Here we are in this season that often prompts us to reflect on the past year with the following questions: What did I do this year? Have I changedfrom last year or am I still the same? What challenges did I face this year and what will I face next year? How can I lead more of the life that I desireto live?

Being an undergraduate senior concentrating in individual and community development and preparing to graduate this coming May, I especially feel that I have thought long and hard about these questions throughout the year. “How can I contribute to and support the world around me?” “If I’d like to try a change, how can I learn from my environment of the past and present to develop my new plan of change for the future?” and most importantly, “How can I make choices in every moment that will lead me to come up with fulfilling answers to those two questions?”

I believe one of the best choices I made this past year is to contribute my time, energy and love to be a Gift Implementation intern for The Generation Project. Having the opportunity to communicate and work directly with energetic educators who are eager to enhance their students’ lives, and viewing the resulting photographs of smiling students engaged with the gifts that I helped give was one of the best inspirational beacons of light and gifts I received this year. Being able to give, I believe, is a privilege. It is also an opportunity that comes around a lot more than most people realize. Thank you donors, teachers and students, and The Generation Project for allowing me to give, to be a part of these valuable moments in your lives. A 2011 New Years resolution for me is to continue giving via The Generation Project by helping to give more gifts to more people in more places.