The Sands of Time

Today I'm sitting at a friend's place in Winnipeg where it is definitely looking a lot like winter. I don't live here anymore but I do make it back quite often. It turns out that despite the fact I have lived in Ontario for my last three birthdays I still have spent every one in Manitoba. I think part of it is because my birthday is so close to Christmas it's easy to be here.

December is a time a lot of people reflect on the year gone by. We also do this on the day our age changes.

I think the big take away for me this year is the more you try to be a positive influence on the people around you the better your own life will be. If you are looking for ways to make another's life a bit better every chance you get then they will enjoy your company and when they can, do the same for you.

I know this is not rocket surgery or anything fancy but we can forget this in the daily grind. There is no reason not to smile at the sales associate when you are buying a new pair of gym shorts or to hold the door one second so it doesn't close on the random person walking into the mall behind you. Yet, somehow its easy to forget. It's easy to be self absorbed and caught up in the current issue. The little things take almost no time or effort but they can make someone else's day a lot better.

So, if you are to do anything for me on my birthday, I ask you to give a little kindness to someone today. It will make their world a bit better place and who knows, it may even be me you are nice to.

The Joy of Christmas

I may have turned into a softy. At some point I seem to have discovered it is more fun to watch people I care about to open gifts from me than to get stuff on Christmas. There may be a couple of reasons for this.

One idea is, I have significant resources and can pretty much get anything I want. There are limits but I don't have to wait for Christmas and hope someone bought me what I wanted. As such, I'm not often waiting a long time for things as I go and get them as I want them.

Another idea is, I like to help people. I like to make people happy and giving gifts is a rather easy way to do that. I like how excited people get when they receive gifts, especially if they did not expect them. They don't even have to be gifts I gave. When someone is truly excited it becomes contagious and I like to get caught up in the feeling.

A third idea is, I see myself as self-sufficient. I don't like to ask for help or for things. I like to do things on my own. Giving is an activity that I really don't need any help with. As long as I can make contact with the receiver I can execute gift giving self sufficiently.

Now don't get me wrong, I do like to get gifts from people I care about. It is nice to be remembered. It is nice to be thought of. It is nice to get nice stuff. I don't turn down gifts and I am always truly appreciative when I receive them. I just don't need to receive any.

It may be true that it is better to give than to receive. I didn't properly understand that when I was young but I do now.

At some point I may have turned into a big softy but I sure like to see people get presents.