Time to Give

Not too long ago I was reading an article where it was stated that when most kids are born they have their one hand with an open palm signifying that they come to this world wanting. True, we as parents who bring up our kids are all the time at their beckon providing them with whatever that takes to make their life an easy one. How often we have heard parents say,” I did this for my children or my child wanted this very badly and I had very little choice to say no.”
Most of us live a comfortable life and God has given us a decent life to live and enjoy with our family and friends. But there are others who are not so fortunate; be it their own doing or it may be due to certain unforeseen circumstances. It’s these people I’m talking about today – especially as just like every year it’s time for all of us to give and give generously if we can afford to do so.
Festive occasions are times that are hard on those who are homeless, jobless or without even two square meals a day let alone special dishes to taste as most of us do during these festive days. We should all want to give, no matter how large or small our gift may be but give with an open heart. We should not have to be reminded to do so by various societies who go out of their way reminding us of the different festivals and the number of destitute families we have around our community.
The Asian community is one which we have often seen that has made it a tradition of offering food and drinks to each and all who come to their doorstep during their festive days. Most consider it a good omen to be able to share the food off their dinner tables. Why, even all Sikh Temples all over have their doors open every day and no matter who comes to them for food they never turn them away as long as they respect their basic believes. When you go to a temple you will notice that there are doors on all sides of their main (langar) kitchen hall. When questioned about it, the people there told us that the reason was that they welcome each and everyone from all corners of this world to their house of God.
Giving should not necessarily be only of money or food alone. There are many other ways of giving. Some of us have other things that are just occupying space in our homes or storage areas. So why not give them away so that those items could be put to better use. Likewise there are some of us who have so much time on our hands that we just waste it on frivolous issues. Why not become a volunteer with some society who could be in desperate need of your time. Often you see groups of elders sitting on benches in Malls, bus stops and even playgrounds doing nothing but entertaining themselves in cheap gossip. Now can you imagine how much all these people could do collectively if they offered their services for any kind of odd job requested off them? We are sure that the personal satisfaction one gets out of helping another has no dollar value to it.
So we say to each and everyone that now is the time for you to give and please give generously.