A Little Holiday Spirit
No, not another silly game.
I’ve been reading a lot of blogs lately. Okay, probably too many and in too much detail, but, still, I’ve seen a pattern emerge. Folks are sure depressed this time of year. Mostly, I’m not, though. Sure, I’ve got mounds of debt, no hope for promotion or salary increase in my current job, I’m single and a little lonely, I miss my step-daughter who won’t talk to me because of lies told to her by her mother, I just had a roommate move in after swearing never to do that again after college, I’d like to lose a couple pounds and I can’t afford to go see my family at Christmas. But, it’s still okay. My life is in a state of change, as is everyone’s. Right now, the universe is roughing off a part of my life that, well, isn’t working well. Not sure what part that is, yet, but that’s what’s been going on for the past year.
So, I’m happy. Why? Well, let’s count the blessings, eh? I have a job that lets me pay my bills. I have my house and my dog. My dog still loves me. I have a good roommate and the extra rent doesn’t hurt. I have no major maladies, physical, mental or emotional. I have family who, despite the stupid things I’ve done and said over the years, still loves me very much. And, frankly, as crazy as it is this year and as dark as things seem sometimes, my life is still better than it was last year at this time.
Hey, there are homeless people out there who would love to have a warm place to sleep. There are guys in jail who would love to have a family to come home to when they get out. There are lots of people who can’t pay their bills at all. So, what do I have to kick about?
Right. So, how do I maintain that? Find someone to help. Simple, isn’t it? Find someone who’s worse off than you, and, yes, there’s always someone, and then help them. Doesn’t have to be big. Doesn’t even have to involve money. Just a little time spent listening can help. Or a hug to someone who needs it. Maybe a few words of encouragement that gets someone over that unbearable hump. We can all make a difference, one little smile at a time.
So, your Christmas Season Advice from your Uncle Jim? You only pass this way once, but you can leave a memory that lasts a lifetime. What kind of memory do you want to leave people? I suggest a smiling face and a kind word. Folks seem to remember that longer than the other.
If anyone needs me for anything, just leave a comment. If you want to keep it private, start the comment PRIVATE! and I’ll make sure it doesn’t post to the blog.
Advice from your Uncle Jim:
"A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world."
--John le Carre
Morning NG! I’m in complete agreement with you on this subject. I came down with really nasty virus that had me shivering for over 2 hours last night until my fever finally broke. This fever brought me a great deal of clarity and insight. I’m blessed. If I get sick, I’ve got nice warm covers to get under. My life isn’t like this. I have problems, yes, but they pale in comparison of those I could have. I could be a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan. I could be a refugee from Dafur. So, I’ll think about all the good things this year and try to help someone else, too.
Comment by PM — 12/21/2005 @ 9:44 am
It occured to me that I might not have clearly explained in the post why helping someone else works. Getting out of my own, miserable, head long enough to help someone else, puts my life and problems in perspective. Fever optional.
Comment by the Network Geek — 12/21/2005 @ 9:47 am
I loved reading your words. Reaching out to others can often have the residual effect of realizing that no matter how weak or tired or sad or worn, we are still here and we have a light inside that we can and should shine on others. I think we owe this to our fellow man, and I think we owe this to ourselves. Happiness can be found when we connect with others. It’s a lingering in a sense of purpose, which can be found when emptying your hand to fill another’s – whether that’s with time, or a smile, or simply holding open a door.
Comment by Alison — 12/21/2005 @ 10:46 am
haha, i have an uncle jim. cute. you are right. it’s always good to give back. on my way home from the airport on sunday night, the ticket taker on the train back into the city didn’t have change for my $20 bill and then never came back to take my fare, so i vowed to make a donation to something or other. thoughts? i was thinking maybe a city harvest type of thing. 🙂
Comment by amanda — 12/21/2005 @ 2:47 pm
OK, Stikboy has done his part. Had to run an pick up some Extreme switches today and passed a van stuck in the snow. There were a couple teenage kids trying to push it out, but the snow was too deep (3 cheers for winter in Michigan…). So I stopped, dumped some kitty litter around all 4 tires, and gave them a little shove with the 4×4 truck – out in a jiffy. Best part -> I never said a single word, just hopped out, pointed to the van door, did my business, then finished my trip like I wasn’t even there. Fun way to start a day.
Comment by stikboy — 12/21/2005 @ 2:59 pm
Very cool, Stikboy. Silent service. Gotta’ love it.
Amanda, when in doubt, I always like to choose between a battered woman’s shelter or a kid’s home of some kind. The first because my ex accused me, and her last two ex-husbands, of beating her and I’d like to help the people who really are battered. The second, because… Well, it’s more complicated, but when I have the money, I like to support the Masonic children’s home in Illinois.
Comment by the Network Geek — 12/21/2005 @ 3:10 pm
Well what can I say, but u r so right…I never thought about things like that,Ive kind of took alot of things for granted and never really noticed how Ive got it good….thx for helping me realize that.I would definetlly love to help spread out a lil good around 2. I hope you had a great MERRY-XMAS AND a HAPPY NEW YEAR..God bless. 🙂
Comment by Vanessa — 1/22/2006 @ 5:46 pm