The Gifts of Giving

Happy Tuesday,

Christmas is just a week away and today instead of offering shopping venues and present ideas, I would like to take a moment to discuss other ways to give and be in the Spirit of the Holiday without spending money (well maybe a little), or rampant consumerism.

I'm not even talking handmade items that you can whip up at the last minute.  I am talking about the gift of giving, giving of yourself, your time, your smile, a kind word, a helping hand.

This time of year there are lots and lots of pleas for your hard earned dollars for this or that charity, cause or fundraising event.  Instead of writing a check, why not offer your time, volunteer to serve a meal or two at a soup kitchen, offer your gently used blankets, or clothing your kids have out grown to shelters, grab an extra bag of cat or dog food when doing your own shopping and drop it off at the local animal shelter, put a toy in the Toys for Tots bin.  These are simple small acts that will be felt and appreciated in ways that you can only image.

Be kind to each other, let some one go ahead of you in line, smile just because you are capable of doing so.  People are rushed and hurried this time of year, take a moment to breath, slow down, instead of shouting at the idiot that just cut you off, focus on the song on the raido, sing at the top of your lungs, you'll feel better, and it's better for you.  Sit down and have your favorite beverage and write your friends a letter, I said a letter, not an e-mail, a letter, with pen and paper.  Remember those?  A short "I was thinking about you" note is always more than welcome and a lovely surprise.

I know in this day and age it is a risk talking to a stranger, or offering assistance, put if we all did just one little thing, one small act of kindness a day, without thinking about ourselves or what we'll possibly get out of it, the world would be a gentler, better place to inhabit.

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.