December 18, 2000
We always talk about the Holidays as a time to draw loved ones close, and to think about and remember the people and things that we love. It's right about now that most of us get so caught in the whirl of parties and entertaining and buying gifts that we lose sight of anything good--except the promise that it will all be over soon.

I'm pointing this issue at some things to be mindful of, before the holidays slip away. This is a great time of year to give to worthy causes, and they know it. Why else are there suddenly collections and prominent ad campaigns? The winter months are especially hard on the needy. I'm including a guide of sorts that will help you get in touch with the charities you care about. Choose carefully, but please choose. Even a little bit of money can help make the difference for some groups in need.

In case you forgot to get a little something for yourself this year, I'll point you to some good, little splurges that will make you feel great.

If you have any great sites to recommend or comments on what you would like to see in this newsletter, please feel free to contact me at Betsy@herreality.com

Betsy Boyd
Editor, Her reality.com

Take a class...
I know, I mentioned this recently as a great way to connect with your friends. It's also a great way to connect with yourself. I'm always talking about how we should never stop learning--but I'm not necessarily talking about classes for credit. I'm talking about a cooking class. Or an exercise or dance class. Or music lessons. Invest in yourself and your well-being this year, and set aside the time each week to expand your horizons.

The benefits of getting out to any kind of class are huge: you'll get to meet new people, you might learn something that can help you advance your career, you'll get a sense of accomplishment as you learn new things, and if you take a class that accesses your talents, you'll feel like you're a more well-rounded person.

Get over the idea that you can't sing, can't draw, can't dance, whatever. You're an adult, and you can take it upon yourself to make those changes in your life.

Buy Yourself Something Great...
If your new hobby is cooking, maybe it's a good time to pick up a really excellent knife, or a cutting board that will fit over your sink, or some workout wear that makes you feel more like you mean business when you go to your kickboxing class. Maybe it's something you've always wanted, like a painting by your favorite artist, or a professional portrait taken with your mom.

Volunteer Your Time...
You may feel like you barely have enough time for yourself as it is, without giving another hour or two of your week to someone else. The secret is that giving your time is really SELFISH because it makes you feel like you're a good person. And who doesn't need a little more of that? You may have time you don't think you have. Lots of organizations need clerical help, which you may be able to do remotely from your desk on your lunch hour. (Make sure you check with your boss before you do this.) Putting good energy back into the world can do a lot to replace what daily life takes out of you.

One of the things that keeps people from donating their time and money to worthy causes is a sense of being overwhelmed by need, and by choice. There are so many in need, and so many good "causes," that it can be hard to determine where your money is best invested.

It will make the process easier if you sit down and do some thinking beforehand. What are some social issues you feel strongly about? What organizations has your family had positive contact with? My family gives to the Heifer Project International partly because we know good things about it from when my Aunt worked there. If you had a family member die of a particular illness, for example, you might want to donate to an organization dedicated to wiping that illness out.

I'm going to step up and editorialize for a moment and push one non-profit in particular. Dress For Success is one organization that welcomes your donation of gently used women's business clothes. Its main mission is ensuring that women who have need can dress appropriately for the job interviews, and the jobs, that will help them change their lives. If you like, you can make financial donations on a national level. If you live in one of the 60 U.S. cities where Dress for Success has a presence, or London or Auckland or Vancouver, you can also donate your time or clothing. Check out their site, dressforsuccess.org for more information.

The 'Net offers a whole lot of other ways to find charities that match your beliefs. Whether you're looking to donate goods, or your time, or your money, you can get information about the services thousands of charities provide, as well as a sense of what's out there. Here are several sites to check out.

giveonline.org

volunteerwatch.org

servenet.org