Some thoughts on holiday charity

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

It’s easy to dismiss our own actions as inconsequential drops in the bucket of the grand scheme of things. But as William James reminds us in today’s quote, that isn’t true. And before I get started here, I should add that I’m not campaigning for the Salvation Army, though I do appreciate the organization’s year-long efforts to help others in need.

But I think about William James’s quote nearly every time I pass the folks who are ringing bells at the entrance of my local grocery store. Since I visit this market almost daily, I encounter these red-kettle volunteers often during the holiday season — and feel compelled to dig through my purse or pockets each time. This time of year, I can run out of pocket cash quickly. I try to be prepared.

I used to wonder: Does a measly dollar or two, here and there, really make any difference? You bet it does. If we all do what we can to uplift others, even in small ways, it adds up generously. ~CL

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