Paying It Forward and Giving Back

We are where we are today because someone had paid it forward. 

Parents are a fine example of people who pay it forward as they make sacrifices out of love to raise their offspring and build a family life that contributes to the well being of their community.

Photo by Kabita Darlami on Unsplash

We could think of philanthropists who had made donations to build schools or charities; teachers who imparted knowledge and taught us how to catch our own fish and stay hungry for more fish; bosses or mentors who led us by example as they walk their talk.

If we think back, we will find that their are a lot of people whom we can be thankful for.

As we come of age or even before that, the cycle of good deeds could originate from us, as well. It is time to give back. We will be the richer for doing so as a family member and stakeholder of our community. Our calling is not to be hoarders, but to be a person who keep a lookout for our neighbours -- anyone who has a need. As Secret Santa would have us know, no deed is too small.

For example, giving up your seat in the train to an elderly person may seem insignificant to you, but it is weighty to that senior citizen with weak knees.

This social infrastructure of paying forward and giving back is caught rather than taught. It requires us to buy-in with willing hearts fortified with commitment to make a sacrifice of time, effort and/or finances.

Some of those who had helped us may had passed on in life, but their good deeds will be remembered forever. And, memories of them would continue to encourage and inspire us to emulate their fine examples.

When we do our part, we could likewise leave a lasting legacy to our beneficiaries. Let us do what we can to make a difference as this is a logical step for us to remain humane and steer clear of indifference.

We will reap what we have sown if we do not grow weary in doing good. All of us will grow old sooner than we are prepared to face the hard truth. Start sowing early.

Click here for Maroon 5 - Memories (Lyrics).

Thanksgiving by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Before you read the following poem on the importance of thanksgiving, you might wanna click on the following piece of music to still your mind as you review and reflect on the years that have passed and find fresh impetus for the New Year.

Click here for Beethoven's Silence - (Extended).

Thanksgiving

(By Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

We walk on starry fields of white   
And do not see the daisies;
For blessings common in our sight
We rarely offer praises.

We sigh for some supreme delight
To crown our lives with splendor,
And quite ignore our daily store
Of pleasures sweet and tender.

Our cares are bold and push their way
Upon our thought and feeling.
They hand about us all the day,
Our time from pleasure stealing.

So unobtrusive many a joy
We pass by and forget it,
But worry strives to own our lives,
And conquers if we let it.

There’s not a day in all the year
But holds some hidden pleasure,
And looking back, joys oft appear
To brim the past’s wide measure.

But blessings are like friends, I hold,
Who love and labor near us. 
We ought to raise our notes of praise
While living hearts can hear us.

Full many a blessing wears the guise
Of worry or of trouble;
Far-seeing is the soul, and wise, 
Who knows the mask is double.

But he who has the faith and strength
To thank his God for sorrow
Has found a joy without alloy
To gladden every morrow.

We ought to make the moments notes
Of happy, glad Thanksgiving;
The hours and days a silent phrase
Of music we are living.

And so the theme should swell and grow
As weeks and months pass o’er us,
And rise sublime at this good time,
A grand Thanksgiving chorus.

The Gift of Giving

This Christmas I was looking forward to try and opt out from the gift exchange that my company's Administration Department organises annually as we wrap up the year with a Christmas lunch as I do not advocate crass commercialism. Covid-19 has made it a non-decision as my colleagues are largely working from home and mingling in large groups is disallowed by the government for good safety measure.

Nonetheless, the giving didn't stop as I see colleagues wrapped, labelled and rolled our their gifts on an unofficial basis to one another. Their earnest and sincere efforts caused me to have a change of heart that giving can be genuine and not a knee-jerk reaction to mindless shopping. It was all done without obligation and out of appreciation, and some few that I know kept giving year after year even when they did not receive any gifts in return.

This got me thinking on why they would do so. My answer is that they have been struck by the gift of giving where they find giving edifying -- in and of itself; good for the heart and soul.

The gift of giving is a secondary gift or side-effect, if you will, of Christmas. The greatest gift of all had been given on that first Christmas. We are merely taking after the greatest Giver of all times -- God Himself.

The mystery of Christmas continues as many have yet to receive a revelation to ponder over this life-transforming gift from heaven. 

As prophesied, "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)".

For your reflection, here is an account of gift from heaven on that first Christmas:

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and teacher of the law, came to Jesus one night to ask concerning heavenly things and out of this encounter we have received this clear depiction and promise of Christmas as encapsulated in the Holy Bible: 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16 NKJV)."

The message of Christmas is timeless. Love has a name -- Jesus. May you have your Silent Night and Holy Night moment with the revelation from heaven that God is with us and Jesus is still the answer for the world today as we by faith not only received our own salvation from the condemnation of sins, but also emulate His examples to redeem this world with His love and act of giving.

Merry Christmas and thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.