about — or someone in need. Personally, cooking and baking are some of my favorite pastimes. When people at church or in my community have experienced a major life event like a death in the family, birth, or medical situation, I like to personally deliver meals whenever possible. During COVID-19, I couldn’t take home- cooked meals to people’s homes. Instead, I took a lunch of sub sandwiches to the fire department where our assistant’s husband is captain. I thanked them for their hard work as first responders and essential workers. Apparently, my homemade cookies vanished quickly, which certainly put a smile on my face! 3. Share your wisdom and become a mentor. You might not see yourself as a natural teacher or mentor, but there may be someone in your life — a young person, new co-worker, or friend — who could greatly benefit from your guidance. If a person doesn’t come to mind, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a great mentorship network for kids in need of positive influences. 4. Leave a $10 gift card in your neighbors’ mailboxes. Starbucks, Dutch Bros, or a nearby local coffeehouse are great choices! Whether you sign your name or not, this can be a great way to “pay it forward” for your neighbors and spread a little cheer nearby. 5. Praise a local business. Did you enjoy a meal at a local restaurant recently or get an excellent haircut? Especially after the pandemic, leaving them a positive Google rating makes a huge difference!
–Lisa Jones
January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, now is the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren’t just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding something in which you find pleasure is important. Here’s why! Hobbies are stress relievers. Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something in which you find pleasure. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time. Hobbies also provide eustress . Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under- stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY Skills That Enrich Us
2
DLJonesHomes.com
Dennis & Lisa Jones
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator