Greetings, All:
Well, it’s that time of the year, again – Christmas and Hanukkah for most of my family and friends. Gifts abound. Food is shared. Consumer Debt goes up, lol.
Given the season, my thoughts of course fall on the topic of “Giving”.
An Instagram post caught my attention the other day. Talk about perfect timing. I realize social media algorithms show you more of what you’ve engaged with in the past; so if I’ve liked or commented on a heartwarming post about someone doing or saying something kind to others, I’m bound to get similar post notifications as I scroll. Still, this particular post struck me at my core and I had to investigate further. In Hong Kong, a young Chinese woman (off camera) hands out boxed meals to older folks on the street. Some appear to be homeless, some are collecting recyclables to scrape together enough money to live on. All seem very poor. One older woman she came across was collecting cardboard. When the young woman asked if she had eaten dinner yet that night, the old woman replied that she had some bread to eat. The young woman gave her a boxed meal of rice, veggies and beef, then proceeded to hand her some money. The older woman was 85 years old. 85, with multiple bites and scars on her unsteady legs, out at night collecting cardboard for 20-30 HK dollars. The young woman handed her $1,000 HK dollars ($128 US). I can’t stop picturing the old woman’s toothless grin, and hearing her tell the young woman “I’m so happy.”
I was brought up with the idea that “Charity begins at home”. This saying reminds us that genuine generosity starts with how we treat the people closest to us. When we practice kindness, patience, and care within our own families and communities, we develop the habits and character that make deeper compassion possible. Home is where we learn empathy; it’s where we first understand what it means to meet someone else’s needs with a willing and joyful attitude.
Yet the saying is not meant to be a limit—it’s a foundation. True charity doesn’t stop at our front door. If we truly cultivate a spirit of love and gratitude, that spirit naturally extends outward. The compassion we practice in familiar spaces strengthens our ability to recognize and respond to the struggles of others: neighbors, strangers, and communities facing hardship. I think we have a broader responsibility to uplift those around us, whether through volunteerism, financial support, advocacy, or simple everyday kindness. Our homes become the starting point of a wider ripple effect that can touch many lives.
On another post by the same young woman in Hong Kong, she’s ordering 30 boxes of takeout. When the restaurant owner asks, she tells him she’ll be passing them out to those in need. He decides immediately not to charge her, saying this is an effort he’d like to sponsor. She accepts his generosity at first, but returns later and slips him money to pay for the meals. His willingness to contribute however, is a prime example of a ripple effect.
Our responsibility as good people is to let our charity grow beyond what’s comfortable or familiar. Being charitable to others, who may never be able to repay us—is a reflection of our shared humanity. In doing so, we honor both the spirit of the saying and the higher calling to love others well.
We want to close out 2025 by wishing you and yours a warm and memorable Christmas, Hanukkah or holiday celebration of your choosing. Thank you for allowing us to stay in touch with you.
Till next year,
Derek, Emily, Natalie, Mo & Arwin
