The holidays are a time for family, eating and giving of ourselves. This has been seen all over the country by strangers paying off customer's lay away bills. The great thing about this is that there were no cameras, no recognition and no one had to ask them to do this. This is the true meaning of the holidays.
This type of behavior should not just be around the holiday time. We have too many people, honest hard working people, really struggling throughout the entire year. Some are loosing their homes, others just need basic necessities. What if this behavior caught on? Not just paying off bills but really helping our fellow neighbors in need? Charities are wonderful organizations, but I can bet that if we helped one or two people out, without the recognition, we will begin to make a difference in many people's lives.
This is the concept of paying it forward. We have all heard of this and most of us have even seen the movie. Acts of kindness does not necessarily have to involve money. It could mean shoveling neighbors driveway, dropping food off to a family in need or even giving someone down on their luck a job. Just something to help another in need.
Just think about it for a minute. If one or two people helped one or two people and they did the same, maybe we can fix some of the issues around us without help from government agencies. At my place of employment, I had received word that a local school district has many poor students. A bunch of us collected gloves, hats and scarves. It was wonderful to hear that the principal was able to tell a student, who did not even have a pair of gloves, "Come to my office, I have a pair for you". These are the things that a lot of us take for granted but they are items that many children do not have.
TV shows, like Extreme Makeover Home Edition are great shows. However, why is it that it took a TV crew to come in before others helped out? A lot of these communities knew there were families struggling. I am not, in any way, trying to talk bad about communities, but things like this can be done without the cameras and fanfare.
Here is my challenge to all of you. Find a local family, school, or even one person and do something that can help them out. It does not have to be extravagant, but something they need. Do this throughout the year. I can guarantee you that this will catch on. It will not only help someone, but make you feel really good.
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