Do Good December – 2021

“Together we can change the world, just one act of kindness at a time”

~ Ron Hall

December’s  daily actions from ‘Action for Happiness Org’s’ calendars are all based on the key of Giving: Do things for others.

Who would have thought in January that as 2021 draws to a close, for many people, day after day has felt like Groundhog Day for most of the year, with the continuation of rapid change and uncertainty for so many people who may have experienced anxiety, isolation, challenges with financial situations, health or relationships.

For myself, personally and as a career development practitioner, I have been grateful for my understanding of the strength that developing and sustaining actionable hope (Hope Action Theory, & Planned Happenstance career theory) has had on my own mental health and wellbeing, and that of my clients.

Helping others is one way that you can ‘do good’ throughout this month. One of the actions I’ve listed below is ‘Support a charity, cause or campaign you really care about’. Here in Melbourne where I live, the continual lockdowns and the unenviable title of being the ‘world’s longest lockdown city’ has really taken its toll on so many people across all pillars of their lives. 

There are many families that have been severely impacted financially through the loss of employment, or at the least regular sustained employment. They are battling, which is why  one thing I can do is put together food hampers for Christmas and long shelf items to donate to local families who are struggling, to ease their burden at this time of the year and help them out into the new year.

I do not know who the recipients will be, as it doesn’t matter who they go to. I’m not doing this for thanks, but out of genuine concern the impact of these continual lockdowns has had on the lives of others. I will admit though, that whilst packing up the hampers (and trying to not trip over them), I have a ridiculous goofy smile on my face. Doing good for others, certainly tops up my happy endorphins.

I also have to give a huge shout out to the Australian Defence Force’s 2021 Defence Blood Challenge. With only 8 days left they need another 1,100 donations to reach 10,500 units of blood or plasma to break their record. So far since it started at the  beginning of September, the challenge has helped to save the lives of over 27,500 Australians. If they reach their target of 10,500 units donated, these donations will help save the lives of over 31,000 people! What an amazing achievement, and way to help others out.

Where ever you are, I hope that the actions from this month’s calendar, will help support your career management plans, selfcare and wellbeing throughout the coming month and beyond.

Perhaps this coming month you might;

* Contact someone you can’t be with to see how they are

* Support a charity, cause or campaign you really care about

* Get outside. Pick up litter or do something kind for nature

* Practice gratitude. List the kind things others have done for you.

* Let someone know how much you appreciate them and why.

* Plan some new acts of kindness to do in 2022

Related actions are:

* Action 2 – Do kind things for others

* Action 12 – Volunteer your time, energy and skills

* Action 14 – Help out a friend in need

* Action 15 – Make something happen for a good cause

You can get further information on related actions from the website link below

Calendars are available in PDF & jpeg format in the following languages (what a great way to brush up or learn new language skills)

* Albanian
* Arabic
* Bengali
* Bulgarian
* Catalan
* Chinese
* Croatian
* Czech
* Danish
* Dutch
* Estonian
* Euskera
* Farsi
* Finnish
* French
* German
* Greek
* Hebrew
* Hindi
* Hungarian
* Icelandic
* Indonesian
* Italian
* Japanese
* Korean
* Kyrgyz
* Latvian
* Lithuanian
* Mongolian
* Nepali
* Polish
* Portuguese
* Romanian
* Russian
* Serbian
* Slovenian
* Spanish
* Swedish
* Turkish
* Ukrainian
* Urdu