How ironic it is that this occurs within the period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, a time for increased connection with family and friends, a time of giving and receiving, a time for sentiment and spiritual growth. We so often lose sight of the beauty all around us because of these overwhelming concerns and feelings. We hurry to the next class or appointment preoccupied with our own thoughts and concerns, eyes on the pavement, attention buried within.
One of my favorite stories this time of year is Dickens' Christmas Carol. Most of us are familiar with the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from a cold-hearted, miserly old coot to a warm and generous soul. This transformation unfolds during the course of visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Scrooge, resistant at first, eventually succumbs to the views of reality in the past, present, and potentially the future. He opens his eyes to many of the realities surrounding him; some beautiful and tender, others cold and harsh. He opens his heart to help others in need and in the process saves his own soul. He has changed his perspective; he has a new life.
In many ways there is a part of old Mr. Scrooge in all of us. We can become so focused on the material in our worlds-presents, work, grades, our survival-that it becomes easy to lose touch with our sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves; our family and friends, our community, nature, and the world at large. Yet, like Scrooge, we all have the opportunity to alter our perspective by moving beyond ourselves, opening our eyes and hearts to the world around us.
So many in the WPI community recently opened their hearts to the Lakota children with gifts of clothing and toys. Countless other acts of generosity, small and large, occur each day on this campus and in the community at large. The act of giving is an opportunity to move beyond ourselves and connect with the world. In this way, one's generosity can be a way to make what can be an overwhelming time of year much more tolerable and rewarding. What small gift of service or kindness can you give to someone else today? Can you spare a moment to slow down, smell the air, watch a sunset, offer a smile or nod to someone? A change in perspective can start with the smallest of actions.
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