Take A Break from Making Money

Holiday season and its time for a little holiday spirit. Today I was reading two very interesting articles that are just right for this post.

President elect Obama has raised over 745 million during his campaign. He reported raising $104 million in more than five weeks immediately before and after Election Day. These are impressive numbers in my view.

"Obama's organization retains some $30 million after his successful presidential bid, but it's unclear how the Democratic president-in-waiting might use the money", wrote Philip Elliott at Yahoo News.

The other story is about "secret Santa", unknown individuals who give and gave $100 to people, with the obligation to do something nice for someone else. Complicated sentence, let me explain. The undercover gift givers roamed city streets each December doling out $100 bills to anyone who looked like they might need a lift. These people are called "Secret Santa". The past 26 years it was done year and this year it is happening again.

Unfortunate it is not wide spread according to the report I was reading, but maybe there are similar activities but not known as "Secret Santa" because it happens at different times during the year.

I find it heart touching, especially when the reactions are so strong from the person who received $100. Think about it, we talking about $100, it does not sound a lot, but it can mean the world.

Cynthia Brown, 40, was laid off three weeks ago from her food service job. Santa found her at the St. Louis County health clinic and gave her $100, exactly what she had asked to borrow from her mother a night ago to buy food.

Leotta Burbank, 50, of West Frankfurt, Ill., was at a thrift store Friday to buy decorations for her sister-in-law's room at a St. Louis hospice, where she is dying of pancreatic cancer. When Santa gave her money, Burbank collapsed into his arms and wouldn't stop hugging him.

"It's not about the man, it's not about the money, it's about the message," the Kansas City Santa said. "Anyone can be a secret Santa with a kind word, gesture, a helping hand."

Imagine, just for a minute, how many $100 bills , hugs and words of encouragement to unsuspecting souls in need would these some $30 million from Obama organization reach. Yes some 300,000 who have the obligation to pass along a kindness to someone else. These people might have the same condition to pass along a kindness to someone else...

Of course you could call the Obama campaign organization and suggest this to them. Feel free to do so. Yet, even better and more rewarding is to do something like these Secret Santas and give a way $20 or $10. You could buy something and tell the person to keep the change.

My advice to you take a break from making money, from your computer, facebook, affiliating, socializing. Call it a day and go out. Go under people, look around you, observe, look into faces, listen. See and hear what people around you do. Sit down at a cafe, diner, order two coffee and give one to someone else. Pay the coffee with a larger bill and tell the waitress to keep the change.