Anita Ojeda 
Don’t be a Grinch! If you want a happier holiday season, perform a simple act of kindness each day.
Can You Really Seed Clouds?
“Seed the clouds for Christmas?” I re-read the Martha Stewart list for the perfect Christmas and halted on December 24. “That’s a thing?”
“I think it’s a joke,” Pedro said. “Who sent you the email?”
“Someone from work. It is a joke,” I answered, “but really, what does seeding the clouds mean?”
We checked the internet and discovered cloud seeding existed. Although most likely never by private citizens.
While meant as a spoof, the Martha Stewart list for the perfect Christmas made me think. How often did I turn the holiday season into a burden by setting high expectations for a perfect holiday? And how often did I let the world of advertising and television define perfect?
Make Time to Enjoy a Simple Act of Kindness
Twenty-some years have passed, and I’ve learned some simple truths about the holiday season. In a dark, hurried, and stressed world, I can shine a light with one simple act of kindness each day.
Kindness doesn’t require forethought or extravagance. A simple act holds just as much power as a grand gesture—especially in the lives of strangers. It takes intention to perform simple acts of kindness, but the rewards will warm you faster than a mug of hot cocoa.
- Smile at the cashier, look her in the eyes and ask her how her day is going. Listen to her reply.
- Hold the door open for someone and smile.
- Shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk.
- Do someone else’s household chores.
- Ask someone about their favorite part of the holiday season.
- Offer to help an elderly or housebound person decorate their tree or string lights.
- Find a way to help a caregiver (you’ll find ideas here).
- Invite someone to your Christmas celebration who isn’t a family member.
- Thank people for their positive impact on your life (teachers, pastors, family members).
- If someone struggles during the holidays, be willing to come alongside and acknowledge their struggle. Don’t think you need to make it better.
Jesus came to earth in a simple way to blue-collar parents. He spent the first 30 years of his life in relative obscurity. As we celebrate his first advent, let us ponder what his life meant and how his mercy, grace, compassion, and love changed the world forever. Maybe a simple act of kindness you perform can help transform someone else’s day, or even life, too.
A simply chosen act of kindness
when there is a moment handy
deters eye for an eye blindness
that was prophesized by Gandhi.
One act cannot stem the tide;
we are aware of this, of course!
But if we push back upon our pride,
and let cart run behind the horse,
we will challenge those around
to mend their in-your-face fell days,
and someday, maybe, we’ll have found
that our soft and gentle ways
have turned our leaders’ hearts to action
in encouraging compassion.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted…Horse-drawn Marriage
Sometimes it only takes a moment. Some of my most meaningful Christmas memories were simple moments that I will always cherish. Thanks for reminding me of the impact a simple kindness can have on the lives of others, especially at a time of year that can be wonderful for many but painful for some.
what a great list! and what a great reminder! our humble savior the true example of taking the simple and changing lives!
I learned of cloudseeding when my daughter lived in Russia. They would seed the clouds to bring forth moisture in areas of drought. Unfortunately, the resulting rain would be a “chemical” type rain.
Kindness touches every heart – whether large or small, planned or spontaneous, extravagant or simple – kindness expresses love and value to the recipient.
Lisa Blair recently posted…5 Ways to Embrace Jesus during the Holidays
Isn’t it amazing how a simple act of kindness, a smile, a good word can lift people’s spirits. More than ever …
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