Fri, Dec 25, 2015 at 6:30PM

Hardy Smith, Nonprofit Consultant & Speaker

Tired and with a negative attitude setting in, I walked up the dark sidewalk to yet another house in a part of town I wasn’t very familiar with.

My once positive thoughts about volunteering to deliver toys and food on Christmas Eve were shifting to negative.

So far, very few had offered a thank you, and I was feeling somewhat unappreciated.

As the front door opened and I stepped inside with the last delivery on my list, I was glad my task was nearly done and I would soon be on my way home.

“Daddy! Is this Santa Claus?” yelled two small blond high-energy boys with glee.  Immediately, my mood was transformed back into one much more in tune with the true Christmas spirit.

That night, I was Santa Claus to the families on my Talladega Jaycee Christmas for Kids list.  But I also received a special gift myself.

My gift was the reminder of what Christmas is really about:  Sharing, giving, and loving.  I realized that it isn’t about my feelings.  It’s about my helping someone else feel good.

I also learned that sometimes in the business of doing good, it can be easy to get cynical. You won’t always get an acknowledgement of your efforts.

During the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year, should you feel negativity creeping in as you take your time to help others, remember that it’s not about you. It’s about the people who are benefiting from the good deeds you are performing.

Know that while people may not express appreciation as openly as those two young boys, your actions are appreciated and your efforts are making a difference in people’s lives.

Thank You for what you do and Happy Holidays!


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