Healthful Bites

What is Tweetsgiving, you ask? It’s a web-based celebration around Thanksgiving that encourages bloggers, Twitter posters and other Internet users to share what they are thankful for. Showing gratitude is something that I treasure, yet never really get around to doing often enough (similar to down time for some, exercise for others…), so there is no better time than now. Thanks for the kick in the right direction Epic Change!

Epic Change is a non-profit dedicated to sharing stories of changemakers, increasing their visibility and raising funds to cover their hope-building and micro-finance projects.

Another brilliant aspect of Tweetsgiving: Epic Change has asked that if readers, bloggers or tweeters have enough to share and feel so moved, they donate in honor of all of their blessings. The best part: all of the money raised will be used to build and improve schools in Africa. In fact, last year, the donations went to create a classroom in Arusha, Tanzania—a town that I was lucky enough to visit a couple of years ago when my sister was in the country doing medical volunteer work.

While in Tanzania, my Mom, sister, uncle and I were able to spend some time at an orphanage which was also where the child residents were educated. Their classroom was basically a small stone room filled with wooden chairs and desks connected to the open space for a play area (this was not the classroom involved in the Epic Change project, just a classroom we visited). No books, no pencils, no chalkboard and dirt floors. The comparison between even the most disadvantaged American schools and that particular African school was astounding. I know that some schools in Tanzania are probably fantastic, but trying to educate even just a few students in an area like that would be nearly impossible. And education is crucial to the well-being, prosperity and health of pretty much everyone.

It’s almost overwhelming to consider the impact one person can have in a situation such as this, but when several (or several thousands of) people get together, like with Epic Change, the impact can be, well, epic!

The children were so bright, friendly and fun. It was one of the trip highlights for me to share some Hershey’s kisses and play time with them. Even though we had quite a language barrier, we were able to connect, share some laughs and I was able to build great memories. Playing with the kids made me regret the worries in my life, because my problems seemed so inconsequential compared to the difficulties that they are up against.

(Image from To the Wire)

Finally getting to the point here :) This year has brought so much to be thankful for.

I am so blessed…

• To have my good health and a body that accomplishes so many amazing things
• To share my life with a supportive, kind, generous family
• To never have to worry about where my next meal will come from, or where I will sleep the next night
• To be building new friendships and support systems (including with many of you!)
• To have so many “small things” that add up to big joy: a warm shower after a good workout, a cozy bed on a rainy night, etc.
• To be able to find work and be able to work at some amazing places. Dreams do come true!
• To receive an education and be able to learn new things every day

I’m making a small, college kid-sized donation to the Tweetsgiving fund. Will you join me and share what you are thankful for in the comments?

Have a happy, healthy and grateful thanksgiving all!

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“This post was created as part of a global groundswell of gratitude called TweetsGiving. The celebration, created by US nonprofit Epic Change, is an experiment in social innovation that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude. I hope you’ll visit the TweetsGiving site to learn more, and to bring your grateful heart to the party by sharing your gratitude, and giving in honor of that for which you’re most thankful.”