Journal #25- Giving

Giving is an important part of life.  I have heard the popular saying many times that giving is better than receiving.  The longer that I live, the more true this seems to be.  I have realized that I do not get that much joy getting things because I will eventually get bored of it and want something more.  Giving on the other hand, gives a sense of satisfaction.  You feel good after doing something for someone else.  Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to this action.  For centuries giving gifts has been a demonstration of friendship and love.  The Indians and Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation showed their friendship by sharing food and methods of agriculture.  Then, when Abraham Lincoln instated Thanksgiving as a holiday, the entire nation began celebrating the act of giving.  Every year we get together with our families to remember everything that we have been blessed with.  Sometimes we forget the true meaning of this holiday.  We get so caught up in the food and not being in school that we forget what really matters.  Giving is an important characteristic to have.  Many people get caught up in receiving and only think about themselves that this concept is becoming rare.  I  hope that our society comes back to the practice of giving to each other and those in need.  This past Christmas, I was not that concerned with what I was going to get.  Instead, I was happy to see my family receiving my gifts. There is just something about giving that makes people feel more alive.  This is apparent in all types of occupations like missionaries and doctors.  These people give their time to help others.  This is also true for firefighters and paramedics.  They even put their life on the line to help other people.  Giving is so much better than receiving.