ETHICAL GIFT GUIDES AND MORE
Ethical Gift Guides, Organizations I Support, and The Centering Prayer Summit 2023, as well as December Discounts on many of my favorite experiences.
Oh, hey there, friend!
I’m about to ask you the most dreaded December question…
Have you finished your holiday shopping? ( enter maniacal laughter…)
Maybe you’re just beginning to think about it.
Or are you like my grandmother who used to shop all year long and “hide” her purchases under the bed and then in December pull them all out to see the bounty of all she’d collected?
Perhaps you make your own gifts?
Or maybe you forgo gifts and focus on experiences or giving to charities?
Well, unless you are one of those rare creatures who has it all wrapped up - I’m sharing three of my favorite gift guides with you.
GIFT-GUIDES
Sarah Bessy’s Christmas Gift Guide To Empower from last year ( and still good!) focuses on shops that empower others, lift up the oppressed, embrace ethical and equitable business practices, inspire change, cooperate with the marginalized, or turn poverty into prosperity in some way.
My friend Jaya McSharma puts together a wonderful list called 12 Days of McChristmas which highlights mostly women-led small businesses and is loaded with giveaways. YOU WILL FIND A 10% OFF DISCOUNT CODE for all of my programs inside as well as for 24 other small businesses!
Here is a great collection of Charities that help children at Christmas time via The Spruce.com
ORGANIZATIONS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER
Perhaps you prefer to make a contribution to an organization as a gift. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the organizations I value, but these are a few I support, some of which might be new to you.
Give to O.U.R: “Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) has made a significant impact in the fight to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation by assisting in rescuing and supporting thousands of survivors in 30 countries and 50 U.S. states. “ When I first heard Tim Ballard speak a few years ago, I made a monthly commitment immediately.
THE CENTER FOR ACTION AND CONTEMPLATION (CAC): “Franciscan Richard Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in 1987 because he saw a deep need for the integration of both action and contemplation—the two are inseparable. As Father Richard likes to say, the most important word in our Center’s name is neither Action nor Contemplation, but the word and.” As many of you know, I am a current student of the CAC’s The Living School
WATER.ORG: Changing lives around the world with safe water and sanitation. Water is life, friends.
BE A HERO Fund: Ady Barkan is an organizer and campaigner with ALS. My daughter worked for him as his aide. Over his career, Ady has specialized in bringing policymakers face to face with the people whose lives their decisions shape. His story is told in the documentary Not Going Quietly.
World Central Kitchen is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. They build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions.
CENTERING PRAYER SUMMIT 2023
Open to your True Self and the Divine Presence within. Join this Summit to learn from Centering Prayer Teachers and to practice with a global community. I am thrilled to announce that the Keynote Speaker is one of my teachers: Cynthia Bourgeault! I am honored to have been asked to be an affiliate for the Summit. READ MORE HERE.
**Gift Registration:** When you register between December 6-10, your registration includes a gift registration to a family or friend! Use my affiliate link here to learn more and to register. What a beautiful way to support yourself and someone you love to begin 2023 contemplatively with these incredible wisdom teachers.
Do you have an aspiring writer in your life or someone who wants to better understand and discover the gifts of their own personal story? Consider gifting one of my offerings (squeezes eyes shut and smiles):
PROJECT 444 :
A 3-month online live program for women to write, heal, and share their stories. Weekly email support, live calls on Zoom, and a private platform to share and receive loving feedback and encouragement from others. Visit my website to learn more about what the program offers and check this blog to learn what the women in the Class of 2022 had to say about it: When Women Share Their Truths. We begin JAN 14, 2023. READ MORE HERE.
WRITE 444 :
A 4 -day writing challenge + digital course to support you ( or someone you love) to get started uncovering the gems of your healing story. A creative-spiritual approach to your writing. This is a bite-sized but power-packed mini-course immediately accessible via digital delivery is a great jumpstart to writing a personal narrative. READ MORE HERE.
For a 10% Discount Code on either of my programs, go here. December 2022 only.
No matter where you find yourself in your gift-giving plans, there is a lot of pressure that can come with this season, both via our culture and the high expectations we place upon ourselves. Gifting can be a joy and it can be a stressor, we get to choose. And just in case you need a reminder of the obvious, your presence and your loving attention are truly your greatest gifts to those you love.
A portion of December’s paid subscriptions goes to The Murphy Center For Hope. It is both a container and direct provider of services, partnering with dozens of agencies so that people who face homelessness are welcomed, safe, and supported in Northern Colorado.
See you next week, friends!
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Ready to write with us this winter through my 3-month program, Project 444? We begin Jan 14, 2023. No writing experience is required! Write, heal and share your story in a supportive and encouraging private community. More info? Click the button below.
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