I FEEL THAT WHAT YOU DID WITH GIVING AWAY COPIES OF YOUR BOOK WITH MONEY FOR BOOKMARKS, IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! IN FACT THIS ENTIRE SHARING IS WRITTEN EXCELLENTLY AND IT IS TRUE...TO A POINT. WHAT I MEAN IS, I'M ONE WHO BELIEVES 'PIETY', THAT IS...LOVE OF GOD, BEGINS AT HOME. IF I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE TO MY FAMILY AT CHRISTMAS, SOME OF WHOM ARE NEEDY AND OTHERS WHO, CERTAINLY, GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GIVE TO ME...THEN I DON'T GIVE TO ANYONE. NOW, DON'T MISUNDERSTAND. WHEN I'M BLESSED TO DO SO, I ENJOY GIVING TO CHARITIES, LIBERALLY, AND IN THE PAST I HAVE. HOWEVER, WHEN I DO HAVE IT TO GIVE...I BEGIN AT HOME. THANKS FOR SHARING, MY FRIEND. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

What a perfectly wise and compassionate poem, Ron. A joy to read this.

The perfect poem for the holiday season. Takers count many, but givers are among the few. We should remember to even the scales.

As always a great present from you, this one for Christmas, and your secret Santa idea last year sounds like a winner...-e- [Merry Christmas, kind sir]

You do a stellar job in reminding the reader of the reciprocal nature of give and take, the value of exchanging vibrations of love and how easily said innate value is usually sent back to us. A fine piece of poetry for a often ugly time of the year, especially the "taking" aspect before and after the holiday.

Your poem is what the season of Christmas is all about--magnifying what we should be doing all year long.

What a wonderful poem for this holiday season and some sound advice as well. It is very heart-warming, and a kind of warning as well, especially when you invoke the specter of karma hanging over people's heads. Loved your prelude story about giving books away. What a great idea.

Wonderful poem for this time of year, Ron! Yes, if we are not here to help those less fortunate, what good are we? Food for the food banks, clothes to the halfway houses, etc.. It doesn't always have to be money. Caring is all it takes.

Love ya!

Jane

It's all good, Ron! Some great lines here! I never complain how much I have paid to help those whom I think are in need. We always know it in our hearts who need help most.

Sandie

Absolutely right. Transparency is very important in charities.

I love this poem, Ron. It speaks truth and love.

Your poem sums up what I have always felt. I try to give out whateaver I have to those who need it the most. You are a kind man Ron. Keep up with your good work.

Very nice, Ron. I stumbled a bit over the second line of the third stanza, but otherwise it all flowed nicely together. My own 'giving' for the moment consists of having just climbed up a tree to replenish my squirrel feeder with expensive mixed nuts (unsalted). They are perhaps the best fed squirrels in the entire neighborhood. And of course that act is prompted by my love of all animals (the non-human variety, since technically speaking we're ALL animals of a kind). What's the common wisdom? Oh yes, 'small acts of random kindness on a regular basis.' That's certainly always worked for me, karmic return or not. Giving should, of course, not be pathological but spontaneous and unreasoned- out. And not just during erstwhile 'religious celebrations' such as the various religious holidays that are now upon us. I'm sure even Karl Marx would agree with that ('Give as according to one's ability, take according to one's needs', LoL)! Hope your holiday is personally meaningful and richly fulfilling.

Such a heartwarming and timely write. I hate getting or giving gifts that are just mere trinkets of junk, just to say here's your gift. For the most part, once we reach a certain point in life we don't need "stuff". Christmas has become so commercialized, it's taken the joy out of it. And don't get me started on the people that go to extremes with decorating. It's overkill, and tacky.

Happy thought for the day...week...month...New Year:)
Thanks for the reminder, Ron.
Blessings,
Ann

You are my hero! This is just the perfect thing to do. I have very little cash, but I save up things that I can give the homeless and the people in my building who are all disenfranchised. I am associated with our local homeless newspaper, street roots, and funnel what I can to them. You inspire me to increase my small efforts further - that is another gift you give. May your holidays be peaceful and filled with good will, kind man.