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'Tis the Season for Giving Gifts that Keep on Giving
Most years, the season of giving and good will are long gone by the 3d day into the new year. We flock back to the daily double whether we labor inside or outside of the home. Within minutes, even nanoseconds, the positive effects of vacation seem to have dissipated into thin air. It's not just our imaginations—the afterglow of vacation is estimated to last a mere hour—and that's on a good Monday return—before our minds and bodies release the previous flood of stress hormones that surged through us before we beat feet for vacation. Is it any wonder that levels of depression soar in January? Here's the good news—this year we can keep on giving to those afflicted by the tsunami disaster including the heroes returning from rescue efforts with the victims (who are often afflicted with secondary traumatization from witnessing such terror). When you find yourself plunging to pre-vaca levels where stress makes us stupid or blue, turn on the juice to your computer and visit one of the sites cited by Tom and others that will offer you the chance of a lifetime—to give to those in need, a gift which, as we know, is better than anything we can wait around to get. 'Tis the season—what do you want to give to feel better?
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One of the redeeming things about this tragedy is that so many diverse charitable organizations are administering funds to tsunami victims (i.e. look at the number of different religious agencies ready to give $$$). The NYTimes has done an honest job in collecting donation information on a slew of all sorts of agencies accepting contributions to aid the people and places in SEAsia: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/international/28aidbox.html?ex=1105160400&en=1ab76b1b3a93ac8c&ei=5070
And, if that doesn't pull your Seasonal Affective Disorder-ed body from the stress and blues, stay online and order up one of those UV lamps!
Posted by Lee H. Igel at January 6, 2005 5:18 PM
I got back from my vacation mode and tried to contact friends in Chenni (madras), south india. It was quite horrifying not having information, but when I did get news (in this case was good) , It was like a burden lifted off the shoulders. I can well imgaine other peoples grief. ITs only when one reaches that zenith does when feel the intensity of emotions.. Never have I felt so much dispare and utter helplessness. What kept me going was a mini drive for clothes, medicine with my co-workers for the Srilankans....
Pam, I think THIS IS a year for giving...I think that TP.com should start a campign ..rather then valentinesgifts.. but a true gift of love to the unknown kids /survioirs in SEAsia. I don't know.. I'll be the first to chip in and buy lets say a valentine's ribbon (thru paypal or whatever mode ..) and the proceeds to be sent to some org.
That's my 2 cents thoughts before I go home ...and yes.. my roots are from India and I am trying to find thoughts and ways to keep a constant focus on giving....
Posted by /pd at January 6, 2005 6:43 PM
Yes, wouldn't it be nice if TP & Company spent a year (or a half year) on social issues globally, rather than ranting about poor service and such in the does-it-really matter consumer markets.
Posted by jd at January 6, 2005 10:52 PM
Pam, what a wonderful posting. On a dark,wet,windy Friday morning at the start of our busiest month (the UK tax return deadline is 31 January) I was feeling pretty low. So I followed your advice, made a donation and feel a whole lot better. Thanks.
I did, however, deviate slightly and made this donation to a famine relief charity in Africa. My previous donation did go to the Tsunami appeal.
Posted by Stuart Jones at January 7, 2005 9:08 AM
What a wonderful response to my first posting that injected a little anxiety in this still-somewhat techno-phobic blogger--thank you. Now I know why Tom believes in the power of the blog. You all have jumpstarted a proactive response and have also jumpstarted my Friday, fueling my energy for the philanthropic work to which I donate my energy, emotion and money.
For anyone still interested in finding a cause that touches their souls, there is an amazing and disturbing article posted online at womensenews.
Check out this site asap—it outlines specific problems women are encountering in tsunami-riddled countries--it is appalling and deserves attention.
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=2137
Then check this agency that addresses women’s issues—I haven’t investigated its credibility and will want your opinions:
MADRE: An international women's human rights organization:
http://www.madre.org/
Posted by Dr. Pam Brill at January 7, 2005 9:24 AM
The content of the womensnews article is, as Dr. Pam put it, disturbing and appalling. I wonder what could be done, short of donations (or banding together some sort of protective/security force), to reach out and remedy these situations. Truly sad stuff...
Posted by Lee H. Igel at January 7, 2005 11:59 AM
My wife mentioned a story in the UK press this week.
A woman survivor on holiday in Thailand was aware of the local women's needs and immediately purchased sufficient underwear/ sanitary protection for 300 women and distributed it herself.
At this distance it is difficult to know what we can do.
Posted by Stuart Jones at January 7, 2005 1:04 PM
Stuart, Stories like the one you passed on inspire me and I would imagine they inspire others to keep on keeping on and to consider creative as well as traditional ways to reach out and touch others' lives (and that is a great gift on a day when you are paying taxes...). Your story also provides guidance for those who express concern like myself and Lee re what we could do. Thank you, Lee, for following the link and then commenting on the story. With so much negative news in the news, it is easy to lose track of how kind the human spirit can be and how much impact we can have when we engage with the full force of heart and brain (both sides) with others. Thank you for that inspiration and for focusing on what we CAN DO.
Posted by Dr. Pam Brill at January 7, 2005 1:26 PM
Okay--all of your comments got me going! IMAGINE what we could do if we put all of these comments together. PD's idea - how could we get a movement together a la yellow bracelets style so we could pool resources to make an impact on a target group? What do you think? I would love to hear your ideas and get your friends and colleagues noodling on this too! Thank you for getting my solution-cap on, PD et al!
Posted by Dr. Pam Brill at January 7, 2005 1:30 PM
Some of us in the UK are sick of all the grief we get from others about our involvement in foreign countries. You guys in the States must feel it a hundred times more.
Watching the US forces help the victims MUST (surely?) change the view of the West which the rest of the world has of us.
My "two pennyworth" is that anything we do must include the WHOLE world for the simple reason that it will achieve more. I bought my Livestrong band from the LAF direct. Most people in the UK buy them from E-Bay. I dread to think how much money never reaches a charity.
Posted by Stuart Jones at January 7, 2005 1:40 PM
Dr.Pam: yeah... I'll route for a multicolured "a la yellow bracelets " style :)- I can convince a lot of my co-workers to actually contribute.. Like TP says .."do something, do anything..get going.. NOW " .. the ball's in your court now.. I just throw a thought flick'r.. let's make it happen.. I mean.....let's make a dent in the universe ...
..more thoughts on this are always welcome..
Posted by /pd at January 7, 2005 2:15 PM