I am at Emerald Lake Lodge for a weekend getaway with my beloved.

And in the process I forgot to organize a guest blog for today!

While I love having a guest blog on Sundays and am always inspired by what others share, it is good sometimes to ‘shake it up’, just as it’s important to find value in all things.  The value in not having a guest blog, as well as the fact my laptop crashed which means I can’t access my files anyway, (I’m typing on my iPad) is that I get to sit in the sunshine on a comfy sofa in a quiet corner of the the main lodge and simply experience the day. It also means I can’t post photos until I get this issue with my laptop fixed.

The real difference though is that CC and I have taken time out to simply be, as BillWithers sings, “just the two of us”.

Making a difference begins for each of us when we take time to cherish and celebrate with those who make such a difference in our lives.

CC makes an enormous difference in my life. Getting away to a special mountain hideaway is a great way to honor and cherish the difference we make together and for each other.

And that’s important.

To celebrate those in our lives who make a difference.

To take time out from ‘the busy’ and just be, together, enjoying each others company and cherishing all we have and mean to each other.

Last night, beneath an azure sky deepening to dark we sat over a delicious dinner and looked into each others eyes and shared what a difference the past five years have made in both our lives.  Through the ups and downs, the ins and outs, the ‘we’re done here’s’ to the ‘let’s keep going on’s’, we have both grown and expanded and been made different.  Acknowledging ‘our maturation’ as CC calls it, taking time to thank the other for their teachings, and their gifts, to talk about where we’ve been, where we’re at, and where we want to go together makes a difference in how we feel, act and believe in each other and our togetherness.

If you can’t get away to be ‘just the two of us’ take a moment today to celebrate someone who makes a difference in your life. Tell them what they mean to you, let them know how their presence makes such a difference. Share your joy in having them in your life and let the moment of acknowledging make a difference in how you see into one another’s hearts.

Consciously choose to be in love, move in love, and live your love today.

May your difference be  in Love in everything you say, do and experience today.

Namaste.

I went to a drum circle last night. 100+ people gathered in a circle, beating on their drums, chanting in unison. 100+ people gathered together to use the rhythm of the drum as a means of creating community.

It was powerful and fun and enlivening and very very joyful.

Judy Atkinson, founder and guide at Circles of Rhythm, has been creating drum circles for over 15 years. Every Friday night, she brings in drums and music makers and shakers and invites anyone and everyone to come join her in the circle – ” To create expansive and improvised music, to awaken consciousness and to provide a Cosmic Musical Journey into the Unknown.” — as her website states.

And she does. Create joy and wonder and an opportunity for people, individually and collectively, to find their beat and pound it out, dance to it and smooth out the ridges of their day (and world). Judy inspires people to create harmony in their soul that ripples out into the world in a never-ending song of joy and celebration.

Judy Atkinson is a hero.

On Thursday night, I was one of four women gathered together to talk about Peace. Calgary’s Summer of Peace 2012 to be specific. Founded in the inspired thinking of Calgary-based life coach, Kerry Parsons, Summer of Peace is intended to create awareness, and synergy, within our hearts and minds and souls where we consciously choose to Act In Peace in all our circles. Summer of Peace is connected to a global movement ignited by Barbara Marx Hubbard and the Shift Network.

What a powerful circle — Judy Atkinson was part of the circle which is how I was inspired to drum on Friday night!  Kerry’s spirit is a bright beacon of hope for peace in our city — and our world. In her vision, we are a world at peace, given to peace, created by peace, driven to peace. In her dream which she is setting into motion, we are a world where each individual invests their life force in creating the one thing that will overpower war, and hatred, and famine and sorrow and a host of other human anxieties that disrupt our lives — PEACE.

Now is the time. Peace is the way. Kerry Parsons is a hero. 

(More on Summer of Peace 2012 coming up soon!)

I have been listening to some amazing music for the past two weeks. I can’t remember where I found the link — I am grateful to the person who connected me to it. (If it was you, please drop me a note so I can personally thank you!) Miracai Ceiba  is a duo consisting of guitarist/singer Markus Sieber and singer/harpist/keyboardist Angelika Baumbach. They come from different parts of the world. Markus is East German. Angelika was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in a small village near Mexico City, the daughter of a Mexican mother and German father. They tour the world sharing their engaging new style of world devotional music blending Gurmukhi mantras from the Kundalini Yoga tradition with original songs in English and Spanish that reflect a Native American influence and also draw words of wisdom from Rumi, Thich Nhat Hanh, Guru Nanak and Yogi Bhajan.

They are amazing and listening to their music creates peace in my heart. Miracai Ceiba are heroes as are all those who use music to awaken our spirits to the call of Love, Joy, Harmony and Peace.

To inspire you on this rainy morning in Calgary, here is a video of Miracai Ceiba chanting the healing mantra — Sa Ta Na Ma

It was four months of hard work, focused energy and a deep commitment to making a difference and last night, Linda Hawke, president of the board of directors for This is My City, stood in front of an audience and graciously thanked those who supported the This is My City Festival that was held between January and May of this year to celebrate, Arts from the Margins.

And what an event it was.

You can check out the happenings on the This is My City website here.

When Beth Gignac and her amazing team at the City of Calgary Arts & Culture department conceived of This is My City 4 years ago, it was impossible to see just what would happen when artists and homeless agencies and those with the lived experience of homelessness came together to explore — what it means to co-create from every side of the street.

In that co-creation, miracles happened. Lives changed and dreams came true and continue to be lived in vibrant, life-giving colour.

One man with the lived experience of homelessness, had a book of his paintings published with a Calgary Poet. Reg’s Trees

Jordan from the DI gets ready to ‘tag’

Another man, who took part in the world premiere production of Two Bit Oper Eh Shun? as part of the original This is My City project, is on his way to New York to participate with the amazingly talented and deep-hearted Onalea Gilbertson in the remounting of the oratorio when it will be staged as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in July under the new name — Requiem for a Lost Girl.

And there are countless other stories of change and miracles unfolding, not just of those with the homeless experience, but for those who participated as artist mentors, volunteers and contributors to the events over the course of the first year pilot project managed and funded by the City of Calgary, Arts & Culture department, and now under the banner of the This is My City Art Society.

This is My City is making a big and important difference in our city, and in the lives of those who participate, contribute and come out to support this important initiative.

Last night I attended the Festival closing ceremonies and was in awe of how one idea has grown into such a wondrous, exciting and important initiative.

And, I am grateful. As This is My City grew into the wonder of its presence on our streets, in the shelters, our homes and hearts today, I was able to contribute and participate in its growth. And in my participation, I too was changed. I too experienced wonder, growth and miracles happening in my life.

This is My City makes a difference.

Thank you everyone who helped make the difference shine throughout the festival this year. You are the difference we make when we act together with commitment and love towards making the world a better place for everyone, no matter what side of the street they walk on.

As most people know who read this blog, I have a Golden Retriever, Ellie, whom I affectionately call, The Wonder Pooch!

Ellie has been my ballast, my guide, my companion, my healer since my youngest daughter and I picked her out of the litter when she was six weeks old. When she came home with us 3 weeks later, she was a bundle of squirmy, squiggly, oozy joy that could not get enough of being hugged and held and loved.

Not much has changed since that August day in 2001 when we brought Ellie home from the breeder — except perhaps that she’s gotten to big to hold in our laps! Oh. And the difference she makes in our lives keeps growing.

When I was going through the relationship from hell (check out the sidebar on Recover Your Joy for more info), Ellie was by my side. She endured what I endured. Some of it I sheltered her from as best I could — but I was pretty sick in those days and not in my right mind and didn’t do a great job of protecting the ones I love. Regardless of how poorly I did to protect her, however,  she always took care of me. She knew my fear, my terror, my sorrow, my angst. And she stuck by me.

Dogs do that. They stick by their owners. They protect us. Stand beside us. Guide us. Console us.

Dogs make a difference.

As I type this, Marley, the great cat, sits on the mousepad beside me, leaving just enough room for me to manipulate the mouse, one paw stretched out to touch my arm as I type, a loud purr emanating from somewhere deep within his body. Rescued from the humane society, Marley came into our home two and a half years ago to clear the mice out of the house. He did and he still does. And in between patrolling for mice, he graces us with his presence, demanding affection and food and commanding us to open the door whenever he wants out, or in. He is a cat and he rules. And we know it.

Recently, I met a woman who was coming out of an abusive relationship. “I’d get a dog,” she said tearfully, “but I’m terrified I couldn’t take care of it.”

Get a plant, I counselled.

Ellie Makes Me Smile

Get a plant and if it survives three months, get a fish. If the fish survives three months, then, and only then, consider a dog.

Sometimes, we have to teach ourselves that we have the power to sustain life, to nurture it, to cherish it, to worship it, by starting small.

Sometimes, starting small is the only way to know, we can make a difference. Sometimes, starting small is the only way we can teach ourselves, we have the power to make a difference.

If you are worried about ‘how will I make a difference’, or ‘does my difference even count’, start small.

Smile at a stranger. Pick up a piece of garbage on the sidewalk. Let another driver merge — and keep your heart gentle and your mind open while you do it.

Teach yourself, one act at a time, that you have the power and the capacity to make a difference. And eventually, your difference will be felt deep within you. and in your difference you will know — My difference counts because… I make a difference.

Ellie teaches me this everyday. In our relationship I know the difference we share is, Love. When I needed to heal, she was there. Today, no matter my mood, my feelings, my state of mind or being, she is always there, loving me into knowing, I make a difference.

I am walking along a downtown street on the curbside, when a man walking in the opposite direction, darts across the sidewalk and grabs my arm. “Well! Aren’t you just a breath of fresh air!” he exclaims giving me a big hug.

I laugh and hug him back.

“I miss you,” he says. “We all miss you.”

He is a client of the homeless shelter where I used to work. He’s not homeless any longer. He has his own apartment, is receiving government assistance as his mental health issues make working difficult. One of the counsellors at the shelter worked with him to ensure he received support. And he is grateful.

He’s also grateful for his apartment, his ‘abundance’ and his, what he calls, escape from shelter life.

As we chat, a van drives past us, the driver honks, a woman leans out the window and she yells hello!  I wave back, the man waves back and we laugh. We’re causing quite a scene standing on the street during rush hour. Except, the man and woman are also known to both of us. They too were once at the shelter.

“Jack” and I chat for a few minutes. He tells me about a friend of his who is still living at the shelter. I know the man. He is kind and caring, and lost. His mental health issues impede his ability to move out of the shelter. “I got my cheque the other day,” Jack tells me. “I’m so grateful for the raise the government just gave me, I decided to share my wealth. I gave him $50 and told him to consider it an early birthday gift.”

I smile.

Those who have little do that a lot. Share what they have with grace and open heartedness.

Jack and I talk some more until we agree, it may be the beginning of May but it sure feels like winter. Time to continue on to our destinations. I thank him for stopping to chat with me. He hugs me again and repeats. “I sure miss you!  Lost of people miss you!”

“I miss you too and everyone else,” I tell him before crossing the street. On the other side a man is waiting at the light to cross in the other direction. I know him from the shelter too. Except this man is the CEO of an organization that serves lunch or helps out with other tasks at the shelter.

We chat for a moment. “I’ve missed seeing you when I’ve been there,” he tells me, handing me his card. We promise to connect for a coffee and continue on with our day.

Chance encounters which left me smiling and feeling uplifted. Chance encounters that made a difference in my day.

It is so easy to make a difference on the street. Jack took the time to stop and acknowledge me. The couple passing by took the time to wave and smile. The man on the corner waited to say hello. And in their acts of grace, my life was enriched.

What can you do today to enrich the life of another with small significances that go a long way to making a difference in their day? What small act can you commit todayto add light and laughter and smiles and love to someone else’s life?

We are out to dinner with a couple, Carol and Gerry, from New York. Longtime friends, Carol, is an avid volunteer. The conversation turns to ‘making a difference’ and Liseanne, my youngest daughter, shares the story of recently driving with her boyfriend past a man walking along the edge of a busy thoroughfare who was obviously inebriated and in distress. The street was too busy to stop on so they called 911, turned around, and kept driving past him until EMS arrived. “We couldn’t just leave him there,” my daughter explained.

One day, while walking through an open area outside a large department store at a local mall, I passed a man sitting on the cold, marble floor. He was holding his head in both hands and rocking back and forth. I stopped to check on him and realizing he was intoxicated and in distress, I called for assistance. While waiting for EMS, I sat on the floor with him and chatted.  His relationship had just broken up, he had just lost his job and he was feeling hopeless. When EMS arrived, he kept telling them while pointing at me, “She’s not part of the problem. She was only trying to help.” When I left him in the hands of EMS and two very kind police officers, I knew he would be well cared for — in the moment. But what about afterwards?

What about when he awoke and faced the demons that had pushed him over the edge to that place where all he could think to do was to sit in the courtyard of a busy mall or lay on the grassy verge of a busy road? Would he love himself? Would he be able to face himself in the mirror and say, ‘I’m okay?’ Or, would his self-talk be riddled with shame speak? Would his inner critic keep pushing him down, beating him up and telling him what he kept repeating to me as we sat on the floor together, ‘There’s no point. I’m such a loser.’

Shame. We all have it. We all carry it. And, if we want to make a difference in the world, it’s vital that we all let it go so that we can move with courage and grace into that place where who we are is the one we love unconditionally.

Brene Brown, in her outstanding book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are, writes about ‘Wholehearted Living’. Her research, and experience, of shame and its debilitating effects on our human condition has provided her with concrete evidence that to ‘be happy’ we have to be willing to let our true selves be seen and known. We have to understand the power of fear and shame and know, we are good enough.

To make a difference in the world, we have to start within ourselves. We must let go of what keeps us playing small so that we can turn up the light and be the brilliant beings of love and compassion and joy and grace we are born to be. We must let go of shame.

As Brene Brown writes:

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy — the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.  Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of light.”

Are you carrying shame? Regrets? Self-loathing? Are you playing small?

Start practicing courage, compassion and connection in your life today — the foundations of what Brown calls, wholehearted living. Invite “You learn courage by couraging.” writes Mary Daly.

Do one courageous act today and make a difference in your heart, and let the whole world will light up around you.

I was one of about 100 volunteers giving their time at Choices this weekend — Choices is a personal development program that is founded on the belief it is possible to “assist people in living their lives with clarity and passion,” by providing them with simple tools to help each participant live their dreams with joy, passion, peace and abundance.

Choices is held in Calgary, Vancouver and Dallas, Texas, nine times a year. And every time it’s offered, volunteers come out to give back.

That’s a powerful testament to what Choices offers. It’s also powerful statement of the effectiveness of the processes, the tools, and the community of people who connect through their shared experience and want to keep coming back to give and receive value.

I went through Choices six years ago. Both my daughters went through that same year and they too, as often as possible, come back to assist whenever they can.

Recently, my eldest daughter said, “The tools work, as long as I work the tools.”

She’s wise my daughter. So often, we ‘know’ what we need to do, but…. habit, fear, confusion, all the things we do that get in the way of living rich and fulfilling lives, impede our progress because we forget to use the tools we have to create more of what we want in our life.

The Choices tools are nothing earth-shattering. They’re simple and effective. “If I do what I’ve always done, I’ll get what I’ve always got,” reminds us to ‘change our glasses’ and step outside our comfort zone. “I Hear. Think. Feel” is another tool trainees learn to use to clean up communication and deepen intimacy in relationships.

Coming back to volunteer keeps the tools alive in my life. And, coming back connects me to people eager to live on purpose, excited about being their best, and committed to living with heart.

When I’m in the Choices room I know I am loved, exactly the way I am. I know I add value, have value, and can find value in everything going on around me. In the Choices room, I get ‘real’ without fearing I’m not good enough or I don’t do enough. I know, 100%, I am enough, just the way I am.

And that’s why I volunteer. Yes, it makes a difference in my life to give back, to be part of Choices founder, Thelma Box’s dream of ‘Changing the world one heart at a time”. Yes, it is wonderful to see hearts break open in love, to witness dreams take flight and spirits soar free. And, yes, I love connecting with each person I meet and following the three rules every coach is given at the beginning of each training session, “Love the people when they walk in the room. Love the people when they walk in the room. Love the people when they walk in the room.” And in that loving, in helping hearts break open, in watching dreams take flight and miracles unfold, there is a very selfish reason for volunteering. It makes a difference in my life. It helps me continue to grow and expand and fall deeper in love with me.

I got to make a difference coaching at Choices this weekend. And in the process, I was made different — not in big, sweeping ways — but rather, in those small, incremental happenings where each moment I become richer because of the people I meet, the experiences we share and the love that grows for and with all humanity. In volunteering I deepen my understanding of who I am, how I am and where I am at in the world around me.

In volunteering, I become richer for the experience.

Namaste.

He is young. Articulate. Caring. He’s building his place in corporate Calgary and he’s charting his path with philanthropy at the core of all he does. Des Nwaerondu gives. Back and forwards and up and down. Des is a young man committed to making a difference — in business, in life and in the world. I met him for the first time earlier this year when, after hearing my talk at TEDxCalgary, he emailed to ask if I’d have coffee with him. From that simple cup of coffee, we both came away inspired. Des has gone on to get involved with the United Way of Calgary’s BeCause campaign and continues to look for ways to ‘give back’.  I’ve continued to write every day about making a difference and today, Des shares a touching story of what lit his ‘volunteer fire’ and inspires us with ways to get our fires burning brightly.

Because, as Des invites us all to make a difference, there is power when we unite as one and become the difference we want to see in the world.

Thank you Des for sharing your spirit here with such grace and ease. Thank you for all you do to make a world of difference!

*************************************************

Spread Like Wildfire

Guest Blog by Des Nwaerondu

Being a positive and optimistic person can be contagious and spread like wildfire to all of those around you.  I strive daily to take the “glass is half full” approach which, I know makes a difference in people’s lives. One of the main ways I portray this is through volunteering.  I encourage everyone to get involved in volunteering because not only will you do it, you will get others involved and your energy, initiative and liveliness will be contagious and hopefully spread like wildfire.

One of my business (and personal) goals this year is to put in over 200 volunteer hours at various organizations around Calgary and around the world. I’m almost a quarter of the way to my goal currently and expecting a majority of my hours to come from a two week trip in November building homes with Habitat for Humanity in Thailand and giving back to those living in a less fortunate circumstance than many of us.

When Louise first started her Year of Making a Difference blog I was sceptical that she could find something to write about daily, but I liked the challenge she set for herself and began reading along. I realized that making a difference occurs daily and you just have to take a second and look back at what you’ve done. In reading Louise’s articles, you’ll notice that things as simple as driving someone who needed a ride, giving career advice to someone who was looking to apply for a job or simply picking up a piece of garbage has and will continue to change the way the world turns and make a difference. In reading her blog I began to think about what I am doing to change the world and how my positive actions can help foster a culture that is focused on giving more than receiving.

My “inner fire” in volunteering started after a friend’s brother passed away from cancer at the age of 19. It was a hard time for both her and her family and it resonated with me, a very naive 20-year old. I thought, what would happen if this was me? The remarkable story is that this young man, Daniel, continued to live his life to the fullest every day that he was alive and never let his cancer get him down (or at least he didn’t show it). His funeral was a celebration of his life and the difference he made in over 500 lives of people that attended.  The fire in me started on that day and continues to burn stronger and stronger every day. It has gotten me involved in events like: The Relay for Life, The Underwear Affair Run & Walk, Breast Cancer fundraisers, Kid’s Cancer fundraisers and 2 years ago I started my own fundraiser named Des Fights Cancer. This annual event I host is a night dedicated to raising money towards cancer research and raising awareness that cancer can be fought and protection can be purchased to reduce the financial burden of those distressed by cancer.

In the numerous fundraisers I participate in, volunteer for or host throughout the year I’ve noticed one thing. The more I talk about them, the more people want to become involved, participate, donate or simply give back. People often ask me “what’s the next event you’ll be involved with and how can I help?” The small wildfire within me continues to spread to my friends, family, colleagues and even those who I barely know through social media.

I think Calgary Mayor  Nenshi summed it up best when he came up with his 3 things campaign.

1. Decide what you are going to do to change this city.
2. Do what you said you would do.
3. Then, tell others what you have done.

If you have that fire burning within you, let it spread and let’s all unite as one and make an impact on not only this city, but let’s make a difference in this world!

It’s Saturday! Time to celebrate the heroes in our midst. Those ordinary people living extraordinary lives everyday.

Four years ago, my friend Tamara fell ill to a debilitating illness. She hasn’t been able to work, has required over 11 surgeries and has been unable to do many of the things she loves to do. Currently, she is undergoing very challenging, and painful, therapy for her disease in the hopes this will rid her body of the infection that has caused her so much pain and discomfort. Last week, Tamara wrote me, “I am moving forward and letting go of trying to control [this], accepting the gift of healing. So everyday is a bit brighter and closer to the end of this phase in my life…” Her optimism, attitude and grace inspire me everyday. Tamara is amazing!

Tamara is a hero!

and whenever I think of people with chronic illnesses, I think of my sister and her amazing courage.  Jackie has had a chronic disease for most of her adult life. Countless surgeries that have resulted in bits of her body being cut out, devices to help her body function being inserted and endless rounds of drugs and therapies have taken a toll. Yet, my sister doesn’t complain. She doesn’t wrap herself up in a cloak of ‘woe is me’. She remains, positive, living each day with grace and ease, doing things for others, taking care of our mother, being the amazing sister and aunt and step-mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend she is to everyone. Here’s to Jackie and those who suffer chronic illnesses, especially Crohns.

Jackie T is a hero.

Bev and Larry Pettigrew raised two beautiful and loving sons. And, along the way, they also created a home for foster children with disabilities. Their sons are adults now with families of their own, and still today, Bev and Larry continue to love and shelter two young foster children with significant life challenges. As well, they work with other foster parents, shedding light on the challenges and joys of foster-parenting, providing guidance and counsel to others, sharing their wisdom, knowledge and love fearlessly and willingly to ensure every child receives the help and love they deserve, and every foster parent the support and guidance they need to be loving parents to these children.

Bev and Larry are heroes.

The first time I saw The Butterfly Circus, I was moved to tears. Inspired by the story, and Nick Vujicic, the lead actor’s journey in life, I used The Butterfly Circus in the self-esteem courses I taught at the homeless shelter where I used to work. Give yourself the gift of inspiration and take 20 minutes to watch this beautiful and awe-inspiring film from Doorpost Film Project Productions.

Nick Vujicic and Doorpost Film are heroes!

I spent a couple of hours yesterday volunteering at the Choices office organizing groups for this weekends Givers 2 training. It was a delightful, and productive, two hours where I got to live on purpose, grounded in my belief in the importance of giving back.

And as I worked, other volunteers were in the main seminar room assisting in the five day Choices seminar.

And as they coached, other volunteers were connecting with trainees, ensuring they are feeling supported and loved as they prepare to come back for this weekends Givers 1 and Givers 2 training sessions.

And as they connected, more volunteers are out there in the world working to ensure organizations and charities and amateur sports teams and medical research facilities and hospice care centers and hospitals and animal shelters and a host of other organizations that could not work without their support, continue to operate, to deliver services and care to people, just like you and me.

Volunteering makes a difference.

Volunteers are the difference.

At lunch today I am meeting with members of the This is My City —  Tip Your Hat organizing committee. We are preparing for this year’s event during Stampede. Everyone on the committee is committed to making a difference, to ensuring this years Tip Your Hat is even more successful than last year’s.

Yesterday I meet with my friend, Dave Tod, who is organizing a 24 hour golf charity event on behalf of a local agency that works with individuals with mental health issues. Golf-around-the clock is his brainchild — that’s assuming someone who willingly, knowingly, consciously golfs for 24 hours straight has a brain! (But then… I volunteered to accompany him on the course throughout the 24 hours so I could tweet and blog and promote the event for him! Colour me crazy too!)  He volunteers his time and energy to create this event because…. it makes a difference.

Whether you give a couple of hours to organize paperwork, answer phones, sort mail, or you sit on a board of directors for an agency of any sort, whenever and whatever you volunteer — your time, treasures, talents — your spirit  makes the difference.

As you move through your day, watch for volunteers. Those kids on the corner with Green Peace… they’re volunteers. Do share a smile with them. You may not agree with their convictions — but they care enough to give their time. Volunteering a smile costs nothing and makes a difference.

That woman in the giftshop at the hospital? She’s a volunteer. Give her a smile. It will brighten her day.

That man shepherding visitors in and out of the Emergency room. He’s a volunteer. Say hello. Share a greeting. You will encourage his giving.

It doesn’t take much to make a world of difference. Sometimes, all we need to do is notice those around us who are volunteering their time, and smile.