By Nicholas Proch
After we’ve recovered from the eating coma that is known as Thanksgiving, most of us will go back to our normal lives. For most Americans, the holiday season includes traveling near and far to be with loved ones and sharing some special moments. We are told to be thankful to have what we possess on these holidays, but it should transcend beyond a day filled with turkey and football.
The true spirit of the season should be about giving and caring, no matter what day it is. We often forget to do so in our hectic day to day lives. Going to class, rushing to get to work and going home to try and find enough time to relax is challenging in itself, and that doesn’t include any time to think of your neighbors or the less fortunate.
While you’re trying to find time to watch your favorite television program at the end of the night, think about what someone several blocks away might be doing on the main street of your town. There is bound to be someone searching for a place to spend the night and on an endless quest to find the source of their next meal. Picking through the trash, begging others for spare change and settling in under a store overhang for the night don’t sound like the American dream at all.
This country was founded upon the fact that we must all work together to make this land a better place. Simply ignoring those who are less fortunate doesn’t help anyone. Many of us like to think of ourselves as philanthropists or caring individuals who would help a stranger in need, but how true is this?
How many of us have turned a blind eye to the homeless person walking down the street because they don’t want to interact with that person. Of course, I’m not telling you that interacting with every person walking down the street is a good idea. On the contrary, this could probably get you in some dangerous situations if you do.
However, if you really want to help this holiday season and stop living behind the veil of a false sense of communal accomplishment, look at what you are actually doing. Have you given money or time to a homeless shelter? Have you served meals at a soup kitchen? Do you ever donate old clothing or other supplies to Goodwill or the Salvation Army? Odds are that most of you can answer no to all of these questions.
Why is it this way? The vast majority of us like to think of ourselves as good citizens and above average individuals, but yet we can’t give our time to anyone outside of our immediate group of friends and family. Donating your time to help a stranger will have just as much meaning to you, even if you never see that person again. No, we’ll never get that deed repaid to us or we won’t hear the countless amounts of personal gratuities which we like to hear. This isn’t what giving your time is all about.
This holiday season while you’re sitting by your Christmas tree, lighting your Menorah or enjoying whatever holiday you might celebrate, think about what this time would be like if you didn’t have a home or the things that come with that. As we head in to December and January the temperature will plummet into the teens.
It goes without saying that if you were outside in this weather, you’d be freezing. The smallest token of charity would mean the world to you. Help that person as if you were helping someone you loved. After the holiday season, keep giving your time, it can go a long way. After all, some day you could be in that situation and the favor might be need to be returned.