As The Season Approaches

I love this close-to-Christmas time of year. Yes, we are still in the midst of fall; the leaves are falling, most kids are getting their sugar on, the wood stove heats the house and keeps away the damp air which hasn't quite turned really chilly.

But there's also a feeling of Hope. The knowledge that there is more to come in the months that lay ahead than simply gray, dismal rain. There is more than the day-after-day routine. There will be gingerbread houses and men, Christmas chains, tree set-up, stockings to hang, snowflakes to dangle.

Our official "Christmas set up" doesn't begin until after November 11th. We will respect those who gave their lives for us. We will not overlook the sacrifice of thousands.

But in my mind, I must plan. To let you in on a small secret, my Christmas cards are already made and the shopping is nearly done. (Keep in mind, we keep things fairly minimal around here - knowing that there are millions who go without. The thought of indulging or worse, over-indulging leaves a knot in the pit of me. Materially giving more, when we already have so much...for me...takes the joy out of the season filled with just that: Joy.)

The other part of this up and coming season that I absolutely love love love is the generosity and sudden philanthropy which seems to come out of the woodwork. Wish it was this consistent year round? Sure I do. But better something than nothing at all.

Catching up on a friend from way back, the other day Katie shared about this.

So of course I had to read up on it.


And now, I'm inspired.

It wasn't enough to just read about this concept, which has been so incredibly executed. I had to listen to the message. (Click on the Be Rich logo and you'll be set.) It's a bit long but not in a bad way. It's a bit long in a make-sure-the-kids-are-in-bed kind of way. I'd urge you to listen. Listen while you make your Christmas cards. Listen while you're picking up the toys at the end of the day. Listen while the babes are napping. Just. Don't. Miss. It.

Christian or not, it's for you. It reminds us of how rich, how blessed, how privileged we are. Yes, the top 1% of the world type of rich. Yes you. And me. And we cannot turn away from the knowledge of this truth.

Katie shares a few more bits of her wealth of information...she's a smart girl...

If you wander a bit further afield, you quickly come to realize just how relative the word rich is.
Rich in China = USD $36,000/year
Rich in Indonesia = USD $11,000/year
Rich in Ethiopia = USD $1,600/year


(All of these numbers are approximately 10x the average annual income)
Rich in America? Maybe you are, maybe you're not.
Rich in the eyes of the rest of the world? You bet.

[...]

I want to BE RICH because we are rich. And regardless of your spiritual, moral or political beliefs there's no denying that if you're reading this blog, you're rich.

Are you acting like it?

And now all that's left to do is figure out my plan of action.

What is yours?