For most, January 1st marks the start of our best intentions. Why do we wait until the New Year begins to challenge ourselves to be better? If we don't make these changes a priority now, will they actually remain priorities for ourselves later?
Luckily for us, our inspiration comes year-round from the amazing people who aim to be better and do better every day! They serve as a constant reminder that supporting your favourite cause can be as simple as selling your favourite cookies, that helping the environment can be as easy as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and that helping others can be instantly gratifying and rewarding.
Let these people be your inspiration, too!
Like the fourth graders at Bartle School in Highland Park, New Jersey, who - after learning about the global water & sanitation crisis - organized a "World of Water" one-day awareness event to share what they had learned with other students and parents. A survey completed before and after the event showed the event was a complete success - students walked away with a greater knowledge of the issue! They also organized a school-wide fundraiser, engaging classmates, family members & their local commuities!
"As a result of their hard work and dedication, students successfully increased awareness about the worldwide water and sanitation crisis and exceeded the fundraising goal they had set! Thanks to Ryan's inspirational story, students learned first-hand how one person really can make a difference in the lives of others." - Bartle School Fourth Grade Teacher
Or, Emily, a Grade 3 student at Jockvale Public School in Ottawa, Ontario, who has been working hard for months organizing a number of activities to raise funds for Ryan's Well. In October 2011, Emily donated one her own beautiful paintings to an art auction held to raise funds in support of her ambitious efforts to help fund a well.
Or Jeni, an eight-year-old who organized her own cookie and fruit sale after reading the book Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa that Brought Them Together. As her mom said, "Her father is from a village in Burkina Faso and she knows of the conditions people in many places in Africa have to endure, so this is a cause that means a lot to her."
Resolutions are only good as good as our intentions to see them through. But, as you can see, change can happen any day of the year!