“You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. I can’t take it with me and neither can you. It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with what you have.”
This is from Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington’s video sensation “Share Your Gift.” It has over 10.3 million views on Goalcast.com and is an incredibly motivating speech.
With the holiday season upon us, I was inspired by listening Denzel’s talk and the importance of literally sharing of our gifts. It is, after all, that time when we will likely spend far more than we need to on people who simply don’t need more stuff and we will receive more useless widgets as well, all in the name of consumerism. Who buys what becomes a status competition far too often at this time of the year.
I do realize not everyone is motivated by selfish means and people do put a lot of thought into their gifts. But according to a November USA Today article, more than 50 percent of those surveyed took on debt to finance their 2016 holiday spending, 24 percent spent more than they budgeted for on holiday gifts, while 27 percent admitted they never made a holiday budget at all!
In fact, 24 percent of Millennials are still paying off credit card debt from a year ago. The ideas of living within your means and sticking to a financial plan for the long haul still haven’t sunk in for some.
Why do we behave in such a financially careless manner? Because, we have become programmed to do what we have always done. Do you really need another widget? Does the person you are purchasing for really need more stuff?
I would like to suggest that you give serious consideration to an “alternative” holiday gift or donation to a charity or cause that is meaningful to you. Regardless of your religious affiliation the idea is the same. While the actual Alternative Christmas Fair held at the University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College has passed for this year, it’s not too late to act on the opportunity to help others in need.
The challenge I have for you is create experiences for others less fortunate than you. If you can do it locally, that’s even better. But do it for someone, somewhere, and do it this year. There is still time. You can see a list of charity organizations that were involved in the Alternative Christmas Fair by visiting Karen Walker’s article here.
It really doesn’t matter who you give to or what local family you may be able to assist — just make it a priority. Do something special for a young person in need or a young couple just trying to get started. Perhaps reach out to a returning adult learner who was downsized and help support their family. It is not hard to find people in Centre County in need. Get on the web and make it a family challenge to come up with a new way of sharing your joy with others.
The holidays are a great time to make a difference. The feeling you get when you give selflessly of your time and/or money will not only bring joy to others but will bring warmth to your own soul as well. For parents of young children, talk about an opportunity to set a great example for your own kids.
Perhaps in your own life you can remember a time when you received a token gift that ends up in the white elephant pile the following year. It’s not that you don’t appreciate the thought or the effort put into the gift. Make it easy on Aunt Betty or Grandpa John and tell them to give a gift to a charity of their choosing in your name instead.
So will you take the lead in your family or among your friends and promote the idea? In the future will you suggest to either set a limit on the cost of gifts exchanged, or the number of gifts given, and use that money to make a donation to a cause of your choosing instead?
Our good friends of 30 years, Ray and Bobbi Lombra, made that suggestion to us this holiday season. Instead of exchanging gifts we are making a donation to a local charity in the other couple’s name. Now there’s a synergistic ‘feel good’ all the way around.
I like to get gifts as much as the next person but I know I can get by with less especially if I know it’s helping others in need. Besides, it’s a few less packages we will have to cram into the car when visiting family.
As Denzel Washington said, “You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.” It’s not too late to make a difference at the Holiday’s for those less fortunate than you.
Happy holidays and safe travels no matter where you celebrate the season!
