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I'm going to be very honest with you all (I feel like we can do that here in the Times) . . . I wouldn't consider myself the most "giving" person. I'm actually kind of selfish. I know what I want, and I usually get it. I do try to be nice to others, but I wouldn't say I'm generous. That is, until now.
There's something about Christmas time that makes you want to do something good for someone else. I don't know if it is the music, the lights, or the time off work/school, but everyone seems to be in a better mood! And when you're having a good day, you usually want to make someone else's just as good.
The other day I was out shopping and running errands. I needed to return a gift I had bought for my sister's baby that I had forgotten to give to her. I took it back to the store and got a store credit for the amount I had purchased. But then I got an idea. Instead of putting that store credit back in my wallet or spending it on myself, I turned around and gave it to the woman in line behind me. I just handed it to her and said, "Merry Christmas!" She was shocked. She said, "Are you sure?" I said, "Yes, please take it. Merry Christmas!"
I walked out of the store feeling the happiest I had felt in days. It wasn't a lot of money, but I didn't need it. And the woman looked like she had quite the amount of gifts in her arms, so if I made her day just a bit better, I hope she turned around and did the same for someone else. Now I'm making it a goal to do 1 generous thing for a stranger each month. I think that will be my New Year's Resolution for 2013!
So during this Christmas season, and really any time of the year, I urge you all to pay it forward. If you can find a small way to make someone else's day better, do it! You'll also smile yourself knowing you just made the world a little happier.
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