Less of Me Month at NanaHood
If you are a regular NanaHood reader (and I hope you are), you will know that we had a guest post by Rachel Paxton yesterday about World Vision and their work. Last year I wrote about an organization called Compassion, through which we sponsor a child in Guatamala. (https://nanahood.com/compassion-at-christmas) So many of you have posted and written to me privately about the wonderful ways you reach out to others that I’ve decided to make January “Less of Me” month. I want to feature stories about ways we can focus more on others and less on ourselves.
The title of the post and the idea stem from a song by Glenn Campbell? In case you have forgotten the words here they are.
Less of Me
Words and music by Glen Campbell,
© Beechwood Music/BMI
Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me, let me praise a little more.
Let me be when I am weary, just a little but more cherry,
Think a little more of others and a little less of me.
Let me be a little braver when temptation bids me waver,
Let me try a little harder to be all that I should be.
Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker,
Let me be more of my neighbor and a little less of me.
Let me be when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery,
Let me serve a little better those that I am striving for,
Let me be a little meeker with the brother who is weaker,
Think a little more of others and a little less of me.
Let me be when I am weary, just a little bit more cheery,
Think a little more of others and a little less of me.
Every year I make New Years Resolutions and those are great, but it takes action to make resolutions meaningful. So here is my challenge to myself (and hopefully to you)- I’m going to be thinking about ways I can focus on the needs of others and look around me for stories that inspire me to take action. I need you to tell me what you do (how do you personally reach out to others) and who inspires you! Maybe it’s a family project that you work on with your children. Or maybe there is someone in your community that you know who volunteers weekly at the food pantry or takes the elderly to the doctor? How do you get your mind focused on others? Your stories will be included in the posts at NanaHood this month
We Need Your Help Getting the Word Out
If you have your own blog or you are on Facebook please take just a moment and tell your friends and family about Less of Me Month at NanaHood. Link to this post or invite them to share their story. The more folks who participate, the better this project will be!
I want to kick off Less of Me Month by sharing a story I heard on NPR this morning on my personal quest to spend more time thinking of others in 2010. I contacted the author of this essay this morning and received his permission to share it with you. His story encouraged me, I hope it encourages you too.
The link is an audio clip from NPR: Less of Me, Ben Mattlin’s Story
You can read more about Ben on his personal website: http://benmattlin.com/
