Let's start a "thing" - 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Despite the fact that it is 11:36 pm, and this post won't likely be available to your twinkling eyes until "tomorrow", at this point, it is officially only 12 days until Christmas, which seems to have a festively appropriate ring to it.  There are many things pertaining to the 12 days of Christmas, including the incredibly catchy and choreographable holiday tune, to the TV specials featuring seasonal shows and movies.  This year, though, I'm going to encourage you to do something a little different with this notable countdown, and throw in some of my deliciously random Christmas photos too.

Maybe not quite that different... 

Let me first start by clarifying my meaning of "thing".  "Thing" in this case would be pertaining to a trend, specifically of the social media variety.  Comparable social media "things" include the Ice Bucket challenge, the "truth is" posts, and the one I am more or less channeling, the "thankful for list" that is popular around the Thanksgiving season.  Other "things" I have tried to start to no avail include windshield wipers for glasses made of paper clips and napkins, and a reverse french manicure, which I haven't completely written off yet.  Suffice it to say, I am having much higher hopes for this effort, and to do it well, I need your help my internet friends.

These are some of my non-internet friends.  Sometimes we dress up like
Ravenclaws at Christmastime and try to win the house cup.

So what is it?  It's an idea that has been on my mind a lot this month, and that idea is the notion of

giving to others.  Ever since I took a diversity class last semester for my graduate degree, I have had this unwavering sense of appreciation for the things I have and the opportunities I have been given.  While this is a philosophy I have always tried to adhere to, it was more apparent after we watched clips from various films and documentaries that there is a lot more that we- as individuals and groups- can do to make this world a better place.

Yay for Christmas trees!

Ok, that's great and all, but what do you have to do with my sappy and idealistic goals?  There really are only 12 (11.9) days left until the big day, and there are decorations to hang, gifts to buy, boxes to wrap, and places to travel.  I know that you probably don't have time for this, but just hear me out, ok?

WHAT IF we all posted from now until Christmas each day about something we did that day to help someone?  It could be as substantial as lending someone money, or as simple as holding the door open for a stranger and wishing them a Merry Christmas on their way out of the mall.  I'm not talking earth shattering Mother Teresa kinds of tasks here, people.  Just your standard run-of-the-mill good deeds that we all could use more of in our lives.

…like taking out the trash even if it's not your household chore!
Whilst posing like you're in the VS Fashion Show, of course.

I know some of you might be thinking, "Well why can't people just do good deeds every day?  Isn't posting and writing about it fostering a lack of humility and making us look like we're pompous or expecting praise for things we should be doing daily?"  While I can see where this critique is coming from, the fact of the matter is that this time of year sometimes brings out the cranky, greedy, and selfish parts of us.  Albeit in attempts to make the holidays special for our families, we often lose track of the things we could be doing to make others' lives easier instead of running the race with our horse blinders on, you get what I mean?  To quote a Michael Jackson song my students will be performing for their holiday concert "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change."  Besides, who cares if we all brag about our good deeds for 12 days!?  I, for one, think it would be great if people got pissy about what others were doing to help the community and thus tried to out-do them in their bidding for good.  What a fantastic problem that would be, eh?

Speaking of problems, there is a reason you can't see all of my vest in this photo.
That reason is the heinous nature of the decor on it.

Today I had the opportunity to sing Chirstmas carols with a group of friends at a nursing home and hospice, and while it was a lot of fun, it was also very emotional and put a lot of things into perspective for me.  The fact that we were singing joyful songs of the seasons to people who might not get the chance to have another Christmas really made me realize how lucky I am to be living the life I lead.  It also really energized me to want to continue giving back and helping others, and while that's something I should always be striving to do in my life, I thought "What if I made a conscious effort to go out of my way to do something kind for someone each day until Christmas?"  Sort of like my binge gym efforts, where I go once and get energized to go for, funnily enough, about 12 days until I feel like I've met my yearly quota.  Hopefully, though, this will be easier to maintain.

…unlike this elvish physique.  It takes hard work to get this body-
primarily large quantities of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.

So here is my 12 Days of Christmas Challenge for you, dear friends: each day, from now until Christmas (let's say December 26th, since we're likely all getting a late start here) post something you did that day that was an act of kindness toward someone else.  Preferably, something that you're not already doing every day.  The idea is to make a conscious effort to do something for others, and while making your kids breakfast every day certainly is a kind act, I think we can maybe dig deeper.

Let's start a "thing", people.  It just might make the world sparkle that much brighter. #12DaysOfChristmasChallenge