Mindfulness

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Holidays are paradoxically a curse and a celebration. Just look around the next time you are out and close to where people mill about. When you go food shopping at your local store, listen to the bell being rung near the doorway.  It is asking for your love-gift of small and large amounts; you are aware that the funds raised by that lowly, yet committed bell ringer goes to an organized collection entity which passes on material gifts to those who do not have means to purchase presents for loved ones. You make a choice to acknowledge or ignore the bell.  In a different setting, out in the open shopping areas, public restaurants and parks, you could not miss children accompanied by their parents who lovingly pamper them with affection or lavish them with food they oftentimes reject, waste or throw away. Close by, raggedly clothed children cry of hunger or physical pain while their equally tattered adult companions or family scrounge for leftover food in garbage receptacles. You would not miss their like-acquaintances or friends who lay their tired bodies on lowly benches and cemented cold floors.  You, who have more than enough to spend on whims and caprices of your loved ones, have the choice to shut your eyes, zip-up your pockets or share your resources with the hapless souls. You either positively or negatively mind the need you witness right there and then. You could choose to visit the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and to put smiles on wearied faces. You could also selfishly disregard the need you sense around and let pain, loneliness, bitterness go unnoticed these holy, gift-giving holidays!  You have choices to make.  Are you going to make the compassionate or indifferent choice?