November 28th, 2005

Holiday Sharing, Giving and Yes... Receiving!!

Most of us get caught up in what we want for Christmas and how much we want it and the "we better get it" attitude or the whole day will be ruined. On top of thatm we let the holidays get to us; too much traffic, too many people shopping, and people being grumpy and just wanting the whole thing to be over! I don’t know how this came to be. My only guess is that throughout the years, we have become a more self-centered, self-absorbing, and just plain selfish society. There is nothing wrong with working hard and wanting something for you in return. It’s when we get fixated on that and become so obsessed with our wants that the spirit and meaning of Christmas gets lost. I love to refer to a saying of Rob’s, “In the light of eternity how much does this matter?” If you are a person doing well (meaning, you have a job, a roof over your head, food on the table, bills paid, good health, clothes, shoes, and a car that runs), then I’d say this... in the light of eternity, if you don’t get that Ipod, it doesn’t matter. Trust me, I do think it's okay to want more for yourself materially. Just don’t forget what you have, because concentrating on what you don’t have can ruin the holiday spirit.

This holiday season, if you are someone who is blessed, I encourage you to do something for someone who isn’t. Share a meal, give your time or money. The joy you will receive from this will feel like you have been given the greatest gift of all. The holidays are meant to bring joy and give joy. I was reading Oprah’s book ‘Live your Best Life’ and there’s this part in the "Living in the World" section where Oprah is sharing something from her childhood. I really believe it hits home for so many needy children. Here’s what it said...

“I’ll never forget the year I was 12 and living with my mother in Milwaukee. We were on welfare and a few days before December 25th, she announced to me and my half brother and half sister that we wouldn’t be receiving Christmas gifts. My sadness wasn’t so much about not having toys as it was about facing my classmates. What would I say when the other kids asked what I’d gotten? That Christmas, three nuns showed up at our house with a doll, fruit and games for us. I felt such a sense of relief that I’d been given something. That I wasn’t forgotten. That somebody had thought enough of me to bring me a gift.”

Now here is a woman, Oprah, who has defiantly done something with her life and enjoys the finer things in life. However she doesn’t forget the less fortunate. This holiday season won’t you do the same? Being blessed and then blessing others is all about the holidays and what makes this... "A Wonderful Life."

Got any comments on what you just read? Drop me an email.