Wake Up Calls!

Sometimes we all need to be reminded that there are some very good and caring people in this world.  We have become a society of "takers" and do little giving on an individual basis.  As you know, I spend so much of my time dealing with the political world and what it does to our society.  Little do we know just how much the political world actually changes our everyday habits and I think it's high time that we put an end to that.

The other day, I had a moment that really put a tear in my eye, and I haven't stopped thinking about it.  It may have been small gesture, but what a huge impact it had on me.  It really got me thinking about what has happened to so many of us, and the loss of community and our humanity.  We seem to ship our personal responsibilities off to our government, churches, and charities and we miss the personal touching of other human beings.  We write the check or put money in the bucket and assume they know better how to spend it.  Wow, what a loss!

I was staying in St. Louis at a good friend's house, and I stopped by the local Quiktrip to purchase some beer for them.  Being the good shopper, I checked the prices and walked to the counter with the 12 pack I selected and set it on the counter.  The checker told me the price, which was higher than I expected and I questioned him on it to make sure it was correct.  Next to me was a gentleman who interrupted and said "Sir, I work for Anheuser Busch and I would like to buy that for you.  I so appreciate you buying our products and I want to buy that for you."  I stood in astonishment and really didn't know what to say.  Of course I thanked him and even mentioned he didnt have to buy this, but he insisted.  What a very nice thing to do!  Again, this is such a little gesture but the impact was huge for me.

What it did for me was point out many important things that so many of us are missing, and one is why we cannot have our government as the safety net.  What I came up with is that there is no "personality" that comes with the giving.  There is NO character or person to thank or appreciate.  It becomes an entitlement!  Worse than that, because the giving has no "personality" that goes with it, we even make judgments that we deserve the money or gift, whether we pay in or not.  It's like having someone come in your home and steal your money, and also now your kids money, and after taking their cut, handing it out to the causes THEY desire. 

When you don't even get a chance to experience of directly helping another human being, then it is a huge loss for you and the recipient.  I say that in simply writing a check to churches or charities, you still lose that personal touch and connection.  I'm not saying we should stop giving to churches and charities, but it cannot be the only thing we do.  We all need to adopt a person or family to help because we deserve and really do need to experience and enjoy the personal feeling of giving to another.  We can help them with their lives unlike the government could ever do, as they have shown time afer time.  Even if we don't have much, it is an amazing feeling to give something to someone and to see that smile of appreciation.  

We are losing those very special feelings that enrich our lives, and are imperative to survive as the nation we started out to be.  We need so much to regroup and learn to give and really appreciate what we receive from the givers.  Both are very important qualities that we are losing as Americans.  It is important that we understand and experience giving and receiving and not just one or the other.

Make this Christmas very special.  Search for someone needy and surprise them.  You will make their day, but just as importantly, you will make your day even more.  Next year, let's concentrate on stopping our politicians from stealing our money and handing it out to whomever and whatever THEY decide. We deserve that feeling of giving and they are stealing that from us too. 

Merry Christmas to everyone.  Stay strong and do something special for someone!  You will love what you have been missing!  It really is an awesome gift to give and a wonderful gift to receive.  We all need both!

Super Dave