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Get the spirit - volunteer in your time

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Burnet

Christmastime is insane, isn't it?  Half the time, we're so busy running around and worrying about insignificant things (like, do I have enough gifts, have I found something for everyone, etc.) that we forget to relax and really have spirit.  What I mean by spirit is this: time and inclination to reflect on blessings of the last year; time and inclination to look enjoy the people in your life.

Every year, I swear to myself, that this year will be different.  That this year, I will only focus on things that really matter, and that I will get into the Christmas spirit.  But, to be honest, I always seem a day or two too late.

This year, the one change I have made is to volunteer time.  I always give money, donate toys, donate a few Christmas trees, etc.  But this year, just today, I also spent 3 hours helping low-income parents pick out toys for their kids.  I helped 10 or 12 parents find coats, toys, mittens, books and stocking stuffers for their babies, kids and teens.  Some people had lost their jobs, some had lost a spouse.  Whatever the case, the people were grateful to have something to give to their kids.

I know time is precious, and sometimes it seems like adding one more thing to the to do list will drive you to the brink of sanity, but this year the only thing that has really given me the Christmas spirit was spending time helping people, one on one.  And when I stop and think about it, isn't time our greatest gift of all?

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