Good will hunting

This week, this one's FOR YOU ...

12/28/15 

Is it crazy or really crazy that my ‘visions of sugar plums’ are in the form of Ben and Matt when I think of good will? Must be the magic of Christmas.

I’ve had a transition year of sorts and would sum it up as 365 days of hunting for the goodness in both others and myself. Just like the world that we live in, good will can be found in many sizes, shapes and colors. For starters - thanks to my girlfriend - I’ve discovered the absolute benevolence in shopping at Goodwill. Coined The Will, I enjoy the complete experience - the hunting, the finding and the trash to treasure metaphors. I especially like its full-circle concept from donated inventory to items purchased for reuse, a perfect give-to-get storm. The result is the birth of commerce, job creation, and an opportunity for deserving individuals to work and earn with purpose. At a recent “little black dress” museum opening, I wore a classic midnight blue Ann Taylor cocktail shift, a purchase from my neighborhood Goodwill. The boutique magazine Sophisticated Living covered the fundraiser and published my $5 find in their party pics. Not saying that snapshots in a glossy pub can bring on world peace, but I am saying that if you have the will … there’s always a way. 

Somehow we’ve come to live in a time when it can be unnecessarily exhausting to voice an opinion or to simply be yourself without consideration. So this holiday when I unexpectedly found good will in my 11-year-old nephew, Seth, I knew that Santa was watching. The star player of both his travel baseball and basketball teams, Seth makes no bones about the fact that pink is his favorite color. He lives in a small town in Kentucky where the Confederate flag is no stranger and where every day at 6:45am he rides the bus to school with his Nike backpack in tow. It’s probably very similar to the backpacks of his fellow fifth graders – except for the fact that his is pink, of course. In my opinion, that’s a whole lot of good will. And that’s exactly why I love him.

Here’s to peace on earth, good will to all. This year and every year. 

What's in it FOR YOU? For better, for worse… 

·       Be that dog who always hunts

·       There’s a lot of give in a dress from The Will

·       Don’t underestimate the "will power" of 11 year olds

·       Pink is a color – a beautiful color – and nothing more

SHARE your favorite hunting story!

About the Author: White knuckled and never letting go of 49 ... the creator of For Better, For Worse, FOR YOU is most likely having a mid-life crisis and just wants someone to ask her what she wants for dinner. Yes, it's that simple. A single, working mom of an amazing 10 year old, she continues to wake up every morning and slumber every night forever thankful and awe-struck by her beautiful family, friends, and neighbors who - wrapped up as a collective love - allow her to breathe. Life is just this good.