Hohoho, happy holidays.
R-i-i-i-ght.
It's supposed to be the representation of the birth of Jesus Christ (= hope and joy). It's supposed to keep us mindful of peace on earth, good will to men, loving our fellow human beings, keeping gratefulness front and center in our hearts and minds for the things we have, and to keep us humble and helpful to those who have less. Not just people with fewer possessions, but those who are in need of an ear to hear their stories; those who have fallen on hard times; those with less conviction and strength to overcome addictions; those who require assistance to begin again - or at least maintain until things can turn around in their lives.
The focus for a lot of charity drives is to provide a fun Christmas for children - so, donate toys that can be dispersed where they are needed; put money in a red kettle and hope it gets where it needs to be; empty your pantry shelves of food items and drop off donations to shelters so someone can have a hot meal. So many more, I am certain you know the drill.
Well, that's all fine for Christmas - yea! the end of the calendar year holidays are covered, but what about the rest of the 11 months of the year? Starting at Thanksgiving, we are bombarded with pleas for help...but things become pretty lax from New Year's day forward. Oh sure, there are requests for breast cancer awareness and the race for the cure (and all of the other incurable diseases)...pleas for money to assist doctors without borders to reconstruct facial (and other) deformities in foreign lands...and on and on. But, where is the social conscientiousness in the effort to remain vigilant in behaving well? For being loving and respectful to those around us, and to remember to smile instead of scowl? Thinking good thoughts and uttering encouraging words? Where is that effort?
Don't model horrible behaviors for your children and then turn around and complain about other young people behaving badly.
As an example: share the roadways instead of petulantly believing you are the only person on the road with a place to get to.
Don't wave at me with one specific finger because I didn't allow you to race up and cut me off when the lanes merged down - the lanes have been merging for a mile and a half, and the rest of us fell in line and have been awaiting our turn to get past the impediment - why don't you do the same?
Don't be dissmissive and rude to people in the waitstaff industry, and then wonder why the next cashier you encounter isn't as happy as a lark to serve check you out.
Don't neglect being charitable all the year long - and not just with your money and possessions. Open your hearts and give of your time and yourself - it's worth more, anyway. Start with your kids and watch the returns.
No...maybe you can't write that sort of personal donation off on your taxes, but doesn't the warmth of humanitarianism last far longer and reach deeper into you than dropping a fiver into a red kettle?
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