I am one of those folks who loves all aspects of the holidays. \u00a0As I said in my last post, from the lights to the music, I am hooked. \u00a0I also honor the tradition of giving to others and take many opportunities to do so. \u00a0Pulling an angel from a tree at the grocery or at church, and then shopping for the very item someone has requested fills my heart with joy. \u00a0It’s even more fun than choosing some thing for myself. \u00a0I didn’t grow up in a wealthy family, but we could always count on a few gifts at Christmas. \u00a0Far too many children aren’t that lucky and taking care of one or two of them every Christmas makes my holiday more special.<\/p>\n
One in five children live in poverty in this country. \u00a0It’s shameful that in a country as rich as ours so many children are left to wonder where they will sleep at night or if they will have any thing to eat before going to bed. \u00a0I don’t mean for this post to be “preachy,” or political, but I am hoping to encourage any one who chooses to read it to consider making this holiday special for some one else. \u00a0It’s easy. \u00a0Outside of every grocery and on many street corners in every city throughout the country, there are bell ringers for the Salvation Army. \u00a0They provide hope for millions of families. \u00a0We can be a part of that chain. \u00a0In many stores there are large boxes marked Toys for Tots. \u00a0While buying for a member of your own family, consider buying an extra toy or sweater or book for some other child.<\/p>\n
There are so many ways to give, actually. \u00a0Giving gifts is only one of the ways. \u00a0Giving prayers counts too. \u00a0So does giving a warm smile to a person who looks like she needs one. \u00a0Giving acknowledgment to a person’s presence is a gift that is long remembered and most often gets paid forward. \u00a0That’s the real beauty of giving, I’ve discovered. \u00a0It starts a trend. \u00a0Giving begets giving. \u00a0It’s worth considering starting the trend among all the acquaintances you have. \u00a0Give something specific to one of them and see how it gets paid forward.<\/p>\n
The spirit of giving shouldn’t be confined to holidays. \u00a0It’s a mindset, I’ve discovered, one that can be cultivated if it’s not a natural inclination. \u00a0Make it a point to give the gift of something to someone every day and see how it changes you. \u00a0I can assure you your own life will change. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I am one of those folks who loves all aspects of the holidays. \u00a0As I said in my last post, from the lights to the music, I am hooked. \u00a0I also honor the tradition of giving to others and take many opportunities to do so. \u00a0Pulling an angel from a tree at the grocery or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-karens-musings","category-reflections-in-the-mirror-you-and-yourself"],"yoast_head":"\n