Update: I'm baking this Christmas. In the past I've always given chocolates to local business owners whom I've appreciated. This time I'm giving them something made from my own hands.

Armed with a recipe, a mixing bowl, a blender and an oven I'm going to surprise them with a choice dessert. That's one way to spread some happiness with everyone in the office. I can't wait to see the look on their faces.

With extra time spent in the kitchen and with last-minute meetings, let's break for now. I'll catch up with you in the new year. Happy Holidays.

Feature Article: Why Give?

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Blocked by the Board...

Two weeks ago I mentioned I wrote an end-of-the-year fundraising thank you letter that asked for donations without asking for donations. Quite clever if you asked me. Some, well not exactly, just one of the board members raised a tiff and influenced the other board members to let the founder of the non-profit know to edit any hint they were asking for contributions.

What a shame. We'll never know how much people were willing to give because of this missed opportunity. I operate from the belief that people have big hearts and are willing to help when you give a compelling reason.

Your editor has very little clout with the organization but knows quite well these things normally happen. He knows the founder sees eye-to-eye with him and there needs to be changes made next year in order for this organization to grow and get things done. Life is too short to wait around for things to happen.

Why Give?

Dear Associate,

Old Saint Nick is rounding up his reindeer, the elves are working overtime and the entire North Pole is abuzz with the jing, jing, jingle of sleigh bells. Mrs. Clause is making the list and checking it twice, finding out if you've been naughty or nice. And where on earth is Rudolph?

Santa Clause is coming to town. As Mr. Clause and company are preparing for this yuletide season I reflected on giving. I mean: Why give?

What an insightful question. A question you and I will explore further today. Because isn't this the season of giving?

Now I have to be up-front with you...

For most of my life I didn't know how to give. Giving wasn't that easy. It wasn't natural. I knew how to receive. I was good at that. But that was pretty shallow and one-sided.

And when someone's birthday came up — I stressed out because I didn't know how to shop for a gift. I'd usually panic and spend days looking for a perfect gift that really didn't turn out to be that perfect after all. I was afraid of embarrassing myself and would rather face illness than having to shop.

But one day my fear of giving began a total transformation...

I met a man who is one of the most generous givers on the planet. He never sat me down to share his formula for giving. Instead I watched him work his magic on people.

I saw the reaction on the faces of the people he touched. Their eyes would light up and they'd crack a huge smile. I had never experienced anything like this before.

He showed me the power of showering someone with presents. Imagine the expression on someone's face when she receives a half dozen individually wrapped gifts. It's pure joy to the nth degree.

From him I learned the joy of giving. Because once I got better at giving, it felt good inside. Now let's return to the question: why give?

Here are three major reasons:

1) Because it makes people happy. Can you imagine giving a stuffed animal to a little girl that's almost as big as she is? She becomes ecstatic and can't sit still. She pounces on top and begins riding it like a horse. She shouts commands and sound effects from the top of her lungs. You've made her the happiest girl in the world.

2) Because it makes you happy. You write a check to sponsor a child in a poor country. She gets an education she normally wouldn't have gotten without you. Your generosity pays off. You have invested in the well-being of another human soul. Her life is changed. You've planted a seed that can one day reap an abundant harvest.

3) Because it begins a chain reaction of giving. Did you hear about the mystery couple that ate at the Aramingo Diner in Philadelphia? They paid their tab and picked up the tab for another table. This set-off a chain reaction of generosity that lasted for hours. One tearful wait staff had never experienced anything like this before. This was love in action.

I believe deep at the heart of each individual is a happy giver. Sometimes that generous heart is buried beneath layers of negative programming. But even with tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge — love eventually wins in the end.

Warm regards,