Sassy Dove spends most of the year suggesting ways to make yourself more beautiful. Well, it’s our first Christmas as a website and that means we’re going to do something special: suggesting ways you can make your inside and the world around you more beautiful.

Making the world more beautiful is easier than you think. If you’re lacking the funds to give back this Christmas, you can still do good. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter, soup kitchen or food bank. Animal sanctuaries always need help. There are even ways to give back from your computer – creative websites, like FreeRice.com which lets you solve vocabulary questions to donate rice to the less fortunate or TabForaCause.org which lets you raise charity money by surfing the web, allow us to participate in the spirit of the season from home.

Internally, spend some time reflecting on your own feelings. What situations hold you back? Make you angry? One thing I’ve learned that I depend on: the roots of our feelings of anger are often truly feelings of fear or shame. When you become upset, think about that fact. Generosity, selflessness and being able to be vulnerable with the ones you love are the things that make your soul feel beautiful. Write a thoughtful card to a family member or friend who’s going through hard times. Heck, send a friendly text. Above all, learn to give more than you get. 

This is the season for giving – but I think you’ll find the more you give, the more you get. Feeling beautiful is about your inside as much as your outside. Learn to think beyond the borders of your epidermis and see the world around you as it really is: beautiful. You are as gorgeous as the actions you take toward others. Merry Christmas, my doves – and don’t forget the red lipstick.