Joh Blogs

Thinking about Christmas and how I would like to do it this year, this song goes through my head. I also love ‘Bloody Well Right’.

Christmas is about giving and with all this economic downturn talk that we are hearing about, there is more than one thing that can be given. I haven’t been ‘shopping’ as such this year. I have been thinking about each person in my life that I love and what is best to give. I am trying to spend good time with the people I love since I haven’t gone away this pre- Christmas season. I usually go away to avoid the whole Christmas thing. So whilst I will buy some actual presents, I am also trying to be present. To give my time, care and love in real ways as well as physical gifts.

I have realised, finally, that some people I love would prefer to receive nothing. I read something once: Too guilty to recieve, too resentful to give. It applies to some people. I have always thought that generosity is always a good thing, but there are some that find it embarrassing or makes them feel awkward. I need to recognise and allow that. The aim is to expand love and goodwill, not to create a feeling of discomfort.

I have been quite emotional about world poverty this year. I watched ‘The Girl in the Cafe’ on the ABC on Sunday night and that kind of kick started it for me. When I read/watched on The Fischbowl blog: World on Fire today I just had to wizz over to Kiva and lend some paypal earnings. I cried. I remember when I was youth worker, I cried all the time during this season because I knew those kids I worked with would never get what they wanted for Christmas. The other place for lazy people like myself to make a contribution to world povery is Global Giving.

My kids and I usually go to the shopping centre and find a card on the Salvo’s Xmas tree to buy a gift for. I like to find one of a nana because since mine have died, I like to give to someones grandmother. My kids usually pick out some kid their age. My dad kick started this tradition when he recognised he already had enough. He gave my kids some money and for his gift from them, he wanted them to shop for someone else. My parents have been very generous and get so much pleasure from giving all year round that it has been contagious. I must admit, I am more focussed on what to give than what I want. I already have everything I want.

The other thing that I feel is important to give is gratitude. When you give someone a gift, there is nothing more rewarding than their expression of joy at receiving. That is where the pleasure lies in giving, the anticipation that someone will get joy or happiness from it. If you have nothing to give – be grateful for what you have received. That will be everything to the giver.

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
- Winston Churchill

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