I’m gearing up for the holiday season and need to be reminded of the special meaning the holidays hold for me. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Not because I’m spoiled and will get a ton of presents but because of its true meaning. The Christmas feeling has since extended to the entire holidays – beginning on November 1st. The holidays hold a special place in my heart because it is during these times I feel the most overwhelmed with love and a need to be of service to others. So, to get me into the mood, I’m looking to Gandhi and his humanitarian heart to gear up. I know it’s not quite Halloween yet but I figure, why not? 10 days of Gandhisms starts now!

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

For as long as I could remember I wanted to serve people. Maybe not in the sense of most others. But, everyone person touches my heart and the only way I know how to help people is by giving back. Giving back with my time, my love, if I can afford it my money. Gandhi spent most of his life fighting for the independence of his country. He was raised for nonviolence and was the original Marley – love, peace, and happiness all around. He gave of himself selflessly and did all he could to change the world. While I may not be modeling my life after him, he is a good role model to have. A great humanitarian that sought change in the world, sought to make lives better, to provide love and support.

I’ve shared my dream of The Hummingbird House. My nonprofit is still in the works, however, The Hummingbird House will serve people who, like me, need someone to support them during a time in their lives that seems uncertain. THH seeks to love youth that feel otherwise unlovable. To provide support, shelter, love and understanding, that is what THH will be all about. THH will be the change we wish to see in the world – or at least in the area we can touch.

THH is willing to serve the community to make a change. The holidays signifies the excitement of change and helping people for me. The holidays is about proving to others that humanity still does exist. And that is what serving people is all about – humanity. To serve people you must be willing to be in the trenches, roll up your sleeves to get dirty, be willing to go all nine rounds to be able to be the change you want in the world. This holiday season I’m going to find a way to put faith back in humanity by being a change I want to see in the world. It starts with me. It starts with you.