Finding Pace, Love, and Joy this Holiday Season

There's an interesting balance that happens to one's psyche during the Holidays.

I don't know about you, but I still make a Christmas list to hand out to my immediate family. If not, I would get clothes from Rocawear and a lot of sleepwear. My mom expects the list before Black Friday and I'm always excited to write my top movies and books I've been itching to have in my collection.

Now don't get the wrong idea about me. I'm not crazy materialistic and expect my family to drop hundred on me for one day. Besides, Christmas is also my brother's birthday, so there's a power balance between how we celebrate the day.

Anyways, I don't ask for much, any big purchase I leave to myself. I'm still saving for an iPad2. Back to my point.

Everyone gets ready for the shopping season, instead of the holiday season. Black Friday isn't designated to a single day anymore, stores are building on a Black Week to beat their competitions. As loyal consumers, we flock to any door buster deal we can find!

What I don't hear in the advertisements or see on any sign is the true spirit of the holidays. I know we get the occasional Lifetime movie on the re-imagination of a Christmas Carol but does that actually move anyone to change their materialistic Scrooge ways?

I'm not a saint, and I try not to claim to be. But as I get older, I feel my inside knot when I see my bills and notice not one thing is going back to my community. This year, after the past 23 years of selfishness, I decided to find ways I could give back. I don't make a lot of money, and simply sending a check doesn't really relieve me of my first-world country guilt. So, this year I plan on being more proactive and really understand the meaning of the holidays.

Google search really saves my butt with this. I found these two events happening in Hauppauge and I thought I share my finds: ‎"You are never so tall as when you stoop to help a child" the first annual Turkey Trot on November 24. That's right, before you stuff your face with some delicious turkey and stuffing, head over to Hauppauge High School for a few laps around the track. It's only $10 to register and all proceeds go to Angela's House, a non-profit organization assists families caring for children with special health care needs that are medically fragile, chronically ill or living with a life threatening illness. Ya, you're paying to work out but you don't have to run.

For the individual with a bit more spending cash or, if you're super lazy. Pace, Love, & Joy (yes, I stole it for my blog title - it's catchy) is hosted by Pace's Caterers and in support of (once again) Angela's House. Hey, it's a great local organization. The ticket prices are a bit up there, $70 a pop, but you get cocktails and treats with proceeds going to Angela's House. 

So, whether you decide to skip a few laps or have a few drinks, there are always ways to give back this holiday season. When you're sitting at a table with your family, giving thanks, take a moment to realize that not everyone is nearly as fortune as you are. I know, it takes the joy out of munching down on some pie, but trust me, your ice cold soul is salvageable.