The Reason for the Season -please read.

It's Christmas time again. Though you may call it "the Holiday season" it is still a good excuse to be charitable.

I know that some of you may have issues with this being a hokey time, and maybe feel a sense of competitiveness when it comes to "presents", but don't fret. This year will be different if you make the effort and stop complaining.

I recently just got off the phone with my little brother and my mom; they wanted to know what I'd like for Christmas. I didn't give it much of a second thought. I said I don't really want anything. My little brother became frustrated and began to excitedly yell at me and exclaimed that I must tell him so he can use the money mom gave him to go get me something. I told him to give it to charity.

"I want this Christmas to be different" I told my mom after my little brother complained to her and she took the phone from him. I have everything that I want right now and there are people who are in real "need". It truly is the reason for the season.

If it is too much to ask, I'll ask it anyway: give. Do something for someone that you DON'T know this year. No more giving unnecessary gifts. Why not give the money that you would have spent on that anonymous, to the actual person (or trusted organization). Let them use it how THEY feel would be best for that special individual or family. I want more people this year to go about with "Merry Christmas" upon their lips, and mean it.

I haven't seen "The Christmas Carol" this year yet, but the Bob Cratchet family comes to mind. Use this legendary example from the immortal classic to NOT BE A SCROOGE.

I feel obligate to say this because I have Ethos on my side. I recently came from a gathering of individuals this Sunday evening and we all sat around a large circle and expressed what we wanted for Christmas. Though there were only a select few of us who were generous and thought of others, the vast majority thought only about what they selfishly desired. Even when it came down to the last few people, they still didn't learn. They sincerely asked for money, cars, cruises, or week long trips to Hawaii or Italy (they even put it into time frames as I just did, indirectly meaning that they've already thought about it). I left that meeting feeling sick. You'd think that Utah County citizens would be better.

We are indeed all blessed, but there are always those who aren't as blessed as we may be. Trust me, you'll feel the Christmas/Holiday spirit if you simply give and TRULY TRY to be better.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.