Christmas, the time to be celebrating with loved ones. Cheesy movies on TV, abundance of kilojoules in the kitchen, never enough eggnog. Surrounded by those near and dear. But equally the most stressful time of the year.
Another year has flown by and the ideals that we set last silly season may not have been achieved yet again. A date on the calendar does not miraculously solve our relationship woes, insecurities, financial pressures and the like. But the miracle of the season allows us to bury these deep inside for twenty four hours of indulgence. The physical pain in the mind and soul is temporarily replaced with the looks of wonder and delight on kids faces whilst opening gifts, the frustration of assembling these complicated gifts, and the satisfaction when the gift actually works!
Annually, our local Rotary International club undertakes the Tree of Joy project, enlisting public support to buy or sponsor a gift for individuals in frail care centres, children's homes and more. Sometimes these gifts are the only presents these people receive throughout the year. Heartbreakingly their simple requests for snacks or an item of clothing is something we constantly take for granted. The immense joy they emit when they open their gifts has the power to render me humbled every time. So how can we harness some of this Christmas delight to be used to feed our souls throughout the year? Years of experience tells me that it isn't the actual gift that produces this response, but the act of giving itself. It's about the selfless process of consideration from the time of purchase right up to parting with the object. The replacement of my needs with the satisfaction of providing for the needs of others. Giving of time as well as a small amount of money is an enormously therapeutic experience. It is the epitome of what the Christmas message should be.
Why don't we make a concerted effort before next Christmas to carry out this mood-boosting exercise on no particular occasion for no particular reason other than helping your soul and the recipient's? Challenge accepted?
No comments:
Post a Comment