Introspective

By Thomas F. O'Neill

The yuletide season is once again upon us, with all the hustle and bustle of the mad shoppers. I, for one, didn't participate in the frenzy of Black Friday as millions did in America, and I never will.

I am one of those people who enjoy sharing and giving thanks to the special people in my life. That truly makes this time of year special for me.

I surely have plenty to be thankful for because throughout my life, people have gone out of their way to be kind to me, and I like to remind people that when you care for others, you are cared for, and when you love others, you are loved. This special season of giving should reveal our love for one another through kindness because loving kindness gives this special season its true meaning.

There was a time, though, when I felt the season of giving was simply a common courtesy in order to receive and provide our significant others with material gifts.

I now understand more clearly that this special season is for heartfelt acts of gratitude for having people in our lives. When keeping the true spirit of giving close to our heart, it enables us to give from the heart all year-round.

The yuletide season should be a time when our love comes to call because that love gives this time of year its true meaning.

I have found over the years, though, that it's not the material gifts that count in life but rather the unrecognized, undetected, and unremembered acts of loving kindness that are our greatest gifts and achievements in life.

If we truly want to see a world of loving and joyous people, we must be loving and joyous toward the people in our own lives. That potential is part of our humanity. When we reach out and touch others, we touch part of the humanity that is within us. When we enhance the life of another in need, we, in turn, enhance our own lives.

Objects gift-wrapped in shiny paper can be forgotten over time, but kindness whispered to those in need will echo endlessly throughout the community. Those small acts of kindness resonate with the giver and the receiver because they are gifts from the heart. Such priceless gifts can never be measured monetarily, though, because how can you put a price on love?

From my heart to yours, I would like to wish all of you a very merry and joyous holiday season.

Always with love,

Thomas F O'Neill

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