I know it’s early to be talking about shopping for the holidays. However, there is a good reason for it. There’s a great group of people in India who are handcrafting all sorts of nicey-nice things to give as gifts. Visit the Village Artisan website and read about their people and their story. A fried of mine spent nearly a year out of her life living with these folks and working hard alongside them. You don’t need to adopt anyone, or give up your first-born. Just buy some aromatherapy candles or some soap. Maybe their handcrafted coton paper will fit the bill. You know you’ll be buying something like that at some point over the holidays – why not do it and make a difference at the same time?

If you’re interested in purchasing anything, leave a comment. If you get in contact with them personally, let me know so I can pass the good news along to my friend. Remember, timing is everything – these products are coming from India!

This is the section dedicated to putting some love back into the world. I am not a religious person by any stretch, but these principles do fall in line with my beliefs. The concepts of Ahimsa and Maitri are things I have been practicing for years. Yes, I said practicing, not perfecting. As they say, practice makes perfect. I have explained in other sections of The Faulty Filter, I make no apologies for my views. This is my effort to balance the darkness with some sunshine.

These sanskrit words are often bandied about in yoga classes and are introduced to have students be kind to themselves and those around them. I do believe that positive thinking and affirmations do make a difference. One should start to change the world by changing their world.

Therefore, this is my beginning to changing my world. What you do with yours is entirely up to you.