REDEFINING CHARITY by T. Edwin Perry
The Holidays are a great time to remember the things that are important in our lives. It’s time to take a moment and remember things like Honor and Friendship, Peace and Understanding, and, perhaps most of all, CHARITY.
Charity is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts around anymore. After all, most of us are still stuck on the “I Gave at the Office” mentality that has been bred into us for generations. We write a check, we mail it in, and then we pat ourselves on the back for being so very charitable. After all, that’s money that we could have used towards that something special for ourselves, that gift that no one else would give to us. Maybe we could have spent that money towards a new TV, or maybe a nice handbag, or some new shoes, or…whatever! It was OUR money and we GAVE it away. (And don’t think for a minute that we’re not going to DEDUCT it on our taxes next year!)
Don’t get me wrong: those donations are very helpful, and they can go a long way towards bringing help to some nameless faceless person you will never have to encounter because you’ve essentially HIRED someone else to do it for you, but, in the end, it’s not exactly CHARITY. It’s a tax deduction, and an excuse to not think about being charitable for the rest of the year.
As a Conservative, I understand the meaning of Charity. Real CHARITY comes from the heart, not the wallet. It’s not about a tax deduction: it’s a TIME deduction. It’s a GIFT, a personal SACRIFICE, and it’s not hard to do at all.
When was the last time you stood and held a door open for someone you didn’t know? Have you ever helped a short person get something from the top shelf at the store even though you didn’t work there? When was the last time you helped an elderly person load a bundle of water bottles into their cart, or cat litter, or anything they were having a problem with? Now’s a pretty good time to do that kind of thing, because it’s the CHARITABLE thing to do.
When was the last time you waited patiently in line without huffing & puffing like the Big Bad Wolf while the person in front of you decided what they wanted to order at the deli? When was the last time you let someone with just a couple of items cut ahead of you in line at the grocery store? Have you ever bought a stranger standing behind you at the Starbucks a cup of coffee just to be nice? Now’s a pretty good time to do that kind of thing, because it’s the CHARITABLE thing to do.
When was the last time you didn’t lean into your car horn the very second that the car ahead of you didn’t take off like a racecar at the stoplight? Have you ever let a car merge ahead of you in heavy traffic without making them wait until the last possible second? Have you ever offered your neighbor a ride to the store instead of just watching them walk there? Now’s a pretty good time to do that kind of thing, because it’s the CHARITABLE thing to do.
Have you ever secretly shoveled your neighbor’s walkway after a heavy snow BEFORE they even woke up? Have you ever volunteered at a soup kitchen or shelter without being on “Court Ordered” community service? Have you ever just smiled and said “Good Morning” to someone you pass on the street? Now’s a pretty good time to do that kind of thing, because it’s the CHARITABLE THING TO DO.
Being charitable means setting a good example, because there are CHILDREN watching you, and they will learn how to act as adults by WATCHING YOU…even if they’re not YOUR CHILDREN. Is it really any surprise how little RESPECT kids give to one another as they get older when all they see are people sniping and growling at one another? Being charitable in how you treat one another provides a good example for them to follow. Sure, it would be best if we could set this example year round, but shouldn’t we at least make the extra effort during the holidays?
It comes down to the simple fact that Charity…REAL CHARITY…has to be Personal, it must be a sacrifice, and it should be anonymous. It’s not about getting some reward or acknowledgement for doing the right thing; it’s about DOING THE RIGHT THING! So as we approach the holidays, I urge you to do just that: the RIGHT thing. So be charitable to one another, and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
This is so true…….like pay it forward. I always let cars in front of me on the highway, even when they are trying to jump ahead of me. I hope that everyone takes this to heart & makes a little time for others.