1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,320 Hello, my name is Leslie Kane and I am the host of the Why Not Today podcast. 2 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:11,920 This is a podcast to celebrate people who have been courageous and said, why not today? 3 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:17,080 I started this podcast in honor of my father, Patrick Kane, who often did say, why not today? 4 00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:22,480 I'm based in Reston, Virginia, a Planned community right outside of Washington, DC, and thanks 5 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:23,920 for joining us today. 6 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:27,720 So today marks our 20th episode of this podcast. 7 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:36,000 I came up with this crazy idea based on somebody sharing a post on social media back in September. 8 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,600 And I'd always thought about doing a podcast. 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:43,520 And a friend of mine, I told her the story about why not today, which just kind of stuck 10 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:44,720 with me. 11 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,600 And then we were talking about the podcast and she's like, well, that's the name of your 12 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,520 podcast and why not today? 13 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:56,240 So I started this on March 5th, 2021, which happened to be my father's birthday and the 14 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:57,240 day he passed away. 15 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:02,920 And as I said, I do this in honor of my father and to share his principles, ideas, but also 16 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,000 give people courage to say why not today. 17 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,520 So we've had 20 episodes, this is our 20th episode. 18 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:15,280 And so today I thought I'm just going to share from my heart and share as we approach the 19 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:20,000 holiday season, some ideas and thoughts I have about why not today. 20 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,080 So this is our 20th episode and I want to thank you for everybody that's listened, everybody 21 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:29,080 that's shared it, everybody that's commented, everybody's given me some suggestions. 22 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:30,800 I want to thank all my amazing guests. 23 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,000 We have had lots of great guests. 24 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:39,480 Started out with obviously people I know and then they introduced me to people they know. 25 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,200 And it has kind of grown that way. 26 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:48,960 And it has been very, it's definitely evolved and it is something I'm learning every day, 27 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:50,760 learning something new to make this better. 28 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,760 And if you have suggestions, I'm always open for them. 29 00:01:53,760 --> 00:02:01,040 And so yeah, we've had amazing guests and lots of people from people that started businesses 30 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:07,640 to leaving corporate America, to running for office, to quitting a job to go work for a 31 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:12,680 nonprofit and then having to go back to work for corporate because of the money. 32 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:19,840 And people that have started franchisers because of franchises, because of a child's health 33 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,560 issues knowing that family was more important. 34 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:28,800 I had somebody I know shares the coach and shared about healing the hustle. 35 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,600 And I think we all need to slow down a little bit and realize, you know, are you doing what 36 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,200 you're passionate about? 37 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,960 I've had so many people recently talk about how much they just don't like work. 38 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:40,520 And I love what I do. 39 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,600 And I want more people to love what they do. 40 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,320 I've had people, as I said, run for office. 41 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:50,120 I had the former mayor of a town. 42 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,160 I had a good friend of mine that was running for office. 43 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:58,320 And I've had a couple of people run for different offices and not make it. 44 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,820 And one friend ran for office and did make it. 45 00:03:01,820 --> 00:03:05,760 And she's going to share another episode about the lessons she learned for that. 46 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:13,240 I've had people share their faith about being courageous and doing somebody wrote a devotional. 47 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:17,320 I had people talk from I had somebody from a church. 48 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:21,320 I had somebody from a shelter share. 49 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:26,480 I had a friend of mine that has her own podcast and challenges you to live like your color 50 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,360 of your nail polish. 51 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:33,160 I had somebody that helps with the Small Business Administration with starting businesses. 52 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:42,280 I had a friend of mine that, unfortunately, through many surgeries, became addicted to 53 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:52,440 toxic drugs and she shares her survival story and how she was able to go through the process 54 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:56,080 and changing and getting healthy again. 55 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,480 I had Mary Kay Asch's assistant share on Mary Kay's anniversary. 56 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,680 And as you know, if you listen to this, I am a sales director with Mary Kay. 57 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:08,320 So I do talk about Mary Kay, but that's not the focus of this podcast. 58 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:11,200 And then last week, we had a friend of mine that's a musician. 59 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,880 Oh my gosh, she just opened my eyes to so many things. 60 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,800 So people here have been courageous and shared their stories. 61 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:26,760 And so this week, I thought it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, well, this will air. 62 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:31,040 And what a perfect time to talk about the holidays and being intentional. 63 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:32,600 So first of all, happy Thanksgiving. 64 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,920 Hope everybody enjoyed time with your family. 65 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:41,560 And I love this weekend because it's kind of a time to reflect, to get ready for the 66 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:42,560 holidays. 67 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:49,240 But I really want to share with you guys today about being intentional in December and saying, 68 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:57,440 why not today to create a holiday for you that you enjoy and that has meaning to you 69 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,080 and gives you joy. 70 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,880 We get so wrapped up in the stress and the craziness of the holidays. 71 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:06,440 And sometimes we lose our joy and lose ourselves. 72 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:12,520 And we arrive at the day after Christmas just totally completely exhausted. 73 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:16,200 And I watch my family do that and my mother. 74 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:17,200 And you know what? 75 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,920 That's not the life that I want to design for me. 76 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:25,520 I'm going to share some ideas about creating the holiday season you want that gives you 77 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,360 joy and saying yes to the things that you want to do and how that can look like for 78 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:30,360 you. 79 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:35,000 Several years ago where I live, there's a beautiful town center and it's decorated gorgeous 80 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,000 for Christmas. 81 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,600 You have an ice skating rink, beautiful lights. 82 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:42,880 However, I found myself running in to the store and out of the store and hurrying to 83 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:48,640 grab this and hustling to do that and not really taking the time to look at the lights 84 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:50,800 and enjoy the season. 85 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:56,880 And so I started a practice several years ago about being intentional on December. 86 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,960 And literally I printed out a calendar and I have that calendar I'm sharing with you 87 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:06,240 guys today as a freebie for you to say why not today every single day in December to 88 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:10,080 do something that gives you joy to enjoy the holiday season. 89 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:15,480 There's so much hustle and bustle and craziness and getting the gifts and you know, I don't 90 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,320 know about you guys, but I need nothing. 91 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:18,320 And most people don't. 92 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,520 And we need to spend time with the people we care about and do the things we want to 93 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:22,520 do. 94 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:29,720 So this podcast is airing in 2022 and we've had a couple hard years and we have some years 95 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,880 where we weren't able to celebrate with family and do things and go to the parties. 96 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:37,360 Well, I think all the parties and all the things are back and full force. 97 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,280 And so I'm going to be intentional about doing the things I care about, spending time with 98 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:48,200 people that I care about and doing the little things to make a difference in other people's 99 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:49,360 life. 100 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:55,600 And so, as I said, I have a calendar that I'm going to share with you guys, a blind calendar. 101 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,880 It says why not today and it's December. 102 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:04,960 And I challenge each of you to take the month of December and share something or do something 103 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,840 every single day that gives you joy and do those things. 104 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:14,560 And it can be teeny tiny little things like look at Christmas lights, sit on your couch 105 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,200 and enjoy your Christmas tree. 106 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:22,480 It could be grabbing a coffee, fluffy coffee from Starbucks, a holiday coffee. 107 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,480 It could be, I mean, I've got so many ideas. 108 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:26,040 Oh, and there goes my alarm. 109 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:27,840 Alexa, turn off the timer. 110 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:30,200 Sorry about that. 111 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:35,520 But it could be watching a Christmas show or there's special Christmas shows you enjoy. 112 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:41,040 I know for me that I enjoy the Kennedy Center Honors and I looked it up and put it on my 113 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:42,040 calendar. 114 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,880 But you can Google it if you want to know, let me know what it is or let me know. 115 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:46,880 I can share that with you. 116 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:48,160 So it's watching that. 117 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:49,160 I love doing that. 118 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,680 It is, there's a CMA, a country music band. 119 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:53,680 They're doing a Christmas show. 120 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:55,960 I know a lot of other people probably have Christmas shows. 121 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:57,520 The lighting of the Christmas trees. 122 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:03,240 Those of us that live in North Virginia, have you gone downtown to look at the national 123 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:04,480 Christmas tree? 124 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,280 And I was listening to Radio the other day and they said there's another big Christmas 125 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,080 tree in D.C. you can go see. 126 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:11,840 One of my other favorite things in this area is to go to the Warp. 127 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:12,840 It's decorated beautiful. 128 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,800 I remember a couple years ago we were there at Thanksgiving and it was a little chilly 129 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:22,960 day and we're sitting there and there we're at this rum spillery and underneath the heaters 130 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:27,560 and it was just magical out there and then all of a sudden it started to snow. 131 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,960 And I shared it on social media and people were like it's snowing there? 132 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:32,240 Well it was fake snow. 133 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:33,240 But it was so much fun. 134 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:34,240 It was magical. 135 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:39,100 Where I live here in Reston next weekend, next Saturday Santa Claus will be coming by 136 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:45,800 barge and on with elves on paddle boards and there's music. 137 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,720 There's all kinds of activities and that's always a fun event. 138 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:53,560 My friend's restaurant that was with me to see that snow, she usually has fake snow and 139 00:08:53,560 --> 00:08:54,560 a fire pit. 140 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:57,400 It is going to a Christmas craft show. 141 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,040 Not really to buy anything but look around and see what's there. 142 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,880 Send a note to somebody that you care about. 143 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:08,160 Not just like a Christmas card to everybody on the list and sign your name. 144 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:12,080 I know I love getting Christmas cards and I love hearing from people but I really enjoy 145 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:13,080 the handwritten note. 146 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:17,760 Just the thinking of you, just those little things, sticker. 147 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,600 You know if somebody pops in your head send them a text, send them a little card. 148 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:25,800 I am going to share also a why not today postcard I created that you can write a note on and 149 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:26,800 send it to a friend. 150 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:32,440 If you have a kid, one of your kids put it in their lunch box in the holidays. 151 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:33,440 Go to local pageants. 152 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,280 Is there a Nutcracker local? 153 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:45,720 I know Wolf Trap performing arts center here I think does next week and also a holiday 154 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:46,720 sing along. 155 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:50,560 Never been there and unfortunately I will be out of town so I will miss it. 156 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:53,320 Do you want to decorate for Christmas? 157 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:55,520 Do you want to or do you not? 158 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:57,600 You are allowed to say no to things too. 159 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,280 No is a complete sentence. 160 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:02,200 Say no to the things you don't want to go to. 161 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:07,960 If it is a party and you don't really feel like you need to be there or you are tired, 162 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:08,960 say no. 163 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:09,960 It is okay. 164 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,800 Decorate the way you want to decorate. 165 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:17,120 I am on the fence whether or not I am getting a Christmas tree because it is a little bit 166 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:20,600 of extra work to put the tree up although it gives me joy once it is there. 167 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,680 I think I have got an allergy when I touch the tree. 168 00:10:23,680 --> 00:10:24,680 My fingers itch. 169 00:10:24,680 --> 00:10:27,480 I have to put a glove to put the lights on. 170 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:31,360 I know I get it artificial but I am not going there yet. 171 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:32,840 Decorate the way you want to. 172 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,760 If you don't want to decorate that is okay too. 173 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,040 What gives you joy? 174 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:38,040 Decorate when you are ready. 175 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,640 I used to not decorate until the beginning of December and now I am going to decorate 176 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:42,640 probably later today. 177 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:47,200 There is a fun store called Mucket Country Store. 178 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,520 That is a fun thing to do. 179 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:52,120 Go to stores that are decorated. 180 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:57,200 Another fun thing in the Northern Virginia area is go to National Harbor. 181 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,280 The Gaylord Hotel is decorated beautifully. 182 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,520 You can go see ice which is a fun thing to do. 183 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:05,000 I did it once or twice and that was enough for me. 184 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:10,320 But you can still go into the Gaylord Hotel and the lobby is decorated beautifully. 185 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:11,320 You can watch. 186 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:12,400 They have a live show in there. 187 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,280 They have fireworks I think on Friday nights there. 188 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:18,640 There are so many fun things to do. 189 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:23,320 When the person sends you an invite, if you want to go, go. 190 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,640 If you think of somebody they pop in your head, call them. 191 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,160 If you want to meet them for coffee or lunch. 192 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:31,320 If you want to give back, there are so many ways to give back. 193 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:36,880 I do an adopt a mom program where I partner with an organization called FISH which is 194 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:40,680 friendly instant sympathetic help. 195 00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:42,680 They provide food baskets for women in the area. 196 00:11:42,680 --> 00:11:46,960 This year they have a need of 250 baskets and I provide a gift for every mother that 197 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:48,440 picks up her food basket. 198 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:54,040 A lot of times if moms cannot afford food they are not going to receive a gift. 199 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:58,360 A lot of the moms say can I open this on Christmas? 200 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:01,840 There are places that you can go help wrap gifts. 201 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:05,200 There are places that you can help give donations. 202 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:11,840 There is an elf shop I heard of that you can take things to them and then kids get to go 203 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,640 in and shop and pick the gifts they want. 204 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:18,240 As we approach the end of the year, do you want to clean out your closet? 205 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:21,400 You may have coats that when was the last time you wore it and are you really going 206 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:22,400 to ever wear it again? 207 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,000 And somebody else could use it. 208 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,280 Donate some gloves and scarves. 209 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:28,400 I know a lot of churches do a giving tree. 210 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,400 Grab a tag from there. 211 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:34,000 So as you can see there are a million and one ways to enjoy the holidays. 212 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,920 What gives you joy? 213 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:37,920 And what do you want to do? 214 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,080 And what do you want to say no to? 215 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:45,320 And look at your calendar and there are so many invites and make sure you don't fill 216 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:48,040 it so full that you don't get to enjoy the holiday season. 217 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:52,800 So that is my message that I want you guys to just enjoy the holiday season. 218 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:58,440 Be mindful of what you're doing and be present with the people you're with. 219 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:00,600 That is such a gift. 220 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:06,680 We don't need presence of things but we really need to be present with people and enjoy the 221 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:08,560 gift of people's time. 222 00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:13,040 So whether it's a coffee or a walk or just as I said, texting somebody to tell them you 223 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:14,040 care. 224 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,280 And so those are some of my ideas. 225 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,960 And then I also want to share with you to think about new traditions, new things you 226 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:21,960 can do. 227 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:26,240 And also in being present, be present with your family and the things you do and don't 228 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:27,560 take it for granted. 229 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:29,360 You never know. 230 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:33,560 And as we've discovered the last couple years where everything can change in a moment's 231 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:34,560 notice. 232 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:37,160 And your family tradition of doing the same thing every year and you take it for granted 233 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:38,520 that you always do it. 234 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:41,120 But then what happens when it doesn't happen anymore? 235 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:45,440 Now of course, you know, that changes a lot with when people pass away, but also it can 236 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:50,520 change people move away or get married or have babies or tradition changes. 237 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:57,040 So I'm from a big family and for my entire life, we were all together for Christmas Eve. 238 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,320 We actually did a Christmas the night before the night before we did Christmas Eve. 239 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:01,320 We did Christmas morning. 240 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:02,320 We could do Christmas dinner. 241 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:07,840 We did the day after Christmas and it was like nonstop family time and we kind of laughed 242 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,760 at oh my gosh, how much togetherness can we have? 243 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:14,000 And we don't get to do all those things now because things have changed. 244 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,480 So appreciate the things you're doing and be present with the people. 245 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:24,440 Take the pictures and so you have some of the memories and as I said, be present with 246 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:29,840 the people and enjoy your time and create as I said, create those new traditions. 247 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:35,520 Nine years ago when my father was diagnosed with cancer, we went started a cane family 248 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:37,840 turkey trot walking around the neighborhood. 249 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:43,520 Well we moved it to my neighborhood on the lake and I always teased it was a 5k or 10k 250 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:44,520 and my family laughed at me. 251 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:48,560 They're like Leslie, it's not that long and it's not a strenuous walk, but there were 252 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:50,360 five or 10 canes at the event. 253 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:56,320 Well we did it yesterday or Thursday for Thanksgiving and there weren't as many in my family member 254 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:01,720 for traveling reasons and being sick and whatever, but we've created a new kind of family, a 255 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:05,280 community of friends and family that we are able to get together. 256 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:11,480 New people in that area that didn't know anybody to friends and had family visiting and our 257 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:17,040 friend Beth, we have a tradition, our strenuous turkey trot, we walk a whole mile and a half, 258 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:22,160 but halfway we have to stop for mimosa stop with my friend Beth's host. 259 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:27,720 And last night on Thursday she did a beautiful toast to my father and bringing community 260 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:33,240 together and I think that's what he did and that's what I hope to duplicate and replicate 261 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:37,200 and encourage you guys to create those new traditions. 262 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:42,760 So the other thing is I will have an episode next week and to think about, a friend of 263 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:48,000 mine wrote a book called Jingle and Joy and coming up with your intentional December calendar, 264 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:52,000 think about not just focusing on the jingle and the craziness and the perfect wrapped 265 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:56,600 gift and the perfect everything, but the joy of it and taking time for the holidays as 266 00:15:56,600 --> 00:16:00,680 I said, what gives you joy, what is important to you. 267 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:05,360 So I encourage you, as I said, to be intentional in December. 268 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:09,480 Make it a December to remember, to create those memories, do the fun things, spend the 269 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:11,320 time with people. 270 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:16,720 Share on my, on social media, share on the Why Not Today podcast group, like what are 271 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:17,720 the things you're doing. 272 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:21,720 I actually, I think I'm going to do some giveaways like Jodi who's going to talk about Jingle 273 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:26,040 and Joy, she has a book, have that as a giveaway and I'm going to give away some things too. 274 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:30,440 So based on people who like, share, comment in December, we're going to do some fun giveaways. 275 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:34,040 We're going to make this a fun December. 276 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:38,200 And so I encourage you not only for you to be intentional, but encourage somebody else 277 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:39,200 to be intentional. 278 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:44,520 Encourage somebody to listen to this podcast, share it with somebody, to encourage somebody 279 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:48,400 to focus on the right reasons for the season. 280 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:55,600 What brings you joy, you know, and as I said, it is not the hustle and bustle of the holidays, 281 00:16:55,600 --> 00:17:02,520 but enjoying family time, prayer time, and based on your faith, what is important to 282 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:05,600 you and how do you want to remember the holiday season. 283 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:06,880 So encourage other people. 284 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:10,040 Also, I encourage you to get some Why Not Today gear. 285 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:11,840 It's a shameless plug. 286 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:15,960 You know, we have t-shirts, I have t-shirts, I have cups, I have vinyls, I actually made 287 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:23,240 some Christmas ornaments and a coffee mug and I have created the logo with a Santa hat 288 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:24,240 on it. 289 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:25,920 So I've changed it a little bit for the holidays. 290 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,320 So if you were interested in getting something for you or somebody you care about, say why 291 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,840 not today, then I encourage you to do that. 292 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,560 So in every episode, I connect it back to my father. 293 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:36,400 Well, this is pretty easy. 294 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:41,800 But in thinking about this, and as I walk around the lake every day past her old house, 295 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:44,440 and family and holidays was very important. 296 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,960 My dad actually grew up an only child. 297 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:51,000 And so for holidays, it was pretty boring for him and kind of sad, I think, because 298 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:56,400 he didn't have all the, well, not the chaos, but he didn't have all the activity. 299 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:03,280 And so he created traditions for our family that we always welcomed anybody. 300 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:06,600 If you didn't have a place to go, you were always welcome. 301 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:10,320 And our family grew, not only did we have a big family, or do we have a big family, 302 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:16,480 but it grew exponentially with the people that we invited that needed a place to go. 303 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:24,500 And so I challenge you to invite somebody else to, you know, include somebody else in 304 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:28,960 your holidays, however you can, because there are a lot of lonely people and sad people 305 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:33,600 and people, you know, it is a hard time if you've lost a loved one, it makes it even 306 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:34,600 harder. 307 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:38,680 My younger sister, Amanda, who has Down syndrome often, and holidays, she's sad. 308 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,120 And she says what we all think is she misses her daddy. 309 00:18:42,120 --> 00:18:44,440 And I definitely miss my dad during the holidays. 310 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:46,960 There's one thing I didn't miss about him. 311 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:51,120 He was meticulous about decorating the Christmas tree with tinsel. 312 00:18:51,120 --> 00:18:55,280 And it often was a big argument, because of course, six kids wanted to decorate and do 313 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:58,440 it our way, but he had to do it perfectly. 314 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:03,800 But one year, kind of a funny Pat Kane story, to his detriment, he was being Mr. Perfect 315 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:08,160 decorating, and we used to have like 20 foot trees, the bigger the tree, the better. 316 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:11,200 He had to wire it to the railing, keep it up there. 317 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:15,880 One year he was decorating it on a ladder in a pair of cowboy boots and fell and broke 318 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:16,880 a tip. 319 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:21,640 So that was not very fun part of the holiday, but so many great memories of fun things that 320 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:22,640 we did as a family. 321 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:27,840 So create those memories, be intentional, and enjoy the holiday season and let me know 322 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:29,760 what you did to be intentional. 323 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:31,560 So thanks again for listening. 324 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:35,160 We are going to have a special episode next week. 325 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:36,960 So share this with somebody else. 326 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:43,200 We are on Spotify and Google and iTunes and all the places you can find podcasts. 327 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,040 If you just search, why not today? 328 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,760 We are on Facebook, we're on Instagram. 329 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,800 And share this with somebody else and thanks for listening. 330 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,480 And if this gives you value and joy, let me know. 331 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:55,840 I'd love to hear from you guys. 332 00:19:55,840 --> 00:20:01,080 So this is Leslie Kane saying why not today, especially in December? 333 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:15,520 Bye.