Thoughts on December!
Happy First of December!
If you’re like me, you’re wondering how 2013 has gone by so fast. And if you’re a teacher like me, chances are you will be busy during the 20 some days in school and not really enjoying the holiday season. Music teachers, you know what I’m talking about :-).
I’m making an effort this year to ready myself for a month-long celebration. I want to be awake and be present hearing the sounds and laughters from the children around me (especially my own), cry with those who are suffering, and living the moments with friends new and old during this month.
I have much to be thankful for!
Here are 3 ways that will help me to celebrate during December:
1. iTunes Radio – let it work for you.
If iTunes Radio is new to you, you should try it. Although I’m a Spotify user, I use the iTunes Radio in the car because Spotify radio is only for paid users (read about it here). I love the iTunes Radio because
- It’s free streaming music
- It plays very few commercials (and most of the commercials are music/music concert related)
- I can use it in the car
- And I can look at the history of what I listened to and find new favorites
You can start by listening to featured stations like Guest DJ – Kelly Clarkson who picked her Christmas favorites. It’s fun listening to celebrities’ playlists and commentaries. You can also start a station by clicking on the + sign (see image below). I’ve loved using the iTunes Radio since October (iOS 7 update) and found many stations that helped me to find new Holiday favorites. Can you tell how I’ve been looking for special holiday songs by looking at my stations? LOL!
iTunes Radio
The Radio also works like Pandora when you star a song you like – the station will play more songs like the one you starred. Enjoy the season with music!
2. I read an interesting blog post titled “Kindness Elves: An Alternative to Elf on the Shelf Tradition” this morning. I love this post because the blogger shares her pursuit of kindness and character-building activities to kids during the Christmas season. I share her sentiments about Elf on the Shelf being a bit creepy and about the whole behavior modification (or manipulation) through using Santa or Elf-watching. I’m all for wonderment and making magical moments for children. What I don’t like is that many things we do in our culture enable the children to play the entitlement games. So what struck a chord with me is that her variation on the Elf on the Shelf is about Kindness Elves “who love to help and notice kindness in others”. I emailed the post link to my colleagues at my school already and want to see the kindness in my students each day. So here we go! Let’s look for kindness and give help to those who need it!
3. Give a thought to giving. Anna, the Kindness Elves blogger, said that we give presents because we love those people not because they deserve to get them. I agree. Instead of buying random gift cards, wouldn’t it be great to find a meaningful gift? I know how hard it is to find a great gift, but I found one today. So here I want to share it!
I sure didn’t have to take 5 to fall in love with this amazing product ;-). I learned about Koostik from Kelly Tenkely (@ktenkely) who wrote a post about her dad’s craftsmanship here. I love that Koostik products are handcrafted in America with natural resources, aesthetically uber cool, and are highly functional. I think smaller models will be good for cars without Blue Tooth. I’m hoping to order one in the next day or two for my husband. I just have to make a decision for which device…(I hope he doesn’t read this post).
December 2nd update
The good folks at Koostik and I’ve been tweeting back and forth about some specs so here they are:
The Original is 8.5″ x 3.5″ x 2″ and is approx. 1 pound.
The Pivot is 7.25″ x 3.25″ x 2″ and is less than one pound.
They are super friendly and great with questions and follow-ups. Shhhhh – I ordered mine – you should, too!
So how will you spend your December? If you find meaningful gifts (the ones you make or find), please share them with me in the comments. Also share some good music you may find on the iTunes Radio. And please join me in celebrating the goodness of life with children.
May your December heart be filled with goodness, kindness, and music!
Cheers!
~@Doremigirl
Related articles
- How to Use iTunes Radio (gottabemobile.com)
- Spreading Holiday Cheer (And Kindness) (thekindnessproject.com)