nevermore
November 26th, 2004, 11:33 AM
I would like you to sit and think for a bit on what is out there that you “truly” need. Now before you get to the point of thinking really hard and putting and effort into thinking about it, please put in consideration of the many people out there, including children that have absolutely nothing or next to nothing at all. Almost more importantly, they don’t have anything to look up to in their mindset. All they see is the dark tunnel that has become the way their life is being lived.
The mass majority of us have food, clothing, shelter and the ability to entertain ourselves, families, and our friends. The average spending on gifts for the holiday season averages around $500. Personally, when I look around my house I see lots of stuff and I truly mean “Stuff”. A lot of things that are “nice to have” but are not essential needs. I don’t really have a need or want for anything compared to what some people truly have a need for out there.
I would like to suggest that we as people start to look more into dedicating our energy to volunteer or donate more to causes that make people as a whole better. Instead of getting each other the “tokens” of friendship, love and appreciation that we call gifts, why can’t we try something different? The holiday season is supposed to be about love and caring about each other. When I see “each other”, I think we all need to look at a much broader horizon to include everyone.
If we were to sit there and take some of the trinkets that we were going to buy for one another and instead of buying each other more “stuff” and donate some money or time to a good cause that would benefit the less fortunate. Instead of a physical gift, you can buy the special person a card and write a note in there telling them why you appreciate and love them and also add in that you donated this or bought this and gave it to this group or volunteered your time to benefit others in that person’s name and honor. The phrase “It’s the thought that counts” is always being stated. Let’s make it actually mean something in a deeper sense. Now you can place this card under the tree, on the tree or in someone’s stocking and think of the feeling that you would have knowing that you helped someone less fortunate and when the recipient opens the card and reads it think of the thought that they just made a difference in someone’s life that is far less fortunate than us. Also, bear in mind that there are a lot of elderly people in this country that are lonely and have needs as well. Consider contacting your local department of aging to consider possibly donating some time as well. There are programs such as Pets on Wheels, Meals on Wheel and Friendly Visitor that can sit there and put a smile on someone’s face when they are feeling down. Some only require an hour a week of your time, but that hour can be worth many more to an elder person who is lonely.
I am not suggesting that we all not buy gifts for one another, but just replace some of the money that you were going to spend on a person and direct it towards a better cause. I think we need to stop being as materialistic and looking at helping others. Also, get your children involved with it. Tell them about some of the good causes out there and make them want to help out others who have nothing.
If you appreciate what you have read thus far and think the idea and thought is worth sharing, please pass it on to your family and friends. Even if a small handful of people act upon this, think of all the positive benefit that we have done to make someone’s holiday worth spending. I have included a couple charities below I am personally going to work with this holiday season.
It really doesn’t matter which holiday you celebrate, we all can and should help others who are in more need than us.
www.childrentochildren.org – provides foster children duffel bags, a stuffed animal and a note letting them know that they are cared about. When foster children move from house to house, they take what possessions they do have and put them in a garbage bag.
www.toysfortots.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org
The mass majority of us have food, clothing, shelter and the ability to entertain ourselves, families, and our friends. The average spending on gifts for the holiday season averages around $500. Personally, when I look around my house I see lots of stuff and I truly mean “Stuff”. A lot of things that are “nice to have” but are not essential needs. I don’t really have a need or want for anything compared to what some people truly have a need for out there.
I would like to suggest that we as people start to look more into dedicating our energy to volunteer or donate more to causes that make people as a whole better. Instead of getting each other the “tokens” of friendship, love and appreciation that we call gifts, why can’t we try something different? The holiday season is supposed to be about love and caring about each other. When I see “each other”, I think we all need to look at a much broader horizon to include everyone.
If we were to sit there and take some of the trinkets that we were going to buy for one another and instead of buying each other more “stuff” and donate some money or time to a good cause that would benefit the less fortunate. Instead of a physical gift, you can buy the special person a card and write a note in there telling them why you appreciate and love them and also add in that you donated this or bought this and gave it to this group or volunteered your time to benefit others in that person’s name and honor. The phrase “It’s the thought that counts” is always being stated. Let’s make it actually mean something in a deeper sense. Now you can place this card under the tree, on the tree or in someone’s stocking and think of the feeling that you would have knowing that you helped someone less fortunate and when the recipient opens the card and reads it think of the thought that they just made a difference in someone’s life that is far less fortunate than us. Also, bear in mind that there are a lot of elderly people in this country that are lonely and have needs as well. Consider contacting your local department of aging to consider possibly donating some time as well. There are programs such as Pets on Wheels, Meals on Wheel and Friendly Visitor that can sit there and put a smile on someone’s face when they are feeling down. Some only require an hour a week of your time, but that hour can be worth many more to an elder person who is lonely.
I am not suggesting that we all not buy gifts for one another, but just replace some of the money that you were going to spend on a person and direct it towards a better cause. I think we need to stop being as materialistic and looking at helping others. Also, get your children involved with it. Tell them about some of the good causes out there and make them want to help out others who have nothing.
If you appreciate what you have read thus far and think the idea and thought is worth sharing, please pass it on to your family and friends. Even if a small handful of people act upon this, think of all the positive benefit that we have done to make someone’s holiday worth spending. I have included a couple charities below I am personally going to work with this holiday season.
It really doesn’t matter which holiday you celebrate, we all can and should help others who are in more need than us.
www.childrentochildren.org – provides foster children duffel bags, a stuffed animal and a note letting them know that they are cared about. When foster children move from house to house, they take what possessions they do have and put them in a garbage bag.
www.toysfortots.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org