How To Be Like George Bailey To Create A Better World

“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” ~It’s a Wonderful Life

The magic of the holidays brings hope and warmth to the world. People are truly blessed if they are able to enjoy the beauty of the season .Yet right at this moment, around the world and here at home, there is terror and violence, intolerance and fear mongering.

Anyone who knows me knows me knows that one of my favorite movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s so “Capraesque.”

The first time I saw the movie was with my dad during an unusual sleepless night. In our large den we sat on our couch, switched off the lights and turned on The Late, Late Show. The magic began with the first scene as we watched George Bailey see how his life touched so many others, and how different Bedford Falls would have been without him.

His family and friends cared deeply about him, working tirelessly to help in his time of need. It was a perfect movie with a timeless message.

It was the Utopia of my dreams.

“You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.” ~It’s a Wonderful Life

The message of “It’s a Wonderful Life” still holds true today. We have many blessings in our lives despite illness, loss or financial woes. I said it before and I'll say it again:

“There is more right with you than wrong.” ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

This time of year is the perfect time to count our blessings. Write them down. Say them out loud. Consider what the world would have been like without you.

I'll go first: I'm an “oops” baby (sorry Mom and Dad for the big reveal but thanks for the oops) so my parents would not have had a daughter. My son would never have been born. My cats may not have been rescued. People with MS would not have had me as their advocate. You would not be reading An Empowered Spirit.

What are your blessings?

Mine are hugging my husband, chatting with my son, spending time with my extended family, socializing with my girlfriends, taking short walks, doing gentle yoga, using my voice through my writing, playing with my cats, smelling my peonies, reveling in the changes of seasons, listening to good music, enjoying art, theater and movies. Phew!

"Remember, George: No man is a failure who has friends.” ~”It’s a Wonderful Life”

But there is still a lot of heartache in the world. What can we do about it?

When I attended Hebrew School I learned from classic rabbinic literature about “tikkun olam” (world repair), “tzedakah” (charitable giving) and gemilut hasadim (acts of kindness).

These three ideas -world repair, charitable giving and acts of kindness - remain important to me because giving to others is the noblest of all gestures. We have a social responsibility we all should assume; to care for those in need.

Save one life and you save the world.

This holiday season take time to be grateful for your blessings while giving the gift of time or money to those who need it most. You may or may not know them but they are out there and a part of our community – the world community.

Let’s reach out to them so, like George Bailey, we can all be the “richest men in town.”

Happy Holidays. May you have peace, joy and good health always.

What are you grateful for? Leave a comment because I'd really love to know.

A few charities to consider over the holidays. All are top-rated via CharityWatch.org:

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
African Wildlife Foundation
PetSmart Charities
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Children's Defense Fund
Christopher Reeve Foundation
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Why I'm Thankful For My Diagnosis

The philosopher John Lennon (or whoever said it first) famously wrote, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." The life we imagine when we're young isn't always the one that we live. Our paths make sudden turns down unexpected byways, leaving us to survive unchartered territory.

March is MS Awareness Month, a time to remember over 2.3 million people worldwide who are living with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable and incurable disease. Strength, love, hope and courage - those are the words to be mindful of this month.

And, of course a cure.

As February drew to a close I couldn't decide what I'd write about to honor this important month-long event. I mean, what else could I write about MS that I haven't covered already? And what positive spin could I put on it, because that's how I choose to look at my life.

Then it dawned on me.

It's easy to GO ORANGE with Max!

Like Clarence the Angel granting George Bailey the ability to see what life would have been like if he'd never been born (you knew I'd think of a classic film reference, didn't you?) I wanted to write about how different my life would have been without my diagnosis.

Why I'm thankful for my MS diagnosis

I would never have known the joy and unconditional love of dating someone who proposed marriage to me despite my recent diagnosis.
I would never have felt the compassion and understanding of family and friends who loved me at my worst.
I would have missed out on knowing extraordinary nurses who went above and beyond anything they learned in nursing school.
I wouldn't know people in the MS community, and other health-related communities, who continue to inspire and educate me every day through their strength and courage.
I would not have had a reason to use my love of writing to inspire, educate, and make a difference to others about living a positive life after a devastating diagnosis.
I would not have had an opportunity to write for health-related websites and online publications that allow me to write about something I feel passionate about.
I wouldn't know the generous and caring women in my blogging community who accept me for who I am, warts and all.
I wouldn't have had an opportunity to quickly chant my elevator speech about ability and disability to people who've made an impact on the world. Alan and Arlene Alda, John Gray, Goldie Hawn, Mrs. Gene Kelly and Steve Wozniak, to name a few. I "name drop" because I respect and admire all of them for stepping beyond their creative work to make a difference in the lives of others.
I wouldn't have been able to teach my son, by example, that disability doesn't mean inability, and that tolerance, compassion and understanding always matters most.

I look forward to the day when I can finally say, "I used to have MS." That will be the greatest day of all. In the meantime I'll be mindful that despite my diagnosis I'm surrounded by many blessings. And, like George Bailey, I cannot be a failure because I certainly do have friends - near, far, virtual, professional and furry.

I am thankful for my diagnosis because it taught me self-compassion, survival, to remain curious and to always keep hope in my heart.

About MS Awareness Month

National MS Education and Awareness Month is an effort by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) and affiliated groups to raise the public's awareness of multiple sclerosis. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of this disease, and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare.

To inspire others to create a world free of MS, click here to share your thoughts on The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website.

Learn more about what MS is and find the latest research from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke page called Hope Through Research.