Christmas kindness

The spirit of kindness shines brightly through cities, towns and small communities all around the world this time of year. However, if we took some time to reflect, we will see it's around us all year long.

For most of the year, kindness is an act taken for granted by many. It's the little things people do for someone else, and receive absolutely nothing in return - sometimes not even an acknowledgement.

It might be someone holding a door open at the doctor's office that receives a quick thank-you as a courtesy, or it could be a compliment from a friend that one rarely responds to, but instead just nods.

Either or, one needs to take a moment to actually understand the meaning in what was said or done. Today's fast-paced society seems to have turned people inhuman in regards to the pure innocent acts of kindness that occur everyday by people - people who believe their little bit of kindness will make the world a better place.

While some see a little bit as not being whole, it's important for these people to fully grasp the concept that a lot of little pieces makes something or someone complete. One carrot, turnip and chicken in a pot does not make a pot of soup, but these three foods cut into a lot of smaller pieces feeds many.

Around this time of year, celebrating the birth of Christ with family and friends is the bringing together of the components that makes this one of the most enjoyable times of the year.

It's also a time when giving is more prominent than any other time, and more and more people are given to share, not only materialistic items, but also spiritually and with acts of kindness.

This gives each and every one of us unbelievable power - the power to change someone's life and possibly the world, just a little bit at a time.

However, it's important for each and everyone to understand it's also acceptable to receive, and it's the response to receiving that determines the overall outcome of the kindness.

It's a complete circle of giving, made of up of smaller parts that forms kindness in this world. By giving to another, we give ourselves the gift of feeling we made a difference in someone's life, and as we accept, acknowledge and appreciate the gifts of others, we give the gift that this person made a difference in our life, thus giving this person the feeling we first experienced.

Therefore, it's this acceptance and understanding of true acts of kindness that makes every day a Christmas Day, not just on Dec. 25. Remember in the upcoming year, it's important to slow things down and appreciate what is around us - that is the true meaning of giving.

From all of us at The Beacon, we hope this is your best Christmas holiday ever. Merry Christmas!