For many (myself included), the holidays can be overwhelming. The 12 months of the calendar never change, so why is it that December always sneaks up on me and I’m inevitably running around with various versions of tattered lists in a panic? If anyone hasn’t read Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris, I suggest you head straight to Maria’s Bookshop and pick up a copy. It is a collection of short holiday stories, including the seminal “Santa Land Diaries,” which somehow never fails to make me laugh.
The point being, amid being overwhelmed because of holidays, loss of loved ones, the economy or political events beyond our control, it is so important to find ways to take a pause, take a breath and reflect. It is easy to be overwhelmed about the scale of cascading events on a global level, but when you are contributing and volunteering for your community, the focus is redirected to a positive change where results are tangible and the health benefits are clearly substantiated by many studies.
All of us have opinions, but only some decide to make the move from armchair revolutionary to someone who shows up and participates in a positive way. Community involvement celebrates all of us and leaves a legacy for those to come. There is an old saying, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Study after study reveals a positive correlation between altruistic behavior and physical health, well-being, self-esteem and overall happiness.
What’s more, community involvement yields even greater returns, as those who volunteer their time feel like they have more of it, and those who donate to charity actually feel wealthier. In the spirit of today’s Christmas holiday, I present to you a dozen ways to get involved locally in your community:
Talk to your neighbors. Get to know those around you and be welcoming.Smile! Make eye contact with those passing by, smile and say hello.Make a new friend at the La Plata County Humane Society.Serve at the Manna Soup Kitchen or help stock our food banks and shelters.Focus on the positive and express gratitude.Share your skills. Many places like The Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters are seeking volunteers to help with activities and mentorships for kids.Shop locally! You’re supporting our local merchants in addition to providing revenue for essential city services as well as benefits we all enjoy, from snowplowing to recreational facilities.Engage in professional groups like Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and The La Plata County Economic Alliance.Serve on a nonprofit board.Visit the Senior Center and enjoy a lunch with folks that have many stories to share.Participate in organizations that reflect your passions like Trails 2000 or Seniors Outdoors.Show up. Meet with a school board member, city councilor, or your senator’s representatives locally and voice your concerns and ideas to help shape community decisions. I know from talking to so many of my fellow residents after the election that your concerns about our collective futures are heightened, no matter who you voted for. Perhaps consider taking the energy of those anxieties and pour yourself into the public sphere in a way you may have not wanted or needed to before.
As we move into the new year, see what resonates with you and add community participation to your resolution list.
Go to meetings, voice your opinions and volunteer for activities, nonprofits and functions. Take care of yourself by taking care of your community.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Christina Rinderle is the mayor of Durango, a position rotating among members of City Council. She was re-elected to City Council in 2013 and will serve as mayor until April 2017, when she will be succeeded by now-Mayor Pro Tem Dick White. Reach her at ChristinaRinderle@DurangoGov.org.
