Christmas time - here is a nice present you can give to others - and it's free

Christmas is nearly here. The time to think of others. Isn't it wonderful - trying to get people the "right" present? Each time we go shopping, we are not thinking of ourselves; but, hopefully we are thinking of buying that special someone that special gift.

More importantly than presents, I feel that we should think of people's feelings. Try to go ONE DAY thinking of others - not yourself. No matter what happens during the day, no matter who you meet, put yourself in that other person's shoes.

When you look at someone, don't judge. When you see someone, don't let thoughts like these pop into your heard: "he is too skinny" "she is too fat" "his hair is too long" "her hair is too short" "his clothes are too baggy" "her clothes are too tight" "his nose is too big" "her ears are too small" and on and on and on.

Give each person you meet something that is from your heart- and is free - a smile.

See, I was blessed (or cursed) with "something" - don't know what to call it - but if I make fun of someone, then it strikes me. The first time this occurred was at school (work). We had an assistant band director who would walk through the foyer and visit with the school nurse. My door was right across the foyer from the nurse's door, so when the band director would visit with her (and I was standing at my door waiting on students), I got to partake in their conversations. One day, he walked off and I asked the nurse why his chin was always broke out (had tiny red bumps all over it). She said she didn't know. Well, that very afternoon, my curse (or blessing) struck!! I went to the beauty shop to get a perm. I had the plastic wrap around my neck and my head was down while she was pouring on the solution. Yep, you got it - the solution ran down my head and drizzled onto my neck and it hit where my chin was touching the plastic wrap. Lo and behold - my chin got tiny red bumps all over it. I came back to school the next day, showed the nurse, and told her that is what happened to me because I had asked about the band director's chin.

I also get punished when I make fun of my mother losing her hearing. It never fails - if I laugh at her or make fun of her for not being able to hear us (I have frequently told her we need to learn sign language), then the next day I will catch myself saying "huh, what did you say?" It never fails.

Now I am not saying that I am "better" than anyone else - I am just telling you what happens to me and how I learned not to make fun of people or judge them (oh it still happens occassionally - but, as soon as I do, I know it will strike me)...so maybe I should put "I have learned not to judge people as often as I used to". What if everyone had this curse (or blessing)? Just think what kind of world we would have. No one would be thinking bad thoughts about other people or judging others - either that or they are gluttons for punishment.

So, people, that is your homework assignment - go one day without thinking bad thoughts or judging people that you come in contact with. Give everyone you meet a present - a free present - your smile. And when you see someone you would like to judge, think "there by the Grace of God, go I". Makes you think.