We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ~Author Unknown
Amy Goodman, of the War and Peace Report, was broadcasting live from inside the Bella Center in Copenhagen. She was present at the Climate Summit and she was interviewing just one of the myriad of protesters who had gathered there in support of our precious environment.
I listened to these two passionate women talk and I thought to myself, “I am not doing enough. I should be there. Why am I not there standing in solidarity? I should be there, not here. I am not doing enough.”
Just the day before, while sitting in my cubicle at the hospital, I overheard a co-worker lamenting that she needed a new car battery. Right away. The bigger problem was that she didn’t really have the funds for a new car battery and to purchase one would put Christmas in jeopardy for her two sons. She is an amazing single mom who lives in a location where her car is a necessity and this hospital job is the only support she has for her family. The battery was going to cost her $90, which we all know in the grand scheme of things is not a lot of money. But for her, it was a huge chunk of change.
She was not in the holiday spirit. Not at all.
I was tempted to just hand her the money for this new battery, but I also knew that she probably wouldn’t accept it. We’re co-workers. It would be awkward. She also knows that I just had to pay my big fat MRI bill and that pretty much depleted my savings.
I did what I know how to do best. I asked. I used Twitter and put out a simple request.
#SLC single mom with kids needs a new car battery.let's all show her some love! please? contact me for details. let her know it's Christmas.
Within seconds, folks in this community came through with the $90 for her battery. But by the end of the day? I had $200 for this total stranger. All because I asked.
It could not have happened at a better moment. Her car battery exploded later that night and that money was a huge blessing for her and for her boys.
I know that I often write about how I don’t participate in the Feast of the Cash Register and that I don’t celebrate Christmas. That is true. However, I do believe in Santa Claus. For me, Santa represents the magic in all of us, the belief that we can all make everyone’s life just a little bit better if we say yes to the opportunities presented to us.
I could have ignored my co-worker last week. I could have shrugged my shoulders and said, “Wow, too bad, I hope it all works out.” Any one of us could have easily done that. It was such a small thing, really, just to ask. We’re all, every single day, presented with opportunities to be Santa and to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Not just during the holiday season. Every single day.
It could be as simple as truly making eye contact and smiling at another person as you pass them on the sidewalk. Maybe you hand your leftovers from your dinner out to the homeless guy who is begging in the median strip as you wait for the traffic light. Perhaps you grab that extra dollar bill in your pocket and give it to the busker at the train station. Or maybe you ask your community to help buy a single mom a new battery for her car.
All it takes, honestly, is just keeping your heart open to the opportunities and to say “yes” when they’re presented. Saying yes makes things happen for everyone. It’s a beautiful chain reaction. The blessings of yes are just endless.
I had a lot of beautiful souls join me in saying yes last week. I don’t necessarily need to be standing in Copenhagen to make a difference. I truly can make a difference. Every single day. Right where I am.
