Season of Goodwill (Part One)
Dec 3rd, 2007 by katesaltfleet
Throughout December, I will be posting on the theme “Season of Goodwill”. Rather than ranting about how commercialised our holidays have become, I would like to focus on the many acts of kindness that take place and remind us what we’re really about as human beings.
Paying it Forward.
This post on Zen Habits, has recently rekindled my belief in Karma and paying it forward. I first came accross the concept of Paying it Forward when I was living abroad and knew no-one, and various people were kind to me in ways that I could never have paid back (giving me lifts in their car, ”adopting” me as part of the family, showing me round town etc.) at the time.
“I don’t know how to repay you for how kind you’ve been to me,” I said.
“Just pay it forward,” came the reply.
Now I’m in a position to pay forward for some of the stuff that people have done for me. It’s like putting a deposit in the bank of good karma, because you never know when you might need somebody’s help. And it feels good to know that you’re making the world a better place in some tiny way. So here is my to-do list for the next few weeks:
Give blood - I will have to wait for the next session on 3rd January but I guess this still counts as the Season of Goodwill. I do give on a semi-regular basis, but it ends up being something that gets shoved down the priority list, must do better. And I can enjoy guilt free chocolate biscuits afterwards.
Freecycle our clutter - One of the things that takes us so long to get rid of stuff is the time it takes for someone to buy it or packing it in the car to go to landfill. Freecycle works on the Pay It Forward principle, so that when someone wants rid of something you need, you can claim it and (save some cash too).
Donate to a good cause - I will donate £25 to a good cause (it’s the average I spend on most of the Christmas gifts, so it’s like buying an extra gift). This is very easy to do, although deciding on which good cause is the hardest part as there are so many deserving cases.
Spend time with family - it can be hard going to spend time with your family sometimes. Possibly this is because we concentrate on the irritating little differences we have while not appreciating each other. I’m going to get over myself and just appreciate the fact that I have a family who loves me.
Reach out to people - I have a hard time with this one. It sound silly, but I tend to assume that people are too busy or have better things to do than spend time with me. So I hold back, I don’t call them or spend time with them, even if I’d like to. I need to make the effort to connect with a couple of friends I haven’t seen in ages, who live locally, even if it’s just to meet for lunch.
Send a message of hope - This year I am taking part in the Amnesty International Greetings Card Campaign, sending a message of hope to prisoners of conscience and political prisoners.
What could you do this Christmas? As you can see, it only need to be a few modest things, but the importance is the essence, not the gesture.
Sounds like a good plan to me Kate! Your suggestions nicely capture the spirit of this season.
Hey Peter, thanks for the feedback
Great ideas! These are easily workable in most people’s lives and can make a great impact on the community as well. Great post!
Starting out small can grow into something huge (hence the basis for paying it forward). Here’s a simple thought in the spirit of connecting… why not try to make eye contact with strangers we pass on the street (at least in our own neighbourhoods). Living in a large city I find it so easy to pass by and completely ignore another human being as if he/she weren’t even there. I have found myself feeling that way so many times that I have been filled with sadness and frustration every time I’m on the street. And yet the few times I have made eye contact and cracked even the smallest of smiles I have been rewarded with a smile or hello and a warmth that inspired me to be more patient and to be kinder to those around me.
That’s true, why is one of the simplest things (a smile, or even an acknowledgement of another person) one of the most difficult or even scary. Great idea.
[...] Monday I went to give blood as I said I would do in my Season of Goodwill post before Christmas. I had planned to go the week previously, but decided not to as it was the [...]
Beautiful post, Kate.
I agree about the commercialism of most holidays and I also agree dwelling on that does no one any good. There is so much negativity in the world. . . I believe it is ALWAYS better to come from a place of positivity and gratitude.
Keep up the great writing. I’ll be sure to stay tuned!
[...] in Living: Season of Goodwill (Series) (An awesome post - author has named a number of great ways she’ll pay it [...]