There are 12 months in a year...

It's the holiday season, and I've noticed an uptick in the giving spirit. People are donating food, money, items for multiple reasons. We want people to have a good holiday season, we don't want kids to go without presents, we want to get the tax write off (though in Michigan, it's only the federal write off now).

But every year around this time, it still bothers me. It bothers me that in general, people don't give during the rest of the year. It bothers me that somehow, November and December seem to mean more to people than the rest of the year. It bothers me that people/causes in needs struggle at times during the other 10 months.

Now, don't get me wrong. I also tend to get in the giving spirit during the holidays. I think in some ways, it's what society has conditioned us to do.

But, cancer doesn't go away January-October. Neither does hunger or worrying about how you're going to pay your bills or take care of your family if you're just getting by.

The same goes for "Small Business Saturday". Small businesses don't stay in business because people go there one day a year - they need business all year round. I frequent many small businesses in Lansing and also suggest them to people 365 days a year, not just one day a year.

Before everyone gets caught up in the holidays this weekend, I challenge you all to think about what you will do in 2013 to support people, causes and businesses all year round. I challenge you to give to a charity or volunteer in your community at least once a month. I challenge you to do something kind each day. I challenge you to shop local on a weekly basis (which I know some of you do this daily).

We're always wondering how we can be better human beings. Here's a start. Take it through the holidays and into the new year. You'll make a difference, even if you don't see it.