Christmas is here again and once again we are bombarded by the ads to buy this or that. "Bah, Humbug" seems to be everywhere and I see person after person simply going through th motions of Christmas and Christmas giving. What happened to us anyway? We used to be a caring and giving people simply because it was the right thing to do. A popular Christmas song asks "Where are you Christmas? Why can't I find you? Why have you gone away?" Have we become so uncaring, callus and self-centered that we are no longer able to see the wonderful opportunity that is before us? I decorate every year both inside and out. My outside decorating is my way of giving something good back to the community at large. It does help to lift the spirit of everyone who passes by and folks slow down to take a look. Folks like to talk about the decorating and a few folks do decorate, but more and more it is common to hear folks say it is "to much trouble". Are we so uncaring and into ourselves that we are unwilling to give a few hours of our time each year to help lift others spirits?

Sure, it takes me a little time to put them up and take them down, but I am constantly amazed at the number of folks who remember us fondly for our decorations so proudly and freely displayed. I get a friendly response from everyone who sees them, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. Folks seem to remember the nice feeling I helped them to have, if only for a brief period of time, often when they really need it. I have wonderful neighbors for many reasons, but the main reason is a willingness to give without expectation. I give of both at Christmas with a thoughtful gift and give of myself throughout the year. I am not a person of importance by any means and I by myself am nothing, but I do have the spirit of Christmas within my heart. And it is this spirit that attracts others and draws out the best in each of us.

Every year we as a society complain more loudly than the last, about how bad and cruel the world is becoming. We complain about how the world doesn't care anymore, yet we fail to look within ourselves. We point a finger at others and fail to see the three pointing back at us. Few of us take the time to realize that this is not something that just comes over the world without warning. It is an attitude of slow creation and development that we as a society cultivate daily within us. An attitude that originates within each of us to think more of ourselves and less of others. In an effort to help ease our collective consciousness we drop a few coins into a red kettle outside the local store and for the moment we feel better about ourselves. We might even go so far as to pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves what a good thing we have done. Yet we are not changed. We leave that place and resume our attitude of giving to get or giving not because we desire to do so, but rather because it is expected of us. We give lavish gifts in the expectation of receiving the same in return. When was the last time you gave a gift without expectation, knowing you would not receive the same in return? Is this not what Christmas is really about? We give to those we know and associate with because we know them, yet many of the ones who need and desire the love and generosity of Christmas most are the ones we do not know and probably never will.

In an effort to ease our collective consciousness we make efforts to sponge away any reference to the one who taught us what true giving is. We shackle our ability to enjoy the gift of giving through political correctness, not wishing to offend anyone. Yet we also remove from ourselves the joy of helping others learn and experience the joy of giving without expectation of a gift in return by removing the reason for the season through political correctness. Yes, it is ourselves that we truly hurt by our attitude and unwillingness to share. Christmas is not a holiday of religion, nationality or political creed. It is about an attitude and way of living. An attitude that was manifest through Jesus Christ and is reflected in many religions and cultures. It is about an attitude and way of thinking that transcends all boundaries.

A kind word or act of kindness is often all that is needed to change a persons spirit and attitude and yet, what do these things cost us in mortal terms? How does one measure their worth? Christmas affords us the rare opportunity to act a little kinder. Be a little more generous and tell the world "I still care"! Christmas affords us a chance at a new beginning. A rare opportunity to be and become the kind of person each of us desires to be deep inside us. The true meaning of Christmas is not manifest in expensive gifts lavished on those we know and love, but rather becomes manifest and evident in the generous giving to those we do not know and who can never return the act of kindness to us directly. Yet. it is often not for us to know of the spark of kindness which we may have kindled through someone we may never know. A kindness that will be passed on to others in the same manner we give it. This is what Christmas is about and what the world so hungers for.

There is enough selfish "for me" attitude in the world already. We do not need any more! This year, I extend to you the invitation to kindle a fire that can burn brightly all year long and reap rewards that you can not measure or imagine. I invite you to share with me in starting a new tradition. A tradition that has the power to infect and spread throughout the world and change lives. A spirit of giving, not to receive, but to give so that others also may know and learn of the power of loving and giving to others. An act of kindness, a gift made by hand and given in love with a word of cheer to someone in need cost but little and yet are so powerful to the soul and fabric of mankind.

Most of us know the value of investing when we receive a tangible return. But what about the intangible? When was the last time you made an investment when the return was unknown? For most never. Outdoor decorating and giving to others out of love are investments with intangeable returns. Yet a return is assured. When was the last time you received a guaranty of return on an investment? Yet there is a catch! The more you give without an expectation of return, the more you receive. I know this to be true, because my life is a living testimony of such a fact. And even if a return were not evident, I would still give because the return is indeed assured through others and by helping others, my return ultimately comes back around. And the world becomes a little nicer place because of it. In this way, do we not all benefit as a society?

This year, make an investment that assures a return and put up some decorations to bring joy into someone else's life. Give a gift of love to your neighbor and a stranger without expectation. Give a gift without expectation of a return and your return is assured. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

My Comments From: irenego1 07 Dec 2007, 5:35 am nice blog