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One reason Weddings (and oftentimes the holiday season) fill our hearts is that we tend to focus more on noticing Joy... GOOD NEWS! -It's possible to extend that feeling! There are many uncertainties as we journey toward 2025: Let's find ways to cultivate Love & Peace wherever we may find ourselves.
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Continue Uplifting Others - Our community is known for its motivation and committment to building connections! Remember to keep adding new ways of outreach, even through the New Year, to fill your own heart with joy and active purposefulness. Volunteer opportunities abound! Your local LGBTQ+ community center, animal rescue organization, assisted living facility, Habitat for Humanity and many others are great starting points: indulge in brainstorming about your own interests or hobbies and then find a volunteer opportunity that best suits. Even if you don't have the time or inclination to participate in-person, remember there are always other ways to get involved: crocheting lap quilts, sending handwritten cards, assisting with fundraising or administrative tasks.
Mentoring, or providing your own talents, are other ideas. Organizations that support LGBTQ+ youth are certainly in need right now. Or, consider offering your services as an officiant or amateur floral designer for another LGBTQ+ couple in the wedding planning stages either for their full ceremony or their elopement.
Social Organizations - The local LGBTQ+ choir, sports team or hiking club are likely welcoming new members! Allowing yourself to express your own talents and passions feeds your sense of happiness. It's important to make this one a priority as much as possible!
Speak Up for Neighborhood Improvements - Finding ways to empower yourself through bettering the local area is a vibrant way not only to find fulfillment, but to make new friends. Is there a park in need of a clean-up day? Would you like to see bike lanes in the city? Reach out to local officials, or join advocacy groups. Even consider running for local office or interning with someone who already holds office - the ripple effects of your efforts are always worthwhile!
Create a FUN Community Event! Divisiveness in our nation doesn't have to be the way forward. Find ways to organize a 5K fun-run or neighborhood potluck or picnic, and base the theme on local history just to help interconnect people and create common ground. Amateur pet show or pet food donation event, or community bake-off, or book club..? Absolutely!
Random Acts of Kindness - We all know how nice it is to find that our order at the drive-thru has been paid in advance by the person ahead of us... Finding opportunities to pay-it-forward and to offer a helping hand are easy ways to sprinkle a little extra goodwill into your days.
Attend Local Workshops and Skill-Building Sessions - Community centers, libraries, and educational institutions often offer free or low-cost workshops on a range of topics. Attending these sessions not only helps you develop new skills but also provides an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals.
Meaningful Online Connections - Of course the internet offers incredible opportunities to find your tribe. It's not always easy to weed through the forums and groups that are not ideal, but be persistent and mindful: Engaging with people online can be so convenient, and a helpful lifeline in times of stress. It can also be a simple way to share Joy! Check out RainbowWeddingNetwork's lively wedding group and meet couples from around the country, and the world! https://www.facebook.com/groups/LGBTQWeddings
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Again, the months ahead hold a lot of unknowns. But by keeping ourselves focused on what's most important: sowing Peace, Trust, Fairness, Happiness, Kindness, Gratitude... we make our world a little less divisive and a little less stressful. By volunteering, attending events, supporting local causes, building relationships, and taking responsibility for your own sense of Optimism, you become part of something bigger than yourself. The sense of connection, purpose, and pride you choose to cultivate can transform your everyday life into one filled with Joy and Empowerment.
