Recently, we have heard the call for wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their fair share in taxes (a call that my own voice joins in). We have also seen the push for businesses to pay a living wage to their employees (and again, I agree). Then, many of us applauded when some of the wealthiest individuals not only joined the proponents of more progressive taxation, but also began giving away most or all of their wealth and asking their peers to do the same (all good stuff, IMHO).
But what about the rest of us? Sure, it seems like it would be easy to give away billions if you still had millions left, but I think that is a cop-out. How many of us scraped by on minimum wage and thought reaching Middle Class would leave us flush with cash, only to find our finances stretched tighter than ever with changing expectations requiring all appliances to work, vehicles to not be rusted through and cable, internet and cell phones joining food, water and shelter as basic requirements? How many do we know who make more than us and have only a different tag on their shirt to show for it? "Lame excuses" is an oxymoron and rationalizing is just trying to find lies for our rationales.
I say all of these because I have breviphobia (my made-up term for fear of getting to the point too soon).
With 25 days to Christmas as I write this, I propose a 3 part challenge based on the number 25:
First, tip 25 percent more and 25 percent more often. I know some of us tip well already, while some tip 15 percent to the penny and others tip sparingly (shame on you). But whatever you do normally, from now until the 25th, do a quarter more (and if, as I have heard but tried not to believe, there are those who don't tip, 25 percent of the bill is a good place to start loosening the hold the almighty dollar has in you). In addition, the 25 percent more often means tipping those you might not otherwise tip; perhaps the young lady behind the counter at Dunkin Donuts or the guy who helps you load up lumber or furniture at the curb; if you truly can't find someone you can tip cash that you don't already, then substitute buying small gifts for those you regularly interact with in non-social settings (a nurse, cashier or mail carrier or maybe local emergency personnel). Overachievers are welcome to do both.
Second, give 25 percent of what you spend on Christmas presents to those who have the least; this could be a local homeless mission or soup kitchen, disaster relief in the Philippines or efforts at dealing with long term poverty, like Habitat for Humanity or Charity:Water. While I prefer the idea of "giving away" Christmas completely (see adventconspiracy.org - seriously, check it out!), it is very easy to fail in this and just doing your best without a goal usually fails to deliver the sense of accomplishment that motivates us to do more. Using this 25 percent challenge, all we have to do is set aside 20 percent of our Christmas budget (20 is 25% of the 80 left for presents). I doubt we will miss it...
Third, commit to 25 small acts of kindness over the holidays. Encourage a customer service rep (or Obamacare phone rep) who deals with negativism all day; support and/or promote someone's small business (or side business); even something as small as volunteering to return someone's grocery cart (buggy for my Yankee friends) can bring about a smile in an otherwise stressful day (smiles, unlike fossil fuels, are not a finite resource; they are the epitome of "renewable resources" - brighten your environment!
Peace and love to all, CTM72!
