From Arlo Guthree via Donna’s blog here
"If the world was perfect...
if everybody had money, nobody was homeless, nobody got sick, everything was
wonderful, everybody was smart and happy all the time... you'd have to go a
long way out of your way to make a difference in this world. You'd have to
do a lot to improve the way it was. But in a world that sucks like this
one, you don't have to do very much at all! There was never a time in the
history of the world where you could do so little and get so much done!
You could do more with a smile, just hold somebody, say hello to
somebody, or just feel good all by yourself when you don't FEEL like feeling
good!"
Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, I try to follow the path of
making a difference in someone’s life in a small way. Just say a few kind words, give an unexpected
compliment, or a small gift.
At work, I have always viewed the small gifts exchanged within our very
small group as a waste of time and money.
Maybe it is the thought that counts, but in this instance, often nothing
else does. Most all in our group would,
if they wanted or needed any item that cost less than $20, have already made
that purchase. Certainly, they all have
plenty of resources to purchase any food item they want, and much more than
they need. Because the excess and waste
of ‘Christmas giving’ has long upset me, I have declined to participate in our
office gift exchange for a decade or more.
For a time, I bought small $1 gifts for each individual in our group,
but this left me feeling disingenuous.
A few years past, I started taking my work Christmas budget money and
giving the entire dollar amount to one individual of my choice. The last two years, I have chosen young
mothers with children as the recipient. This
year, I am choosing from a different category. A work acquaintance, not a friend as I do not
have actual work friends, borrowed $10 from me a couple of months ago, saying
they would repay me in a couple of weeks.
After about a month had gone by, she came to me visibly embarrassed, about
not repaying this money and promising the money in a week or two. I tried to
reassure her there was no need to worry about repayment.
This woman is approaching retirement age. She always looks bedraggled, haggard, and perpetually
worried. This Christmas, she will receive
a card with my office gift money enclosed.
And in return, I get to feel good about my one small difference in our
world.
Make a difference where you are.
