At Christmas especially, I am always aware of how lucky I am. When my family has so much - a roof over our heads, appropriate clothing for the weather, plenty of food in the cupboards and love and affection it makes me think of those less fortunate.
Generally, we are lucky on the whole in the Western world. Our countries may not be perfect, certainly, there is still poverty and there is homelessness, and health care may not be free in some countries, like the US, but we can access clean water, we don't have to worry about drought and hunger generally or affording a basic level of education.
Because I feel so lucky, every so often, I like to 'pay it forward'. The 'pay it forward' concept means doing a good deed for someone as you have had a good deed done for you. A random act of kindness so to speak.
Once upon a time when my son was small I was going through a divorce and a rough time. One day, just before Christmas, I had a knock on my door. A lovely hamper of goodies appeared on my doorstep and a note from the Christian playgroup he attended. They knew we were going through a difficult time and gave us a gift which really helped. The playgroup was an excellent playgroup and helped my son so much, that is why I picked it, not because of the Christian ethos. Actually, I am not a religious person really but this concept, of 'pay it forward', isn't about religion, it's about caring for other people, about making them smile, about giving them a treat and about providing them with something unexpected, and/ or providing them with something that is really needed.
Since then I have tried to pay it forward by doing a random act of kindness now and again. So this Christmas why don't you start your own 'pay it forward'? Instead of buying an advent calendar, why not donate something to the local food bank, instead of giving an expensive gift to your husband, give a smaller gift and make a regular donation in his name to Oxfam. Even something small like leaving enough cash to buy a coffee for the person behind you in a cafe queue can really brighten someone's day.
Let me know, have you ever paid kindness forward?
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