It's the "season of giving," and we all know what that means: time to shop till you drop as well as help those in need. While its the sole purpose for some , lets not lose sight of what the true meaning of this season is, or if it should even be called a ‘’season’’ .
And don’t get me wrong, I love this time of year even (with it being more overwhelming each year) I really think it brings out the best in people but it’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of buying from companies who are always influencing us to buy their products.
But let’s not forget what the spirit of giving really means.
Here are some food for thought
Giving is more that just giving
Material items are wonderful and who doesn't love a gift, but nothing beats kindness and love. Sometimes the only thing people require is s chat, some compassion and time.
Be mindful of others’ circumstances
This time of year can be especially difficult for those who have lost a loved one, are estranged from their family, single parent families, struggle financially or do not have a home to go to.
Be sensitive to others by showing kindness. This could be something as simple as listening to someone's needs, calling a long last relative or friend, inviting someone over for a cup of tea. There are many ways to show kindness.
Pay it forward
You get what you give and like there is no better feeling in the world than watching someone be taken by your kindness. Simply put, what you give out to world will come back to you in a multitude of ways.
Whatever your idea of giving is, it's good to realise that there are other ways to share in the festive season with others. Any time of the year can be meaningful and incredibly beautiful, whether it be through traditional gifts, spreading kindness and love.
Everything starts with you.