The Spirit of Giving
Published December 23rd, 2007I thought instead of writing about a particular holiday subject that I would address a topic that is universally relevant–the spirit of giving.
If you live in North America, you can look around and certainly see a lot of stuff. In fact, there’s so much stuff that we take it for granted. The truth is that there are millions of people in the world that have far less than some of us but are just as happy, if not happier. Why do you ask? It’s all a matter of perspective.
As a young child I remember visiting my relatives in Sri Lanka. As part of our visit, my parents took us to an orphanage to bring locally bought gifts of personal and school supplies to the children. This simple act changed my life forever. I looked at those children and literally saw myself. I realized that I could just as easily been them, but I happened to be born somewhere else in the world, under different circumstances.
A few years later, in my early teens on a visit to Thailand, I had another startling revelation. When we visited Bangkok, there were children my age and younger selling themselves as prostitutes. I looked at them and realized the huge divergence in our paths. Some of those boys and girls were the same age as me but had lost their childhood and innocence, and were instead given a warped view of some of the horrible things the world had to offer–through no fault of their own.
As I grew up and developed my own beliefs and value system, I never forgot those children. I try not to take anything for granted, and am thankful for all of the wonderful things in my life. I know that money is necessary to live and can certainly make things happen, but I don’t make it the most important thing in my life. I know that money has bought many of the things in my life, but I also know in my heart that if all the things in my life were gone, the cars, the house, and that we were living in a small room together, and we still had each other, that we could be happy.
I recently watched the tail end of a TV show on happiness. They stated that initially when a big change happens like winning money, or losing a job, that there was a big change in the level of happiness, but after a period of time, the person adapted and went back to the previous level of internal happiness ( unless they had really made a change in their beliefs ). This makes sense to me, as humans, just like our animal counterparts, we have an amazing capacity to adapt to our situation.
I believe that we are all valuable, and that we are all more alike that we are different. No matter where we live in the world, we all need and want some of the same core things like food and shelter, and safety and good health for those we love. If we focus on the things that we have in common instead of being afraid of our differences, it really changes the way we live and the way we give.
This holiday season when you are out driving around, and thinking about what to give others, think about what it is you want the most in the world for them. Try thinking about giving in the sense of sharing your happiness, love, and positive energy with others rather than giving in the traditional material sense. the positive energy will return to you in ways you never expected. Take the time to do something nice for someone else either by yourself or enlisting your friends and family to share the joy.
If you’re looking for ideas:
- Call an elderly relative or friend that will be alone, and resolve to do it more often
- Help out with your family in a soup kitchen
- Be sure to say thank you to anyone that serves you
- Let someone go in line in front of you when driving or at the store
- Invite someone you know that will be alone to share a meal
- If you have any stuff that you think might help someone else out, advertise it for free either on a website, newspaper, or even put up posters in your local grocery store so that someone who really needs it can call you
- Re-establish contact with friends you’ve lost touch with–put a handwritten letter in their holiday card to give them an update
- Shovel a neighbour’s driveway
- Drop off some baking at work, school, or a business that you appreciate
- Instead of buying a material gift for kids, consider sponsoring a child, getting them a penpal, or making a donation to “adopt” a wild animal
- Find a creative way to tell your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them (I’m sure they know you do, but sometimes they need to hear it)
Just remember–it doesn’t have to cost a lot–it’s the intention that really counts. One person can always make a difference, and often inspires others to do the same. All though my family is Buddhist and observe all religions, we take the time to think about others before enjoying our holiday meal: We say thank you for the good food and the company and send out wishes to all of the children and animals out there in the world to have food, shelter, and safety this Christmas.
I wish the same to you and your family.
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