December 30, 2004 Issue

‘Tis the season is sadly just a phrase, rather than a constant state of mind. This time of year is filled with holiday thoughts and plans for celebrating with friends and family.

During the holiday season, service people are friendlier and more helpful than ever and even I’m not so cynical as to think it is only thus in the hope that wallets open wider for increased tips. Likewise, store clerks—even those not on commission—are eager to help the harried shopper, but not nearly as eager in February.

For a great many, this time of years also brings out the altruist. While primary thoughts may be on what to give and what you might be desirous of receiving; thoughts of what others may lack is also thrust into the conscious forefront.

My question is this: Why must good service, and a good work ethic be confined to a season? Why can’t people greet every day in joyous thanks of what they have and plan to spend the day making things easier for all they encounter? Vow to do the best job they are capable of doing, to do no harm, to smile more than they frown and perhaps, even more importantly, try not to be the cause of another’s frown. Why is such a philosophy confined to only a few weeks a year?

I suppose if I could answer my own questions, or even embody the philosophy every single day, I’d have a self-help, life-affirming, bestselling book fattening my bank account, instead of querying in an essay.

These particular musings were brought about by a personal dilemma. Some months ago I proposed to the people with whom I normally exchange gifts that this should be the year of the homemade gift. This means the money I would usually dedicate to purchasing “things” can now be re-directed to people or organizations whose needs are greater than those of my friends and family. It’s also really a lot of fun to think of gifts you can create for those you know really well—and then do it. At least it’s been that way for me.

As luck would have it, yeah…right… my mailbox has been stuffed with entreaties from many worthy causes. I was able to give some money to a couple of local organizations and I may well wind up giving the remainder of my dedicated funds locally too. I’m one of those giving small sums to several groups, rather than making the grand donation, which ain’t all that grand on my budget. The reason is simple: There is no way to give a sum of money to a national organization, take the tax receipt that comes with a donation and remain a non-entity to that group.

Local non-profits take your donation, thank you very much, give you receipt and then leave you alone. No selling of the donor list. No 500 address labels in your mailbox, along with another donation envelope; no monthly letter asking you to please dig a little deeper for this worthy cause. It aggravates me to no end the amount of money spent trying to get more money, when the money spent on yet another donation campaign could be rightly used to give service and aid to those in need.

You will receive these letters even if you tell them this is what you can give this year and if you send me any mail you will never, ever get any additional funds from me. Doesn’t work for them, but it works for me. I will never again send any sum if I have requested that I be left alone until I am ready to give again and my request is not honored.

Does that make me a grinch or a person of my word? I’m not sure, but I do know I’m in a better position to know the amount of money I can donate. When money is simply wasted on trying to get more, nobody wins.

Happy New Year.

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