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‘Tis the Season . . .of Gratitude and Giving
Twenty years ago, I decided to take personal control of my holidays. I took a deep breath to examine my priorities and to reflect on the meaning of the season. I looked around me to see endless sales and useless adult and child “toys’ made necessary by advertisers. In the flurry of buying presents, we were forgetting about the people. There is more depression, suicide, and loneliness now than at any other time of the year.
I began my quest with gratitude. No matter what conditions we face, personally or globally, I wanted to examine what we have, rather than what we don’t have. I relished in what we were able to do, instead of what we cannot do. I gave thanks for life, itself.
Next, I stopped buying presents—for everyone! Initially, this was met with much resistance. I persevered, pointing out that no one I knew really needed another shirt. Those hundreds of dollars were far better spent by giving to charities with real needs.
My holiday meals are now simple affairs with three or four dishes rather than the dozens of side dishes that my mother used to prepare. I try to invite other “orphans” to my dinner table—those without family nearby.
My greeting cards are often sent in February, March, or even April—when I have time to write something personal, and the recipient has the time to read them.
I avoid the stores at this time of year. But, if I have to go, I make it a point to be extra nice to the harried sales people who receive a lot of verbal abuse from frustrated patrons.
No frantic shopping.
No lists of cards or letters to be written and sent, or anything that has to be done.
No stress over finding the perfect gift at the perfect price.
No buying of papers, ribbons, and finding the time to secretly wrap those perfect gifts.
I have reclaimed my holiday spirit and have truly made it a “season to be jolly!”
As I do all year long, I encourage others to pay it forward with time, gifts, and money. And, whenever someone does something nice for me, I always make it a point to offer three acts of kindness to others.
When you examine your holiday lists, I would encourage you to buy a little less, and donate a little more. Non-profit organizations such as the Pay It Forward Foundation are especially short on funds this year. A small amount from a lot of people can go a long way toward funding the mini-grants we offer to schools and organizations that pay it forward.
On behalf of everyone at the Pay It Forward Foundation, we wish you a happy holiday season, and a prosperous new year!
Anna Unkovich,
PIFF Education Director
(a volunteer position)
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Click here for simple 1, 2, 3 steps to designing Pay It Forward projects in your classroom.
Click here for book excerpts.
Click here for information about our mini-grants.
click here for a file of free printable Pay It Forward cards and stickers
To watch PIFF videos, click here
A more comprehensive and detailed plan for incorporating Pay It Forward in your school...
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