I Resolve!!!!

To not wait until the absolute LAST second to buy Christmas presents this year. Every year I think to myself, "Not this year! I will NOT be shopping on Christmas Eve (or anytime during the week prior)!" And, every year, I am mistaken.

It's not that I don't like giving presents. On the contrary, I quite like seeing the reactions of the people closest to me when I watch them open their gifts. What I don't like, however, is the rush of people during the holiday season.

Look around this year when you're out getting gifts for your friends and family. People look agitated. This is not the look of the Christmas spirit (or Hanukah, if you prefer). And the fights! Between grown adults! A couple of years ago, there was a stampede at a toy store. A toy store! Trust me, people. Your kid will NOT keel over and die if you don't him/her the talking/tickle me/dancing/possessed Elmo doll this year! That toy was creepy, if you ask me....

I prefer a more leisurely shopping experience. I want to look at the lights, listen to the music, and take my time. I don't want to fight with you over the last pair of cashmere gloves. I, also, do not want to spend YEARS in line. Time is money, after all. And my time is valuable to me, as I'm certain yours is to you.

We've lost sight of what's important in life. It's not about who's got the best car or the coolest outfit or the latest gadget. It's our family, friends, health and life. There are soooo many people in the world that don't even have a CLUE where their next meal will come from. There are people who go to bed at night and aren't sure that they will wake up in the morning because of diseases carried by mosquitos. There are people who don't have a good, sturdy roof over their head. If you're reading this, that means that you (at a minimum) have access to a library. A library! Filled with books that can teach you nearly ANYTHING you'd ever want to know! You could learn a whole new skill and not even have to pay for it!

This year, I am going to pour over the catolog that World Vision puts out each year. I'm going to find 5 different gifts that I can send to someone who is less fortunate than I am. I have a job. I'm not starving. My house has heating AND air-conditioning. I have a car. I can purchase gasoline for that car. So many people out there would give their right arm to be in my shoes. And yet, I'm still ungrateful at times.

Won't you consider giving something to someone whose life might depend on it?

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/give-a-gift-change-a-life?open?open&campaign=1193519&cmp=KNC-1193519&gccode=animals