A few years back, I met a Jewish man with more Christian values than any Christian Id ever met. He told me how sad he felt every holiday season, for years and years, when he saw rude holiday shoppers, and ungrateful kids making lists, and everyone so stressed out. He had a 12 yr old son the year he decided to stop the madness. That year, he went to the bank and got $1,000 in 10s and 20s, and placed between $10 and $50 in red envelopes. He carried these with him for the month of December, and whenever he noticed kindness, whether from a busboy, or an elevator attendant, or a grocery cashier, or just someone holding a door open for him, he would hand that person a red envelope and say, Merry Christmas. (Remember, this is a Jewish man!) He made sure his son was with him most of the time when he did this, and he would let his son hand over the envelope sometimes, and he would explain to his son why each recipient had been given the money. He told me: I got more joy out of giving to complete strangers than I ever did buying for people who were already blessed. And the gift I gave my son that year; time and attention from me, changed his life forever. As the years passed, and the man became more and more successful, the number of red envelopes grew, and the amount in each envelope increased. To this day, a strong bond remains between father and son, (now 28, with an MBA and his own successful business). They each spend the month of December handing out red envelopes to unsuspecting strangers, and they meet for dinner once or twice a week, and share their stories of gratitude and giving.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 17:56:32 +0000
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