We're only sixteen days into the new year, and a lot of people are suffering. There are fires in California, people in North Carolina are still hurting from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and there is animosity all around. It's hard to look at everything that's happening and think this year is going to get any better or be any better than last year. Maybe it will; maybe it won't. But here's one thing I do know. We can be better.

We can help by donating our time, money, and needed items to those who've lost their homes. We can offer to take in animals that need a shelter while their families get back on their feet. We can pray. We can provide lists of resources for people in need. We can offer a hot meal to first responders. And we can respect them.

While the world seems like it's crashing around us, we can still offer hope. Maybe there are a lot of things happening in your life that have you spinning. Maybe you think this entire planet needs an overhaul. You might think people are mean, petty, and filled with inhumanity, but that doesn't apply to all of us. There are still plenty of people in this world who want to make it a better place. And that can start with one positive change.

We're eight days away from another Christmas. Another time to celebrate with friends and family. Every year, as I gather with my family, I am reminded that there are people who are not celebrating. Whether they don't have homes or don't have the money, these people are struggling to do the best they can in a world that sometimes makes it too difficult to breathe. 

I've previously written that I've put together a resource book for low-income families that can help them with bills, food, healthcare, and more. But I know that isn't enough. Every year, I donate to at least one charity all year long. This year, it's been St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Next year, after doing some thorough research, I'll add a charity that supports the homeless and low-income.

I write this to encourage others to take a look at what they can to do to make the lives of others better. No, we don't know why someone is homeless, but should that matter? Yes, it's possible an addiction caused them to lose their home, but does that mean we shouldn't help them? 

It's easy for someone to say "they should get a job," or say their family and friends should be helping. But we don't know someone's story unless they tell us. So we shouldn't assume anyone who is struggling has made poor choices or have put themselves out on the street. In fact, instead of assuming anything, what harm is there in offering help? 

I understand being hesitant to hand a few dollars out of your car window to a person in need as there have been scary incidents. So a charity is a safe way to help. And my wish for Christmas this year is that more people would realize just how much even a dollar donated to charity could help make a better future for someone. 

We're in the season of Thanksgiving, and this year, it's been easy for me to count my blessings. They have been many, and I'm not speaking in terms of money, either. This year, like many other, I've had to make some difficult choices, and along the way, I always had my friends there. Even if they couldn't help me make the decisions I had to make, they were there to listen to me, to offer input, and to be there for me when or if there was fallout from my decisions. My friends are my biggest blessings because they are my family.

The blessings began early this year as I was gifted a cruise that was dedicated to Star Trek in February. I was able to go to the Caribbean and spend seven days aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise with Star Trek fans and celebrities.  

I was in at least two casts this year, and while that might shock some people that I count those as blessings, I was happy that I only had to endure casts and not surguries as I have many times before.

I've written so much this year, mostly for Red Shirts Always Die, which is the site dedicated to Star Trek, but I also finished a resource book for low-income families that will be coming out after the first of the year. 

My friend and I took a short trip so I could visit Buc-ees for the first time ever! What a store! It was a bit overwhelming, but I can see why everyone loves it. 

I"ve read more books this year than I have in a long time! There's a lot of great talent in this world! 

And that's where I'll stop for now even though there are so many more. What are your blessings? What are you the most thankful for in your life?