Every New Year I create a list of goals for myself and determine what I want to focus on. I don’t know why that is, I guess the sense of a “New Beginning.”   When I really think about it…EVERY month, EVERY week, and even EVERY day is a new beginning.  In other words, it’s never too late to pursue something that you’re passionate about.  All I can say is it’s good thing I like to make lists! For me, writing my ideas down is helpful.

The past week I have been focusing on my goals for 2016 as well as reflecting on 2015!

My motto for 2015 was “Let’s do this!” and when I look back at everything I did and accomplished…it was an amazing year.   Of course, there were numerous events that were not planned, but the changes that occurred in my life due to these unplanned trials are mind blowing.  I said to myself this time last year: “Let’s do this,” and by golly I DID IT!

So where does that leave me for 2016? I love to have a motto for the year. My 2016 motto is “Follow Your Passion.”  Reflect on what you want to accomplish this year and follow your passion! I am someone that once I have a goal or idea in my mind, I run with it.  I want to achieve great things, believe I can, and therefore I WILL!  I hope you all feel the same way about yourself.  If you don’t take yourself seriously, who will?

I wanted to share one of my goals for 2016.

I have always been driven to help others and give back to the community. I don’t do it for a pat on the back, I volunteer because I love helping others!  It really makes me feel blessed to help someone else and it makes ME happy (sounds kind of selfish actually). I’ve always been told that I’ve never met a stranger.  I guess you could say I have the gift of gab,  but this “gift” of mine makes it so easy for me to converse with just about anyone.  You can’t pay for these kinds of conversations and interactions; they are priceless.  I am intrigued by people; their life experiences and the stories they share are fascinating. It is truly inspiring.  The past several years I’ve bounced around to several organizations and wanted to help everyone and everywhere.  Not that it was a bad idea, but it was a little chaotic keeping up with all my interests.  This year I am going to dedicate my time in one special place that really means a lot to me.  This will enable me to build a relationship with not only the organization, but the people that I will continue to see on a monthly basis.

Would you like to know where my primary focus for volunteering will be this year?

Drum roll please… The Hope Lodge!

My goal is to volunteer once a month at the Hope Lodge; this includes preparing meals and/or hosting a craft or bingo nights.

I am a volunteer for Relay for Life in St. Louis and we had a meeting at the American Cancer Society in October.   This is when I was introduced to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.  The Hope Lodge is a facility that provides FREE housing for cancer patients.  Our Relay for Life group was given a tour of the Hope Lodge and it melted my heart!  They have 45 rooms that have two twin beds, which are available for cancer patients that are receiving treatment in St. Louis and their caregivers.

When I learned about the Hope Lodge I was stunned. I couldn’t believe they offered FREE housing. What a wonderful asset for people undergoing treatment and truly a gem in St. Louis. I immediately wanted to volunteer and inquired about opportunities. I hosted my first craft night in December and we decorated Christmas trees. This month I hosted Bingo and it was SO MUCH FUN!  I have enjoyed the laughter and stories and cannot wait to continue my monthly events there.  Just a few hours once a month can make a huge difference!

Check out the link below for more information about the Hope Lodge:

Hope Lodge St. Louis

If you want to volunteer and are unsure where to begin, check out the Volunteer Match link below.  This site has so many volunteer opportunities.  All you have to do is select the areas that interest you and they will send you matches!

Volunteer Match

Think about what is important to YOU and “Follow Your Passion” in 2016.

 

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