A currency of the heart….
So sayeth the great god Facebook:
“What’s the holiday present with the highest approval rating? Money, of course.” ~ Your friend, Facebook 😉
Facebook is the social media arbiter of everything. So open-wide your wallets, credit cards, Venmo, PayPal, and receive TRUE approval from the media god for your holiday charitable contributions on Post-Thanksgiving Giving Tuesday. Currently, my email inbox is filled with requests to support: UNICEF; the International Red Cross, Heifer International, the Innocence Project, Color of Change….
STOP! If there were hills around here, I’d be running for them. Oh no, oh no, experiencing email solicitation overload on Giving Tuesday. Filled with guilt. If I had beaucoup bucks, my fingers would be dancing over the “donate” buttons for all the causes above (and so many more.) But I don’t have beaucoup bucks. I certainly contribute here and there. Still, it seems like a pittance and I feel as if I’m a coward running from ALL the requests in my email inbox. No, no, here comes another one! Shrinking into a metaphorical fetal ball, feeling as if I want to close my eyes to all the financial need out there and judging myself for not having beaucoup bucks to sate the need.
Deep breath. Another deep breath...
Whew. Beginning to face myself. (Mostly.) There is, undeniably, deep need in the world. But often it seems as if the only currency that truly matters during the holidays is the green stuff. You know, this stuff - $$$ - the one Facebook identifies as holding the highest holiday approval rating.
But let's also acknowledge another shadow “currency” on Giving Tuesday. Walking alongside people - a “currency” of the heart. This currency - currency of the heart - tends to be much less visible - but no less valuable. Acknowledging the hearts (and hurts) of others is also a powerful medium of support. Currency of the heart lifts people up, emotionally and spiritually, in a multitude of teeny-tiny ways. And I do mean teeny-tiny, so don’t go running off in fear of one more onerous thing I’m asking you to do.
Teeny-tiny is the power of throwing one small pebble into a pond and watching as the myriad ripples flow off into apparent infinity. Acts that seem oh-so-tiny, but often carry the human spirit of the receiver much, much farther than we’ll ever know.
Acts such as:
*Asking about the lives of others instead of just talking about our own;
*Smiling and saying thank you to every single person behind the counter at any store you visit;
* Scattering kindness like confetti. (Try it, you might like it.)
How does it feel to truly be seen and acknowledged as a whole human being? Wonderful, that’s what. This currency of warm-heartedness doesn’t seem to be valued equally with the green stuff, at least, on Giving Tuesday. But, who cares? I’ll keep giving – all year long - with currency of the heart. Take THAT, Facebook!
❤️ I’d be very grateful if you’d consider sharing “This Being Human Thing.” Who couldn’t use more heart and humor?
Yes, exactly, and if you give a bit, they spend it triple trying to get you to do it again and bigger. I do find the sharing of the soul, the minutes, and the unexpected to be the greatest gift. Not just this season, but every season. Great blog! Love your turn of phrase!
Well said! I too have been inundated with solicitations to give, give, and give some more! I open the envelopes and take out the little offerings--little pads of paper, a pen, address labels, and even a tote bag! I say thank you to each envelope, offer a prayer and refuse to feel guilty. My charity starts at home, and in my community, like the proverbial pebble you mentioned. I still thank the people at my grocery store for showing up and for bagging my groceries. A gratitude I started with the advent of the pandemic and continue to this day. I wonder often that even if even I won the lottery, all that money still wouldn’t be enough to take care of all the need. Thank you for putting into words what had been going through my mind as each holiday season draws nigh.