Blue Gypsy Inc. Blog

There's just something about a new year that helps everyone reorganize themselves in business, in their personal lives...really in anything you can think of. Right now, in the world of social media, we get some insight into lots of goals being set by a myriad of people ranging the gambit of aspects of their lives.

One of the greatest things about this instant contact we have with family members, old friends, new acquaintances and total strangers is that we can see we are not alone in our goal setting.

There are so many communities out there to help you achieve your goals and they are all online. There are diet support groups, coaching groups, if you can think of it, there's probably an online community to help you with "it" whatever the "it" might be.

But there's something else that I like.

(Now this is the energy loving tree hugger that traveled around the world with a backpack and loved experiencing the life from the ground level.)

When I traveled I always felt so interconnected with the earth and with this amazing network of travelers who were on similar paths of discovery. There was just a kind of energy that come with opened minds experiencing amazing places and people. It's hard for me to explain, and some of you may or may not get it, but there is a positive energy that abounds in those kinds of life situations.

I truly believe that when we are around positive people with positive goals, our outlook will naturally be more positive. This energy seems amplified right now as I continually read tweets and status updates from people who are setting their goals to make positive changes in their lives.

I hope we can hold onto this energy into the new year and continue to empower each other with positive thought through social media.

I actually think that social media is one of the best ways to escape a negative vibe because you can always search out and join people who are doing positive things. Just a few positive highlights that I've been involved with or experienced this past year are as follows:

1) The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia creating their 1 in 4 campaign to raise awareness of just how many people go hungry in our area, and need the services of the Foodbank. This is a charity I always take time to donate money or canned goods to each year because I'm thankful that I'm not one out of the four that need help and am able to provide that help instead.

2) This year I participated in tweetsgiving an international event organized by the charity Epic Change to help build schools in Tanzania. This was a true social media extravaganza! Local meet ups and tweeting out gratitude during one of our most thankful holidays here in the USA thanksgiving, was such a great pairing with this event of giving and gratitude. I was lucky enough to be involved in organizing a local meet up event, and donating in honor of my father's 71st birthday.

3) Another great group I've joined on facebook is called People Wanting to Make a Difference in Others Lives. Long name I know, but locally, Mike Nishnick a realtor with a big heart, has put together a group on facebook for people doing positive things for others. This is a great way to share ideas, and uplift one another.

4) This year I surprised my boyfriend Chris with a Great White Shark I adopted for him through the Fox Shark Research Foundation. (no you don't literally get the shark...it would be too big for the bathtub) Both avid scuba divers, we have an affinity for all things underwater and he's enamored with sharks. I thought I was being creative with the perfect unique gift...until he handed me the adoption papers for a Whale Shark though the Shark Research Institute in Princeton, New Jersey! Great minds think alike. These are both amazing organizations working toward the research and protection of sharks in our world's oceans.

5) When Chris's Grandfather, who also happens to be a retired General, Celebrated his 90th birthday this past July we donated to the Wounded Warrior Project in his name. It's so important to remember our veterans, not only do they sacrifice quality time with their families but also their lives, in order to afford us our freedoms. Before knowing Chris, soon to be a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, who's family has a long history of serving our country, I was one of the millions in our country not effected directly by the war. I didn't know anyone close to me who was serving in the military and had no idea of the burden they and their families bear. So it felt good this year to fill out a couple of dozen holiday cards and send them to the "Holiday Mail For Heroes" program through the Red Cross. Every little thing makes a difference.

6) And of course my heart always gets caught up each year with the radiothon for Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, regionally the most comprehensive children's hospital in Southeastern Virginia. From common illnesses to life threatening deceases, they cover a wide range of necessary services for children. As you hear from cancer survivors and those going through treatment on the radiothon held by 94.9 the Point each December it's hard not to open up your wallet as you open up your heart.

This year I'm grateful for all the positive energy and people setting their goals, sharing their successes, and doing great things which will continue in 2010. Keep amplifying those positive thoughts and ideas through Social Media! See ya next year!