Dear Friends,

On Christmas Eve, while I was doing my morning prayer and meditation, I got the idea to hand out McDonald’s gift certificates to the homeless. It doesn’t seem like the time of year to dismiss our sameness and look the other way, or to postpone a plan to help.

I am beginning to really get the idea that the thing to do is what I can, right here and right now. And, of course, I want to act on that all year.

Sam is a ready partner (who wants to reach out to the homeless), and we decided to get enough certificates to send to friends. Maybe after handing them out to the homeless they encounter, they’ll buy more, maybe even enough to share with their own friends.

This is part of a fledgling effort to feed the homeless, but it is also part of the bigger effort to help people see the good in themselves. Regardless of the circumstances, we all fall down. And a hand—even a smile—from somebody whose opinion of us isn’t based solely on the fall can offer us hope of restoration.

We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can share the hope of love...and that opens the door for the peace and joy and abundance of love.

There is magic in taking one simple step, in faith that it leads to another and another. If there is something you want to do to make a difference, this is the time, this is the place. And what you can do is the first step.

In love,

Jan Denise
Columnist, Author, Speaker

PS: If you have fallen and are struggling to get up, please e-mail me for a helping hand or a hopeful smile.

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. — Mother Theresa