Feel Good Moment

Ill be the first to admit, I can be a pretty cheap and greedy person. I don't like spending my money, unless its on something for myself. I've lived a pretty fortunate life, I've never gone a Christmas with out getting all the gifts I wanted, and I've never gone a day with out food because I or my family couldn't afford it. I have a good job, a roof over my head, and can afford a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. Sadly, there are sooo many people in this city/state/country/world that aren't nearly as fortunate as I am. Every year when the holidays roll around, I tell my self I'm going to do something good for someone else, and sadly, I never really pull through. (Why do people only care during the holidays? ) This year, I planned on participating in the angel tree program at work, but I ended up passing because I was "too busy getting ready to go to cancun for a week". How ridiculous is that shit? There are kids and families who don't have warm clothes, toys, or food this holiday season, and all I cared about was my vacation? God, I suck.

Tonight, I went to the grocery store by my house to pick up food, I am fortunate enough to be able to do such a thing. As I walked out of the store with food for the week, a local radio station and news station were doing a food drive. There were several canopies setup, full of volunteers collecting food donations for the less fortunate in the community. I walked up to one of the volunteers, an older lady, and told her "I didn't want to do any extra shopping, but I heard you accept cash and will do the shopping for me". With a smile on her face, she said "Absolutely!". I reached into my wallet and pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to the woman.

Now, I usually wouldn't be carrying around $100 bills, but I took several hundred dollars on vacation. I had fully intended on blowing this money on food, alcohol, or other frivolous stuff, and was prepared to not flinch about it or worry about "wasting" money. I didn't actually spend it all, so I was carrying around some extra cash tonight. If I was willing to spend that $100 on myself in Mexico and not worry about it, then there is absolutely no reason that I couldn't donate it to someone less fortunate than I am. I missed one opportunity to help someone else because of my greed, I can't possibly be so greedy to do it again? That $100 is going to go much further than I had ever intended it to, and its going to help many people who aren't as fortunate as I am, and I'm sure they will appreciate it more than I possibly could have.

The lady I handed the money to immediately reached out and gave me a hug, and repeatedly thanked me for my donation. I could tell she was touched, hell, I was touched by giving.

I will keep the families that I helped in mind this holiday season, I know they will be more grateful for my donation than I may ever understand.

This was my feel good moment. I urge the rest of you to find a "feel good moment" of your own, and take the opportunity to help someone else this holiday season.

Happy Holidays.