This time of year I’m usually a great big wound-up ball of stress. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the holidays. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I always want to do more, a lot more, than I have the means to be able to do. I obsess on trying to find the perfect gift so much so that I am never able to find it. I ‘d love to buy for everyone on my “nice” list but if I did I’d surely go bankrupt. This causes me great pain…even more so when someone on the “nice” list goes way above and beyond your wildest expectations.
I don’t like that this giving spirit of the holidays, that I so desperately want to participate in, causes me such anguish. It’s time to make some adjustments.
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, my family has recently been on the receiving end of a number of acts of random kindness. (And would you believe that as I sit here at my desk typing that last sentence, I just received another one? Unbelievable, these friends and colleagues of mine are truly something special.) Being on the receiving end of so many incredibly thoughtful, charitable acts from people who are under no obligation to do so has been truly overwhelming. It has really helped to lift our spirits and get us through a difficult time.
More importantly, I see their joy when they deliver these unexpected gifts and gestures and it reminds me of the times when I’ve been on the other end. Doing something thoughtful for someone else, regardless of size or cost, is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. The feeling that you’ve done something special to help brighten someone’s day is intoxicating.
And so the adjustment that I am striving to make is to do more of this…to give the greatest gift of all, acts of random kindness. I want to do as much as I can, as often as I can, for as many people as I can. I may not be able to get to everyone by December 25th, but I’m on the lookout for opportunities to help a co-worker, friend, family member, or stranger, any chance I get.
Remember, tis the season and what better gift is there to give than the one that is not expected.