Christmas
One of the things I love about this time of year is the way people treat each other. There is a genuine uptick in cheerfulness, courtesy, and a pervading good will towards men kind of attitude during this season.
I believe we all find this atmosphere a breath of fresh air and look forward to this season with a longing to bask in it. I do wonder sometimes why we restrict kindness and concern for our fellow creatures to a mere 30 to 45 days out of the year. It seems after gleaning the ample benefits of living at least partially selflessly, it would create a desire for us to work that out for a full year. Imagine that!
One of the easiest ways to lessen our own anxiety and worries is to invest in another person’s life and the problems they are facing. By doing so, our own woes seem to become lighter, while we are simultaneously helping another carry the burdens they are laden with. I think that is what we see happening around Christmas, and even if it is only superficial, it is making an impact.
“Investing in others,” even the phrase sounds like there are dividends waiting for those who contribute their time, and resources, and pour themselves however briefly, into the life of another. The royalties one receives are invaluable. There is also something magical about helping another, and I think we all need that sort of enchantment. As I reflect on these words it seems I am emphasizing that which we receive from our selfless actions, which is actually selfish in retrospect. But, if we need to focus on the rewards initially to get us moving, so be it; we humans are after all selfish by nature. However, even with our faults, we can also be amazingly noble creatures. What I have found is that in those times when I have given little forethought and merely acted upon the impulse to assist my fellow man, it is in these moments when the nature that I truly aspire to lay hold of becomes evident, in fact, shines as refulgently as the sun. Of course, I only notice much later, and I am grateful for that, and I think this is by design. God knows how prideful I can be, and the last thing I need is self adoration to creep in and ruin the whole affair.
The investment we make in another can be as small or as large as we feel led to make. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone else. Or, maybe just inquiring about how a total stranger’s day is going, and truly listening when that stranger responds. Sometimes just being an ear for someone lifts enough of the load so they can breathe again. How about smiling, even if you don’t want to? The act of smiling lifts people’s spirits, as well as your own. Try just simply laughing. Yes, those witnessing seemingly incongruous laughter will likely think you have a screw loose, but there is nothing quite as contagious as laughter; it truly is “like a medicine.” “Paying it forward” is another great way to lift someone’s spirits. As you prepare to pay for your own coffee or meal at the drive-thru, pay for the order of the person behind you too. You will find that this is as catching as laughter.
Here is a bit riskier act of investing in another. Should you find someone seated alone in a restaurant, ask to purchase their meal and dine with them. Invest a bit of time listening to them. There are countless people who are lonely and without anyone to spend Christmas with. That time with you could bring some much needed joy into their life, at the cost of a meal and a little of your time.
Could it be that selflessness is like any other skill, and it must be practiced often in order for us to become proficient at it? Maybe if we exercised this potential attribute, it really could become like Christmas year-round.
I challenge each of us to be noble, to invest ourselves in another during this season, in fact, that we do so at every opportunity. I would love to hear about your experiences. Curtis
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