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New Year resolutions...
MichelleIs your credit card still maxed out from the holidays? Has your bank account seen better days? Just because you wanted to show your loved ones how much you care about them does not mean that you have to get sucked into the whole materialistic aspect of the holiday season.
I'm not as stingy as I sound, but I find that spending quality time with friends and family more meaningful than showering them with the latest gadgets.
I enjoy meeting up for lunch or dinner with friends that I have not seen in a long time. It's more memorable to me to sit and chat for hours on end instead of exchanging gifts that we got for each other last minute. Remember, good conversation, laughter and good times are what matters the most. ¤ Michelle
Christine
Usually, around New Year's Eve, after all the turkey has settled and the presents sit unwrapped under the Christmas tree, I start my annual reflection of the past year, as well as aspirations for the next. One of the things that I include in my New Year's resolutions is to donate or help charities in any way that I can. Being charitable doesn't have to mean writing out cheques to various organizations - it can also include volunteering a couple of hours a week, participating in a fundraising event, or spreading the word about something that you believe in.
I've volunteered in the past for various organizations, but after high school, I haven't exactly been a great Samaritan. Still, there are some charities that I feel strongly about - and one of them is the Humane Society of Canada. I love animals, and any form of abuse, abandonment, or mistreatment of them is inhumane and appalling. The organization works on two levels - a small-scale initiative that promotes the adoption of neglected pets, most of which are bred in puppy mills under horrible conditions, and a large-scale initiative that is keen on helping the environment and preserving the natural habitat of wildlife animals. Their upcoming projects include trying to ban imported furs from wildlife that have been caught in leghold traps, promoting alternatives to animal testing in research, and educating the public about the cruelty that is inflicted upon whales and dolphins held in captivity.
The Humane Society needs help, and whether it's adopting a cute kitten or a lovable puppy, lending a hand, or buying some goodies at their online store, a little goes a long way. The Society also assists in reuniting owners with their lost pets by posting descriptions and pictures on their website of lost and found pets. For more information on their organization and ways that you can help, check out their website at www.humanesociety.com. ¤ C.Ho.