Joy of Giving and Giving Away

This is the time of year to take stock, internally as well as externally. We find ourselves awash with gifts, food, and festivity from Hanukkah, thru Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus and into the New Year - the secular one anyway. (You missed Jewish New Year last September and Chinese New Year is February 14th, which is also Valentine’s Day, so take your sweetie out for some moo shoo and a sappy love story.)

But as Rudy the Reuse Reindeer reminds us, it’s time to give as good as we get. The last week of the year is a perfect time to go through the house top to bottom, clear out and give away what we don’t need and someone else can use. Kind of like a colon cleanse, but not so gross. The point is you’ll feel better and lighter as a result.

Melissa has a great idea of giving away goods to a shelter - for the homeless, for abused women and children, group home, food bank, whatever. Tip the scales a bit and let those who haven’t got, get a little. How many sweaters do you need? That jacket you never wear? Those cans of beans in the back of the cupboard? How about those old cassette and CD players now that you’re all digitized and iPody?

You’ll end up with more living space and help someone else keep living. This is the highest form of reuse and recycling - one that brings joy as a result.

One of my favorite teachers wrote:” We spend our time worrying about our physical well being and the state of our neighbor's soul. Better we should spend our time worrying about our neighbor's physical well being and the state of our own soul."

‘Tis the Season. Give your neighbor some of your physical stuff, and see how much better your soul feels as a result. Share your comments below - it may inspire others.

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