My AA sponsor (a person in the AA program who acts as a guide) asked me once when I was lamenting about something that was bothering me: "Okay, are you done now?" When I sheepishly said yes, she said "It's time for you to reach out today and help someone else." Now? When I'm really down and hurting? "Yes," she said, "this is the best time to stop focusing on yourself and help others." Time and again, I've found this to be so true and so helpful.

So, while we are in various stages of struggling and whining with our virus-affected lives, our work at TallGrass takes us outside ourselves with ways to help others through relaxing facials, healing massages, and rejuvenating hair color treatments and manicures. Taking that still further, we can then reach out to our community to help even more.

These past months, TallGrass participated in two heartwarming and worthy fundraising events. For our Furry Friends Fundraiser, we put our amateur talents to work drawing guests' dogs, cats, and horses for a $15 donation to Evergreen Animal Protective League. The project raised over $1,000 and brought laughter and joy to all – staff and guests alike!

Then this past weekend, a group of TallGrass employees and friends from the community walked one mile in bare feet and in solidarity on behalf of children around the world, raising funds for JOY International's mission to prevent child trafficking which, in my opinion, is one of the most horrific crimes on our planet. This was our second year and we were thrilled to raise over $3,000 thanks to support from our community. If you'd like more info, please visit https://www.joy.org.

Giving to others – to each other, to our dear guests, and to those less fortunate – is the foundation of our company. I hope you might consider looking outward and extending your hand of help and support even now during your own challenges. It certainly makes a world of difference in our lives and it will for you, too! 

Gail Sharp is the owner of TallGrass Spa and Salon. Email her at sharpgail@aol.com .