Hope for the Holidays Drive; Day 2, Youth and Schools Pay it Forward Games, Mission 8

Cyclone Giving Trees Grow Friendship Roots for ICS OKC Babies and Toddlers

 Lower Division leading the second day!

 Primary Division steadily bringing donations!

 

 UD having a great start!

Reflect On Yesterday's Mission Before moving on to your eighth mission, take a moment to reflect on yesterday’s mission. What was the hardest part of talking to someone new? Some people make new friends quickly, others need time to get used to someone new. What do you like or dislike about meeting new people? What qualities do you look for in a new friend?

Your eighth mission, Agents, is to give yourself forgiveness. Think of a situation in your life recently in which you felt hurt and connected your hurt feelings to something someone else had done. You may have even blamed this other person for your hurt feelings, saying something like, "You made me mad!" Sometimes, even just remembering what happened can make you feel hurt all over again. In fact, did that happen to you now? Take time today to notice that the hurt feelings you experienced or are experiencing exist inside YOU. That's right, the feelings come from what you are thinking and remembering in the moments in which you have them, whether this is two months ago or even now. But here's the catch: you can learn to control your feelings, rather than having them control you. It just takes practice. To do this, first recognize what you are feeling, and maybe even give your feelings names like sadness or anger. It might help to talk to someone you trust about what you are feeling. Next, try to identify if you are blaming someone else for what you are feeling. If so, remember that you can control your feelings because they are yours. And you are probably having them because something didn't happen the way you think it should. Maybe a friend said something mean about you. That's not what any of us want to have happen! This is where forgiveness comes in. It's been shown that true forgiveness takes place when people let go of their hurt feelings and replace them with positive feelings. This doesn't mean forgetting what happened, no. It's about a decision you make to see the situation differently. Maybe your friend was having a hard day or wanted something you have. It's not that they really believe what they said about you. It was just the easiest way they knew to express their unhappiness. A really common response to feeling hurt is to want another person to feel hurt. That's called trying to get revenge and when we do it, we just make situations worse. Learning to focus instead on how to be happy and live a good life is the best way to let go of hurt feelings and practice forgiveness. Agents, remember... As you fulfill your mission, share your experiences on the Compassion Report Map! Your report inspires others, amplifying the power of your compassion and generosity! On December 10th, Human Rights Day, the Giving Games will culminate in a global “Wopida,” which is an Octei Sakowin Thanksgiving Ceremony. This Wopida will be led by Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Chief Phil, and Faith Spotted Eagle, and brings together Indigenous communities, youth, interfaith leaders, and intergenerational allies to honor the blessings of life, light the spirit of giving, and support water protectors at Sacred Sites such as Standing Rock in North Dakota and around the world. During the Giving Games, we will Pray With Standing Rock and “Build a Global Fire” that leads up to the Global Wopida. Build a Global Fire is a collective activity where Agents of Compassion and all allies... Light an honoring flame (such as a candle), then... Take a video (or photo) stating what you are grateful for, and sharing what your intentions are for the human family. Participants then share their creation on social media with the hashtag #GlobalFire on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or the Compassion Report Map! When: 11/29 through 12/10 Where: Everywhere, All At Once! Why: Solidarity to Protect Mother Earth! Each day during the Giving Games, the Compassion Torch will be passed to a different Champion of Compassion. For Day 8 of the Giving Games, we are so grateful to pass the Compassion Torch from the Earth Guardians to none other than Compassionate Louisville, a coalition of pioneers blazing the way as a model compassionate city. Read Our Featured Story About Compassionate Louisville Here! View All Passed Missions! It's never too late to revisit past or missed missions to find inspiration for igniting compassion and generosity for the world! Previously released Giving Games missions are available to be viewed here!