Real Talk: I Live In A Time Where Swiping Credit Cards On Gifts, Has Stolen Christmas
Every gift you bought for someone has a price tag, it's the deal-breaker in choosing gifts for each person. You determine if they are worth it; the value of happiness is weighed right there in the aisle. Deep consideration goes into what you choose and how it is presented. But let's face facts, it's all a bunch of stuff. Overpriced and easily forgotten things that won't matter next season. Don't get me wrong a $100 gift card to Sephora has been scientifically proven to lift one's spirit, but beauty fades. The shelf life of materialistic happiness is short-lived and also very painful to your pockets. So, what can't be bought but still delivers the warm fuzzies? Donating your time. There’s no physical price tag on your minutes in life. You can't pay for time back. ( I would be asking for a lot of refunds) Taking the time to just be present and connect is why the Christmas lights glisten. Loving on others, and being available to help, can be rewarding to you and the person receiving it. No amount of “things” can compare to time well spent.
I took part in all the holiday mall hops, it's not a bad thing to shop for others. It's very much a sacrifice to take your hard earned money and spend it on someone else who may or may not like the gift. My winter wonder began to melt after I saw my bank account dwindle. As I began to cling to my last bit of scratch I had an inquisitive thought; what is this all for? Maybe I was high off the smoke from all credit card swipes, but I truly began to feel a sensation to dig deeper. Why is it so important for this person to have this item? Is this coffee mug a true symbol of my love and gratitude? Also, I got a tug on my heart as the holidays kicked off on Thanksgiving to donate or do something “non-profit” this year. During the giving of gifts, I know when the joy in the air grows stale. Its happiness for a hot second, but once the wrapping paper is scrunched up in a corner and the ham is carved there is a switch in the mind that says, “ok! That was fun, there's work in the morning and my account is in more red than Santa.” There's no more gingerbread cookies, just the crumbs of what use to a very warm filled moment.
Donating time to charities or nonprofits has a different ambiance to it. You have to wake up, put on clothes, drive, and then be in the spirit of servitude. Your presence is expected and it's needed for labor. You have to interact with people who have a better grip on what being grateful for anything. You have to analyze your life, reflect on your thoughts of having a bad day and redefine the phrase. It puts your woes in perspective. It’s a memory that will be shared with a person who genuinely needed a gift of your time and service, to get through the next year. I can't tell you where to spend your time, only your heart knows where those strings lie. For me, I tend to want to dedicate my time to helping the homeless at a soup kitchen. But for others it could be spending a day at a senior citizen’s home, donating to local churches, or it could be phoning your great aunt sandy and offering to take her out and spend the day with her. Whatever it is, I urge to answer that calling for time spent on those who need it. The warmth from the memory of dedicating yourself to a truly grateful soul will be something you can look back on and remember for all seasons to come.
cover image via Social News Daily
