True giving – sincerity of the heart
Oh the holidays; the happy holidays; memories of childhood wonder; love in the air; Christmas carols humming in our heads; and festivities abounding.
Our blessings are immeasurable…… That is one side of the story. That is the ideal.
The other side of the story is the family living down the street that has no money for turkey or ham; the senior citizen who has nobody visiting; the person who lost their loved one this year, making Christmas nearly unbearable; the mom who can’t buy her kids even one present; the person in the hospital; the couple going through separation or divorce; or the military men and women so far from home.
Christmas can be very painful when it doesn’t fit the ideal. It is good for us to stop the frantic rushing and think about others.
I see no problem in all of us wanting the Christmas that is portrayed in greeting cards; but let us not forget about the individuals and families who are not as fortunate.
To those not having the Norman Rockwell Christmas, this information applies to you also; you can give a smile, help a child, visit the elderly, volunteer where you can, and send a thank you note to those who have helped you in tough times. I know it is embarrassing to not have the money to give like others do, but giving time and friendly greetings is just as meaningful.
Christmas is a holiday for Christians, but it doesn’t matter what faith you have or don’t have, the spirit is universal. It is a time of year when people share good will. It is a time for giving even if you can only give a smile.
Very few activities build as much good mental health as doing something kind for someone else. I know it can be disheartening to give to strangers who seem to have very little just to see them at the grocery store with their cart full of expensive, unhealthy snacks, and to find out they own more electronics than you do. But remember, the value of giving is in the sincerity of the heart. We give because we want to and because we can. We don’t give for big accolades or to pat ourselves on the back for being such a great person. We give because it’s the right thing to do.
Give with pure intention. If we give the homeless man $10.00 and we see him head straight to the liquor store, it is not our job to judge. We should have given the money without strings attached. If we wanted him to spend it on food we should have walked him to the restaurant and paid the bill. It is a feel good thing to give freely; to give without expectations and obligations.
We don’t have to give much. A ten minute visit with someone who is alone is priceless and yet costs nothing. Gather up your neighbors and go Christmas caroling to a nursing home; your reward will be the sparkle of memories in the residents eyes. It would be great training for kids too.
I believe we can all try to change the ideal, the fairytale Holiday; change it to be more about sharing and caring than about gift giving and chaos.
A friend once told me that historically Christmas began as a holy day and then it became a holiday and now it is at risk of being a hollow day. We don’t want a “hollow” day.
Let us do what we can; be grateful for what we have, make our holidays all we want them to be, and share a little goodness everywhere we go.
That is Christmas!
Until the next time: Live while you live