New Year - Fresh Intentions

I don't really do New Year's Resolutions. When the new year comes I might have some intentions for my year, or some hopes, but I don't resolve things.

New dress. New socks. New Hair.

This year I hope to be more open to those around me and I intend to create new friendships. I hope to love and appreciate with all my heart, so that I may make the most of what little time I have on this planet as a human. I intend to live with freedom, expression, and a wild inner light to better uplift those around me simply by proximity. I intend to truly see the sun, the moon, the flowers, and the inner goodness of those I meet. I hope to hug more, receive more, and do more.

What are your hopes and intentions for the New Year?

Dashama's Hugging Challenge - (Video)

In light of the holiday season I want to remind you today that being generous doesn't have to cost money. Giving of your heart can be totally free - Give a Hug. Hell, give out a whole bunch of hugs. I know that some of you are "huggers" and some of you are not. I'm not one - like at all. However, I still give a full-hearted hug to anyone that is offering.

Check out this video of Dashama giving out free hugs to start off her Daily Hug Challenge. It makes me want to start a conscious practice of hugging people. Not for the challenge, just for doing. It's probably way healthier than being hug-averse.

The Challenge is to hug someone (anyone) every day for two weeks.

It doesn't have to be strangers, but that is certainly a good way to spread the love. The challenge began this week, and you can win a Spa & Wellness Gift Card for taking part.

For more information, including 5 Reasons Hugging is Healthy, visit the Spa Week Blog.

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Gifts That Won't Break - (Video)

I wanted to share this short video from Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and his wife Adrienne on gifts that won't break. The charitable kind that "will actually put the world back together again". It's a fun video instead of your standard PSA so give it a watch.

Being philanthropic for the holidays doesn't have to empty your bank account. I found gifts for as little as $10 at NRDCgreengifts.org, so start doing good with your gifting without adding more "shit that breaks" to the world.

Instead you could help save the last 340 beluga whales, save endangered grizzlies, fight against BPA in children's products, or support many more worthwhile causes.

Get More: Music News

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Love Yourself

Whether you do yoga or not you use your body every day. Even if you're a paraplegic - your body is working to support you all the time. Our bodies do so much for us nonstop. Our feet support us, our hips tolerate the torture of chairs, our stomachs turn food into usable bits, and our hearts work nonstop since shortly after conception. That is amazing. When is the last time you showed your body some appreciation?

We ask so much of our bodies - take some time today to give something back. Especially if you've been taking out some particularly harsh self-thoughts on it. Maybe indulge in something tasty, get a massage, take a long bath, go barefoot, do a restorative practice, take a nap, or just give yourself a hug.

You deserve it.