Another year older and a new year will begin! I would take my children to school everyday, when I would take them after summer break to their next grade level is when it would hit me.....they're getting older..........their Birthday's didn't effect me this way, it was ALWAYS the next year of school....So, the New Year is upon us and what will you do, another year older, coo-coo-ca-choo!

While so many will have New Years Resolutions for whatever they may be, to take them on slowly is the best way to be. This way your resolutions become a habit, if it's being kinder, eating healthier, trying harder, etc. Make them a reality by doing them slowly, daily and intentionally.

Make each minute count! I know for me at times I feel like the day is lasting forever, and yet the years seem to fly on by? Something I've been doing this past year when I'm overwhelmed or avoiding a task that needs to be done, I find my 'happy place', be it painting, drawing, writing or writing in my journal, I choose one to do to keep my mind occupied in a good place so that I can go into the next minute, next hour, next week or next year feeling at peace and balanced.

Don't worry, BE HAPPY! Don't put so much pressure on yourself and try to get everything accomplished right away, take it one day at a time, one minute, one week, one month, one year and before you know it another New Year will appear! Happy New Year.

My name is Joni Downey, I'm the creator of the Characters of Character. We're a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. Be sure to visit our website to learn how you can implement these traits in your home, your classroom, your community and in your everyday life!

Have you met the Characters of Character? After piloting them in an elementary school where they earned a National Promising Practice Award, Joni Downey, the creator formed a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization to share the important messages of the characters and to empower children, engage families and entertain communities in their life lessons building better citizenship, a better mindset and a foundation to build and grow upon. Meet Behavior Bear who teaches a child what good behavior means. Meet Do'er Duck who teaches children to 'NEVER GIVE UP'. Meet Friendship Frog who teaches children what it means to be a friend. Meet Healthy Hippo who teaches children about healthy habits. Meet Manners Monkey who teaches children about good manners. Meet Respectful Rabbit who teaches children about being respectful. Meet Responsible Rabbit who teaches children what it means to be responsible. Meet Self-Esteem Elephant who teaches children what it means to be confident and proud of who you are. And, finally, meet Warm-Hearted Walrus who teaches children to be kind and not bully.

Whether you live locally or throughout the country, Characters of Character shares its service and resource nationally. This year we focused on Children's Hospital Visits to bring joy to girls and boys as they heal their body and minds during their hospital stay. The kits included character building activities which they don't even realize because they are so engaged in the activity. The kits include an activity book, a canvas with a message to paint, paints, paint brush, crayons, etc. to help empower the child in the messages. Some of these were Super Hero Kits, others were Kindness Kits or a Super Hero Box. The locations varied depending on the funding. We brought our character costume Self-Esteem Elephant to Shriner's Children Hospital in Chicago and our character costume Warm-Hearted Walrus to Huntley Hospital in Huntley, Illinois. We donated activities to Loyola Hospital in Chicago and also Robert and Ann Lurie's Children Hospital in Chicago. In 2020 we have began to reach out to other Children's Hospitals across the country to gift these character kits to children. With your donation we are able to continue making a difference in the life of a child. We can not do it with out your support. Please consider the Characters of Character for this Giving Tuesday and through the year ahead to empower, engage and entertain our children, families and communities in these important character messages. Thank you.