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Getting in the Holiday Spirit by Giving
December 2, 2019
By Kevin Tutty, LPC
If you have children, you know how easy it is to find Christmas centered around your kids. When I was single, I wondered why everyone became so busy this time of year. In a self-indulged world, marketing is designed to focus us on ourselves: It can be hard to focus on others. It wasn’t until I had a family that saw just how busy this time of year is!
The Holidays are also a time of year when depression rises. I heard a pastor once say if you don’t want to feel a certain way, do something to take your mind off of how you are feeling. One great way to do this is to look for opportunities to help someone in need. For example, if you feel isolated, volunteer at a church, food bank, or other entity that helps others. This time of year is an excellent time to volunteer, as there is a greater need for volunteers in the non-profits that serve the people in our community. It is also a great way for a family to engage in a fun activity together, while helping those in need.
I am convinced that once “the volunteer bug” gets someone, they will not need a reason to help others, as they will want to find opportunities to do that. This happened to me on a mission trip once and I wanted to return to the mission field the next chance I had to go. We are blessed by giving to others.
When giving to those in need there is a distinction between two easily misinterpreted terms: sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is more self-focused: We get this feeling when we “feel” badly for someone in a difficult situation. On the other hand, we feel empathy when we are able to put ourselves in another’s place and see things from their perspective. When we empathize with another, our efforts are focused on the other person. The other person is validated because we are looking at things from their point of view, and understand their person’s situation or perspective. Volunteering is a great way to develop empathy, especially for those who are focused on their own wants and desires.
Back to volunteering though, be prepared to get some resistance initially when proposing the idea of volunteering, especially if your kids are not used to it. Once you go, try to make it as fun as possible, scheduling a fun activity the family can engage in together along with the volunteer effort. Then, process the volunteer effort over dinner and see what other types of volunteering would be of interest to them next.
There are a number of local agencies that would be good opportunities to volunteer. Here are just a few to get started:
Regional Food Bank (12 and older): 405-972-11111
EARC Thrift Store (Downtown Edmond): 405-285-7658
(South Edmond): 405-348-6502
Hope Center (Edmond): 405-348-4680
Local churches can connect you to volunteer opportunities
The City Rescue Mission in Downtown Oklahoma City (405-232-2709) offers groups a great opportunity to get a tour of the facility as well as serving the homeless.
The Christmas and Holiday Season is such a fun time, with many activities and opportunities to serve others. We are truly more blessed when we are serving others!
“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you from Transforming Life Counseling Center. May your Holidays and New Year be blessed!”
By Victoria Scoville, LCSW, IMH-E®
By Cindy Rose, M.A., LPC-C
By Caleb Scoville, LPC-S
by Michelle Garrett, MS, LMFT
TLCC often has the pleasure of offering training and CEUs to its staff members and extends these opportunities to those in the counseling community. During our last quarter, TLCC heard from a variety of treatment centers and professionals on mental health topics that expanded our team’s knowledge of resources to better serve our community. Stages of Recovery provided information regarding outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Oklahoma and Texas. Next Level Senior Advisors provided information about the work they do in helping senior adults and their families find the right fit for their loved ones in assisted living. Live Better at Home shared information about senior home care services they offer in the OKC metro area. Please see an overview of each, to determine if you, or someone you know, might benefit from their services and/or the information they provided. Stages of Recovery TLCC wants to thank Linda Morgan for coming to speak with TLCC therapists to tell us more about Stages of Recovery and the great work they do in OKC and Texas. Stages of Recovery is an outpatient dual-diagnosis drug and alcohol rehab, meaning they treat both addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Stages uses a comprehensive model combining psychiatric, behavioral and holistic therapies. For more information, please see the link above. Live Better At Home TLCC wants to thank Jeremy Allen CEO and Kelly Garrett from Live Better at Home for speaking with TLCC staff about the great work they do in the OKC metro area. LiveBetter at Home provides professional home care services tailored to support seniors and individuals needing assistance in the Greater Oklahoma City area. Our services are designed to enhance independence and quality of life while maintaining the comfort and familiarity of home. Our key offerings of personal care, respite care, and virtual care, provide assistance with daily activities such as meal preparation, medication reminders, personal hygiene, light housekeeping, transportation and companionship. For more information, please see the link above. Next Level Senior Advisors TLCC wants to thank Matt Wilson, CEO and Sara Cook, RN from Next Level Senior Advisors for taking the time to speak to TLCC therapists and provide information regarding the great work they do in multiple states. Next Level Senior Advisors is a dedicated Senior referral and placement agency, that specializes in helping families navigate the complexities and transition into Senior Living. They offer personalized consultations; access to a wide network of senior living facilities offering different levels of care, expert advice and guidance through this process, and ongoing support and advocacy. For more information, please see the link above. We want to say a big thank you and Happy Holidays to all our presenters!