Holiday Tidings

This is the time of year I love most: the music, the decorations, the seasons greetings, but mostly I love the way this time of year makes me feel. It makes me feel grateful for who I am and what I have. It also, I would argue most importantly, it makes me feel joy and intensifies my desire to give, to be generous, not just with money but with my time, my efforts and myself.

If you've known me for any period of time, you should know that I love giving gifts, not just any gift either.  I love giving the perfect gift. There's no better feeling than when you find that thing that you know will make the person it's intended for happy.  I give gifts all year round, not just on birthdays and Christmas. I love giving "just because" gifts because it always makes the person receiving feel special. It brings me joy knowing that I've made some one feel special. 

I think that idea is what makes the holiday season so special for me. I get to see other people indulge in something that I love to do. I get to see others that I am not able to reach be touched in this season. I get to watch and, sometimes cry, as the giving spirit hits other people in generous ways. 

But even more it shows me something that is lacking in the world today. It makes me think about how much of society doesn't think twice about giving at any other point of the year.  They have the ability to and they don't. They just don't think about it.  I've been known to do that, it's human nature, selfish human nature at that, but human nature nonetheless.  Everyone is guilty of it, I'm not pointing fingers anywhere but at myself.  I told you before that I love giving gifts, but does that extend to acquaintance and strangers. The answer to that is generally no. I don't give money to people on the streets and I am guilty of often turning away and ignoring people I don't want to talk to. I have my reasons to justify my tendencies, but does it make it right. No. 

So how can you, can I change my attitude. To be honest, I don't really know. I can make sweeping statements like I'll keep food on me at all times in case I come across someone begging for money, or I'll tithe more at church. But I have no way to keep myself accountable for that. I can tell people that's what I'll do, but good intentions are just that, intentions. There has to be some way that you can keep me accountable and that I can keep you accountable. 

I think that if we put our minds to it the world could be a better place. Just look at some of the people who are already doing just that. Projects like Habitat For Humanity, Make A Wish, and This Star Won't Go Out are doing great things for both the people giving and receiving.  If everyone took some time to seriously consider how much good they put into the world versus how much they take out and make an adjustment, changes would happen. 

I'm not saying this should or even could happen over night but with a little bit of selfless effort in this giving season, maybe, just maybe, a spark could start a fire that begins a whole new movement as we enter 2014.  Change can happen, all it takes is one person's spark to ignite a whole group.