When fall comes, an excitement grows among us all. We're eager for the fall flavors at Starbucks, the chilly air, the bonfires, the crispy warm color leaves, the pumpkin flavors (in about everything), clothes that we love to snuggle up in, or even the smell of fall in the early morning.
I love all those things about the falls season, and many more, except there is something else to this. The sun will slowly disappear with thick gray clouds, the leaves fall from their branches (making it a western town), the air will get colder, noises will barely seem to exist, and winter isn't too far behind. So why do we love something that represent death in a beautiful way? Is that saying death is a beautiful thing? If so, why are we afraid of it?
Every fall, I think of those who have past away in my family, and the chilly air encourages my thoughts further. If I was around them as a child, my thoughts would start there, and throughout the season, they will end where I last remembered them. I would think of how they lived their lives then and compare it to mine to see if I am off to good start. How many wonders can a single person do in their life time? In calculation (as in living to be one-hundred years old), if we do one nice thing a day that would thirty-six thousand-five hundred wonderful deeds. Now imagine if we did more than one a day. How many would that calculate then? A lot more than that.
During the fall season into winter, we all tend to whine about the weather dropping lower, and how cold it is outside. We have our "first world problems" and we consider that as the worst day ever (depending on what it is). However, think of those who may not have a home and those who are poor that can't buy that warm fall beverage at Starbucks. What about them? Do you tend to ignore them or do you help them with wonderful deed?
I know, as well as you, that there are people who stand outside all day to collect money. Sometimes you can't tell, and sometimes you can if the person is poor or not. However, trust your own judgement, and make the call. At least the thought was there if you do give something, and the person isn't what they seemed.
Now, I am not saying that you need to go out and help them or that karma is going to bite you in the butt, but consider the outcome of the person that you could help. Maybe ten dollars will help a person buy a blanket somewhere cheap to help stay warm in the winter or even a pair of shoes that will help keep their feet from freezing too much. You never know, but knowing that you did something is a gift to yourself.
So I want to challenge you. Throughout the fall season, try to save a couple of dollars per week, and keep it in your purse, car, wallet, or wherever you will remember. Then, when you do see someone that is in need of your help, you will have something to give, and something to receive from them - their gratitude.
