During this holiday season I wanted to write about the spirit of giving. The true spirit of giving is doing for others with no expectation of gain. It might be a gift you bought, one you made, or the gift of time or volunteering to benefit others. Giving means different things to different people and that’s how it should be. Giving is an emotion, it will increase your mental and physical well-being and make you feel happy.
So many of life’s lessons are caught, not taught. Have you inadvertently modeled the language of discontentment, or can you say you’ve modeled a heart of generosity? In your conversations around the home, and in your family prayers, help your kids “catch” positive language that reflects your family’s desire to give and help others.
I asked my grandson what Christmas meant to him, thinking he is a kid, he will say all the toys. He surprised me and said Christmas means giving to people that don’t have much. My heart was full of love knowing this nine-year-old has all the love in the world for the less fortunate. To be so young and know what the spirt of giving means is priceless.
I thought I would also ask some of my co-workers about what the spirit of giving means to them, and I was really pleased though not surprised at their responses:
April Buck, Claims Department – “Offering help whenever I can to help others less fortunate without expecting anything in return. Watching people’s faces light up when you do something nice for them. It just makes you feel so good”
Lori Bayes, Customer Service Department – “In the spirit of giving this year, please remember it is not what you get or what you are able to give, it is family. Remember that even though we cannot be together you can send a card, drop off food, or order a meal to be delivered to them. Please keep all in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season from the front-line workers to the young man or young lady bagging your groceries. This year has been hard on everyone. Let’s continue to pray that the coming year brings much-needed happiness and good health.”
David Knapp, Graphic Design – “Kahlil Gibran said, ‘There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.’ I think UCT members understand the meaning of this quote as much as anyone could. Volunteering allows one to experience the warm feeling in the heart that comes through giving material things, serving others and, more importantly, giving love and compassion to those who need it most.”
Joshua Ricker, IT Department – “The spirit of giving involves thought, time, and planning. However, there is no planning involved when putting others before yourself like we should TRY to do.”
Debbi Myers, Accounting Department – “I was always taught that the spirit of giving at Christmas time is to mark the gifts brought to the Christ child. The emphasis on that may have been lost throughout the years, yet the holiday season still inspires that giving spirit. One of the reasons I am so proud to work for UCT is that the spirit of giving is not limited to a season. It is who we are as an organization.”
Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.
I hope you have a very happy holiday season and a happy New Year!
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