Listening to another story about Bernie Madoff last night, I started wondering how a person could be so greedy. He stole billions of dollars from his investors, and now sits in jail for the rest of his thieving life. How many billions would he have needed for it to be "enough?" Or do people like him never have enough?
On the other side of the coin, there is a woman on the anysoldier.com forum who, like Bernie, is in her 70s. Unlike Bernie, who lived high on the hog in his penthouse apartment, she and her husband subsist on Social Security payments. Any extra money they have each month goes for sending packages to the troops.
Why is someone who has everything so unbelievably selfish, while someone with very little is remarkably generous? I don't know the answer to that, but I believe that most people do want to help others. The holidays are once again around the corner, and there are so many people in this country who will be dreading them. Lost jobs, no health insurance, family members in Iraq and Afghanistan, no home to go to at night. It is sobering to recognize that "there, but for the grace of God, go I." So what can those of us blessed with much do for those not as lucky this year?
Every community has various programs for giving, both during the holidays and all year round. Food pantries, homeless shelters, animal shelters, clothing drives, and Toys for Tots are just a few examples of places to donate. Not all gifts have to be monetary; you can volunteer with the disabled, make cookies for a military family, shovel an elderly neighbor's sidewalk, visit a nursing home, donate blood--the possibilities are infinite. Watch your local news sources for projects and programs going on in your area over the next couple months.
You all know that my number one cause is sending packages to the troops. What better way to thank them for their service when they are so far from home and family during the holidays? It's also a wonderful way for kids to learn appreciation for those who serve our country and experience the happiness that comes from giving to others.
Maybe old Bernie never felt the joy of giving something to a stranger without expecting anything in return. Maybe like the Grinch, his heart is three sizes too small. Most of us will never be billionaires, but we can still feel rich. Just give.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
One of your best!!!
Fred
Thanks for the reminder! I've convinced our office to skip a gift exchange and sponsor not one, but 3 families, from the local Salvation Army this year. I wish I could get them to skip a holiday dinner gathering and we all donate our time and the meal, too, but maybe I'll push for that next year! Lately my heart has felt at least one size too small, so I'm working on some soldier boxes again, too! Keep up your good work-I've always admired and looked up your kind-the living, breathing, walking, talking, and CARING angels that live among us. :)
As for "how much is enough!" You have to understand that it's not the dollars themselves. They are simply the scorecard that measures their success; the scorecard! If the Sultan of Bernei has X dollars, they want to beat that number. I've meant people with this attitude and it's amazing how they view money. It's not yo and me.
Post a Comment