Think about the month of December. Okay so probably the number one thing that came to mind was Christmas. With Christmas comes thoughts of snow, cookies, family time, religious meanings, but mostly presents. The idea of this holiday is solely based in Americans’ minds on Christmas morning when we run downstairs to see all the goodies wrapped and placed under the tree, the stockings on the mantle and the emotional pure bliss behind it all.

Christmas is a time of giving, but what about the rest of the year? Maybe I’m biased from my personal church upbringing, but giving should not be limited to one month out of every twelve. Just because there is not a holiday to celebrate constantly, we need to celebrate daily.

In fact, Christmas is the only time of the year that soup kitchens and charities tend to receive the most donations, therefore the only time they have an abundance to give, but after that, they struggle for supply. If you have more than enough, even something small like extra food in your lunch box, instead of throwing it away, find someone who might not have had lunch. In little acts of kindness such as this, you can make a worldly difference in other’s eyes.

Every summer my family and I donate anything in our house we don’t need or use anymore. We also participate in food drives, soup kitchens and volunteer at church events. A few items and a few hours of our time is so miniscule compared to doing nothing at all.

Take time to be mindful of others after December passes. You will notice a difference in others’ happiness as well as your own.