The Champion Challenge

What's the Challenge?  Assume the role of spokesperson, championing for your favorite cause, for a self appointed # of texts, status updates, hours or days.

Who's Invited to Participate?   Everyone that has a cause close to their heart.

What's the Point?  To give a boost up to those who want to help but don't know where the need is great, what resources are required and/or how to access the proper people in order to participate in the cause.

How Else Can This Challenge Be Utilized?  This makes a great family project as well as a classroom/ scout troop activity.

Different approaches to this challenge could be:

*...that every person (regardless of age, skill level or financial status)  is capable of making a difference in someone's life.

*Highlighting the variety of projects people have undertaken all over the world.  Sending a donation is just a fraction of cause action in this age of info sharing.  'Giving' can range from shoe/clothing/food/toy collection, a lemonade stand (sound familiar?) myth-busting, petitioning (I recently signed a petition penned by an elementary student to Crayola to initiate a recycling program for their markers)....  Find the creative ways people are helping out there!   Everyone can act 'big' in simple ways.

*Emphasizing the range of causes (from eco-awareness, religious tolerance, literacy, animal welfare,  supporting the troops, keeping the arts in public schools, etc...) and finding one that hits home.

Some Helpful Tips Before You Get Started 

- If you are doing this challenge with kids, choosing local causes will further highlight their individual impact on their own community as well as the community's need for individual action.  Ex/ if you choose to promote animal welfare, learn what you can about the shelters in your area.

-When sharing information, put yourself in the shoes of someone who wants to act but is without direction on where, why and how.

      +website info (the url, the cause, and a brief description of what kind of help is  
         requested)

      +stories of your own interaction with a cause.  How you helped and volunteer  
         information on how others can participate.

-  If this is a role you assume on a daily basis already, share your most valuable
   information on how best to spread the word and rally enthusiasm for a cause.

-  For a bit more inspiration before getting started visit the post 'The Champion's Call' at www.crystalmwaring.blogspot.com

The '2013, I Survived 2012 So It's Time To Rock My World' Challenge

What's the Challenge?    Creating a calendar on which to remember the highlights of the month; pics of friends, surprisingly wonderful weather, when uncle Dean had to have the pinto beans surgically removed from his nasal cavity, moments of inspiration, the new Victoria's Secret catalog arrived, Yay, you're pregnant!, Yay, you're not pregnant!......whatever good this year throws your way is to be captured and immortalized on this calendar.  To see the post that further explains the creation of this challenge visit www.crystalmwaring.blogspot.com 

Who's Invited to Participate?  Anyone who needs 2013 to be better than '12

What's the Point?    As a reminder that we aren't so easily beaten as to not be able to stand back up and find joy.  Essentially this is a practice in recognizing what is good in order to not have to work so hard in recognizing it in the future.  (Don't worry, it's an easy habit to fall into I'm told)

How Else Can This Challenge Be Utilized?  Do you have a family member or friend who is not so easily convinced that there is that much good in their lives?  Keep a calendar for them where you can prove through moments of silliness, warmth and the embarrassment of others that smiles can pervade their frowns, too.

Tips to get you started:

*Any blank 2013 calendar will be suitable as your canvas.  If, however, you don't like the monthly picture of different PNC bank locations just cover the picture little by little with select pics found in junk mail, store flyers or magazines, or just glitter glue the hell out of it!!  Here's a chance to use what you have lying around.

*I recommend that you use this calendar where you usually have your responsible grown-up commitments calendar of bill deadlines and dr's appointments.  If this moving this calendar stresses you out, try placing this new calendar on an opposite wall in the same room and possibly working toward switching their locations.  It will make for a nice surprise in the morning when you keep looking at the wrong one :)

*Don't try to look hard to find moments that are 'calendar worthy' 'cause then you're missing the point!  Simple, out of your control moments of pleasure are everywhere. Capture them!

*Don't make this a chore but something that stays in the back of your mind wherever you are.  Take mental notes or capture pics on your phone during the day. Use this calendar as something you look forward to seeing.

*Feel free to post in the comments section of this blog your favorite 2013 moments so far or how you've personalized this challenge!