#ProjectBigSmile

Life is not meaningful...unless it is serving an end beoyond itself; 

unless it is of value to someone else. 

- Heschel

It's that time of the year, where we near Christmas and the holidays, and as we try zip through to the new year, we can easily forget those in need.  

I'm in the process of clearing out my art studio, which is filled with all sorts of things - old toys, stationary I never use, old clothes, blankets, bits of paper and note books... you know what I mean... we all have a draw, a cupboard or a basket that has things in it you haven't seen in a while.  

Often we clear out, and we find these things, and we just rearrange them back into a new ordered space, and back into the box we go.

Today, I want to inspire you to make a difference in someone's life. #ProjectBigSmile

Take time to clear out before the new year, and give the things you don't use to someone who needs it.  It may be a stranger, or you may want to bless a children's home or old age home.

I sent out a tweet this week giving away my desk.  Asking if anyone knew who needed one, and someone who could collect.  Within minutes @MegPascoe (on twitter) sent me a tweet with a children's home that needed items and their contact details.  The next day they came and collected.

A few weeks ago I read an update from a friend of mine @ElanTanur (also on twitter).

He had paid for someone's groceries at the shops, unexpectedly helping someone he could see was struggling.

The last time I went to Arts on main, there was a girl giving guitar lessons to street children, on the side of the road.  She had guitars, they were strumming along, off key no-doubt, but having so much fun, singing on the top of their lungs, enjoying every moment.

My boyfriends father, Mano Paxinos, started a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Pink4Cancer) last month - he collected money for Breast cancer awareness.  A disease that touches both women and men, and the people in their lives.  He put a pink streak in his hair, and people that asked him, what on earth that was about, he told them.  He made a significant donation to two charities, all the details on the page, and continues to make a real difference in people's lives, wherever he can.

This morning I saw that my friend Kyle King is off to the children's hospital, dressed as a mouse, to spend time with the children.

I hear stories like this often.  And the small difference it makes to us, makes a huge difference to someone else. 

So I invite you to find little ways that you can make a difference in someone's life, and don't let money be the thing that holds you back.  It could be simply spending time with someone who doesn't get visitors.  If you have a talent - art, music, an activity you love - go share it with someone who would enjoy doing those things, but don't have the opportunity to get out and do that. 

There are friends collecting Santa's shoeboxes for children, there are some friends making a soup kitchen or food packs for Christmas day.  There are others going to play the piano and do Christmas carols at old age homes.  When my Nana was still alive, I used to visit her in the retirement home, and drop off biscuits for the other old ladies, brush their hair, rub cream into their hands, and listen to their never ending stories.  Precious time, for both them and for me.

During the holiday period, it is known that people feel most alone.  While some of us are making plans with family and friends, making holiday plans and thinking of gifts to buy for those we love, take some time to remember that there are many that don't have the luxury of friends or family in their lives, that don't have the option to go away.  

So I'd like to remind you that you can make someone smile.  Big.  By doing something small.  What can you do to serve someone else, even in a small way, to make a big difference?

#ProjectBigSmile