Beyond The Holiday Spirit

Each year from mid-November through January, stories of kindness pour forth, as people take time to see how they may help another in need during what is supposed to be the festive season. These acts of often simple yet life-changing generosity are unforgettable for those involved, and they never fail to impact others who hear of them, inspiring and warming our hearts.

Sadly, the occurrence of such acts diminishes as soon as the holiday decor is tucked away for another year.

Please read the two stories below, two more examples of Wishadoo In Action. They are perfect examples of the direct connections and compassion, of the giving and receiving to take place via the bridge, the gateway that is Wishadoo. As you read, see how a simple act can change lives...how one simple act can multiply to become a movement.

The essence of the holiday spirit lives on at Wishadoo 365 days a year. It has been called "the Craigslist of Compassion." Wishadoo is the one place to reach out and help another when Season of Goodwill has dissipated, when the credit card statements from December have arrived, when the heating bills are at their peak, when the filing of taxes looms.

Connecting with one another -- giving, receiving, and paying it forward, with gratitude and grace...no expectation -- is what Wishadoo is all about. Please contact us to get on our mailing list to be one of the first to know when Wishadoo officially launches, and feel free to join the Wishadoo Community.

Wishing you and yours a joyous, compassionate and rewarding new year.

* * * * *

Elf Louise

Inspiration struck about five days before Christmas 1969, when Locker, on break from her junior year at Trinity, watched an episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in which the host did a segment reading kids' letters to Santa.

"It came to me in a flash. This is how I could give my dolls away," Locker, 59, said. "I thought, 'What if I could find a little girl who maybe never had a doll?' I just knew I'd find some little girl.

"There was no plan — it seemed whimsical at the time, but looking back on it, it was powerful."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/holidays/36551219.html


A Full Holiday Table

An impromptu open invitation to Thanksgiving dinner yielded dozens of replies. "... People laid off work. People with no family. People ashamed to bring their children to a charity Thanksgiving dinner at a soup kitchen."

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_11079316

The Dance of Gratitude

“Let's be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom.” -Marcel Proust


We have been in search of "good news" stories to share here, and in the process stumbled upon this delightful video to share. We hope it brightens your day.

"So many people in the world today are too focused on what's missing in their lives," observe the two young men from Victoria, Canada, who introduce--and helped produce--this video. "And when you focus on what's missing, you miss the many amazing things that are already there." Their solution? Some shimmying with a twist. Check out the Gratitude Dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NeMC1Fl3J0

Here is what we ask of you today: Think of what you're grateful for, in this very moment. There is always something to be grateful for, no matter how seemingly trivial it may appear in the scheme of things.

Hold on to that feeling...the feeling inspired by what, or who, you are grateful for. Then do the Gratitude Dance.

If you can't move your legs, dance with your arms. If you can't move your torso, dance with your mouth and eyes. If you are physically unable to dance with your body, then dance with your heart….that's where the root of gratitude resides.

When one is aware of gratitude, they can then open to kindness…to give and receive. That is the next step, and the next message here at Wishadoo.

And remember: “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” –Buddha

Another Example of Wishadoo In Action

As we continue to work on creating the "big" website, we want to share another story of Wishadoo In Action.

Brendon Foster is only 11 years old, but his time to die has come. No more chemo, just comfort medications. In these last days of his life, while returning from a clinic appointment, he saw a "tent city" of homeless, and he wanted to make a difference.

What a beautiful soul, what a beautiful gesture. One human being to another...one step at a time.

Please watch Brendon and see the difference this child is making in the lives of others.


http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2008/11/09/jaffey.wa.last.wish.komo