When it comes to the season of giving nothing compares to the gratitude of having comforts in our lives. But what about those people that are less fortunate?
This holiday season I’m reminded of a story about a certain train station in England that decided it would play music over the speakers during the holidays to deter homeless people from sleeping on the benches due to the cold season. Not filled with much holiday cheer, is it?
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What was the reason for this? In my opinion, the station and police made an assumption that others didn’t want to feel uncomfortable during the holiday season. If the homeless people were out of sight, then they would be out of mind, right?
Sadly, moments like these do exist. These people were just hoping to have a place to sleep for the night and a council decided to take that away from them. Just for the comfort of others? These kinds of choices cause numbing for humanity on the whole.
The undeniable fact is that humans can give hope but can also take it away, just like that. But we can always learn from said stories above and fill up the cracks where hope has been expended.
A gift of hope eventually presented itself and counteracted this story. A few years later in 2017 another train station in England threw a party for the homeless.
This acts as a reminder that the most beautiful thing we can be giving this year is the simple gift of hope for another. This year I will be contemplating what this looks like for me. What does this look like for you?
Here’s a small list of some ways to provide hope for others this season
- Giving your time by volunteering
- Creating a handmade gift from the heart
- Donating to the less fortunate
- Shoveling snow for another person
- Celebrating family and friends achievements
The holiday season represents many different things for different people. For some the holidays are rough, especially for those that have been displaced. At the risk of sounding very cliche, I feel very fortunate to have a roof over my head, warmth, and food in my belly.
At the risk of sounding very cliche, I feel very fortunate to have a roof over my head, warmth, and food in my belly.
We live in a fast paced, get what you want and get it now society. This year I’ll be taking the time out to celebrate those around me with gifts of appreciation and giving of myself. Gratitude and enrichment are on my Christmas list this year!
What’s on your list this year?
I’d like to take the time in this blog to push out some waves of appreciation for those that have helped the less fortunate during this time of year. Having compassion for people we don’t know is a big creation of hope for humanity on the whole. (Which is something our world needs more of if you ask me.)
Happy holidays and I hope everyone finds their soul-renity in between a glass of eggnog or two.
