I have been seeing over and over a television commercial for a “cheese product” that shows a mother going through a grocery store with a little boy who appears to be about eight years old. As he trails her and her grocery cart, she is talking nonstop on her cell phone. I know I’m supposed to be focusing on how the “cheese product” is still a good buy in this ever-worsening economy, but every time I watch this ad I wonder how a mother could miss the opportunity to connect with her child for 15 minutes while shopping.
Time is of the essence, isn’t it?
That’s why I’m bringing you another collection of gift ideas with that theme. Last week I shared a list of possibilities from experts who had been featured in Game Plan over the last year. Following are additional suggestions that are all last-minute friendly, a bit thought-provoking, and at different points on the budget spectrum.
Stacy London, stylist and host of TLC’s What Not To Wear, gets us started with the notion of giving an endangered species the gift of time. She suggests adopting an animal or a whole family of polar bears, pandas, etc. through the World Wildlife Fund for fees ranging from $25 to $250.
In the time-well-spent category, Gene Arnold, known as the vitamin guru to the stars and inventor of ImmuGo wellness shots, donates thousands of dollars worth of healthy food from his Malibu business, The Vitamin Barn, to a homeless shelter in Los Angeles. Business owners might want to pick up on that theme and see what they have to offer an organization in need -- and take the time to make it happen.
Michael Corriero, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York and a former New York Supreme Court Judge, thinks a meaningful gift would be to support a mentoring relationship between a New York City teen and his or her workplace mentor. This program is designed to expose urban youth to diverse workplace environments, encourage them to stay in school, pursue higher education and be inspired about their future careers. In essence, you’d be giving someone else the opportunity to invest their time in a teen. The cost to "Adopt a Match" is $750 for half a year. More information can be found on the BBBS Web site.
If your idea of quality time involves an athletic venue, Erica Boeke, author of GameFace, suggests giving tickets to an upcoming sporting event to a youngster in your life. It will give you some bonding time and, as Boeke points out, the chance to teach some of sport's great lessons to a young girl or boy in your life. Remember, that can range from a local college event to a minor league baseball game to a professional one, depending on your budget.
Laura Radensky, community liaison at Jewish Home Lifecare for the elderly, has witnessed firsthand what the gift of time does for that population.
“There is nothing more important to a human being, especially if they are elderly, homebound, or have lost most of their friends and family,” Radensky wrote. “Offering companionship on a regular basis is appreciated more than any gadget or clothing item. And the rewards of this gift are twofold. You feel great knowing that you brought joy and happiness to another person.
“One gift that can be of tremendous value is a monthly lunch date for someone who does not have the regular contact. Even a regularly scheduled phone call, as we have seen because some of our Jewish Home Lifecare volunteers do it, can be of great help. A bird feeder is also a wonderful on-going gift that can allow someone who remains at home to have further hours of pleasure. Some of our nursing home residents love to receive a packet of cards with get well or happy birthday messages with stamped and possibly pre-addressed envelopes, wrapped up with pretty ribbons.
“Finally,” Radensky wrote, “we have also participated in making recordings of stories by our clients and the results have been very heartwarming. Some of them have said that they spoke about memories from 30 or 40 years ago that were very precious to them but that they hadn't shared in that long. Others were sparked to talk to family about things they felt were important to pass down but had not thought to until someone approached them wanting to record them. One daughter tearfully spoke of how grateful her mother was before she died of cancer to be able to make some recordings and how pleased the daughter is now that she has these important memories of her mother. It is the type of thing that many of us say that we will do maybe one day, but presenting it as a gift with set dates and times for recording can make it happen.”
The overarching message here? Maybe it’s time to invest in time. As I watch the woman in the TV commercial and wish she would engage her little boy in conversation about his day at school, I think about my own life and where I could be more generous with my own time.
How about you?
Nancy Colasurdo is a practicing life coach and freelance writer. Her Web site is www.nancola.com. Please direct all questions/comments to FOXGamePlan@gmail.com.
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