"What makes you happy?" Have you ever thought of this? Nothing can make you happy unless you have already decided it to be the crux of your happiness. Take children from small villages who live in what most Americans would consider a hovel, and often they will be displaying smiles, despite the conditions. Are they truly happy?
This year, our family is struggling even more than years in the past, but we had our holiday early. Because of being financially disabled, each of us purchased one gift for each other, meaning we each received two gifts because there are three of us. My ten-year-old took his kid sister ice-skating for the first time, and she fell in love with the sport. This "gift" has changed her life forever, because now all she talks about is ice-skating.
My first-grade daughter earned what is referred to as "behavior points" at school, over a period, to earn a large T-shirt for me. While I could have given her money to purchase a gift for me, the shirt means so much more to both she and me than a trip to the store could have produced.
You see, it isn't the wrapping of the package, as much as its delivery. It isn't what's inside the box, as much as the effort to get it there. Don't misunderstand, there will always be that one toy a kid receives to show off to their friends. But I can guarantee, the gift will be no more loved than a positive life-altering experience that allows them to create their own happiness.
According to my children, this is the best Christmas ever, and I agree. It's also the most enlightening.
Photo: India Children, harrybeckkolhoff@ymail.com, Yahoo Inc., 2012
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