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Health & Fitness

The TRUE meaning of Christmas!

"We're in such a hurry to save money, that we've forgotten how to spend it."

So it's that time of the year again! Christmas cheer is in the air, the trees are up, the lights are all strung and those awful Christmas sweaters have been pulled out of the closet. Just in case you weren't sure the Christmas season was here, just turn on your TV. Christmas advertisements are (and have been) EVERYWHERE!

Buy here! On sale now! Two days only! Open Thanksgiving Day! Free shipping! Blah blah blah. Yes, Corporate America at it's finest... greed. Why so greedy you ask? The answer is actually more simple than you think. The answer is 'you' and 'me'.

That's right! The more we buy, the more we are fed these advertisements over and over again. So much so, that through the years we've forgotten what matters most during this time of the year. It's NOT saving a $1 on something that was made in China and sold over here. It's NOT buying your loved ones accessories for their 2nd and 3rd iPads. I've been guilty of this one, 'Buy 2 get 1 FREE' as if I really needed 3 of them. You see, we're in such a hurry to save money, that we've forgotten how to spend it

My wife kept asking me what I wanted for Christmas and I all could think of were things that I would LIKE to have. Gift cards so I could buy a nice acoustic guitar. Maybe a Playstation 4 or an Xbox ONE. Those look cool! Our TV is getting older and they've come down in price SO much over the past 5 years. Maybe we'll get a newer, bigger TV! 

Soon after that I started thinking about those advertisements on TV and Cyber Monday! Oh yea, how could I forget Cyber Monday?! Did you read that sales were up 17.5% over last year. I'm not sure if that means we were 17.5% more greedy this year or 17.5% lazier because shopping from home in our underwear was much easier than getting dressed and shopping in the traditional fashion. #Murica! 

It was about this point that I started to reflect internally. You see, things haven't always been easy for me. Like many, my parents were divorced and there were some times where we weren't sure if we'd have Christmas. There were also times we weren't sure what we'd eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Thankfully, back then, there were people out there who hadn't forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. People like 'you' and 'me' that took a stand against the garbage that was being force fed down our throats from Corporate America. Instead, they were making a difference in their own communities... a difference that I haven't forgotten about or taken for granted.

There is nothing wrong with showering your loved ones with gifts. If you have kids, you should give them the Christmas they deserve. In fact, those will be some of their greatest childhood memories! That said, when you find yourself buying in excess I ask that you consider giving just a little bit this year.

I've discovered that our community has established 'Our Community Hunger Center' this past summer. They are still somewhat in their infancy but are already making an impact right here at home. In fact, they've even extended their outreach to neighboring counties such as: Cuyahoga, Portage, Geauga, and Lake.  

If you've got a little extra, or can save room for a little extra I ask you to consider this cause or one similar to it. You don't have to look around too far to see families that are struggling to make ends meet. I promise you, this will make a HUGE difference in someone's life. 

If you'd like to make a Paypal or Debit Card donation to 'Our Community Hunger Center' you may do so right on the homepage of the website (http://ochc-food.org/index.html) Look for the 'donate' button on the left pane. Additionally, non-parishable goods can be dropped off at the Twinsburg Library at the 'Drop off Center'.

This effort DOES NOT receive any government funding. Local governments (Police, Fire, Post Office) do NOT hold food drives for them. This is a grassroots effort being born and kept alive by people like 'you' and 'me'. 

If you know someone who is having a difficult time making ends meet this Holiday Season, please make them aware of this excellent outreach program! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- JW8


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