Serving Others Can Be Self-Serving

I must admit: I was slightly hesitant to go caroling on Saturday.

It seemed a little hokey–something you would imagine happening in some Dickensian London, or with some happy-smiley church youth group. I'm much too cool for that.

Yet, it turned out to be just the thing to put me in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas has changed for me as I have gotten older, as I can only assume it probably does for a lot of people. As a child, it was about getting stuff. Eventually, we can afford to get our own stuff. We find out certain fantastical elements of the season are actually a lot more pedestrian than we realize. The whole thing becomes a hassle. We opt to shop these days in our pajamas on our computers because the thought of dealing with the crowds of bargain-mad consumers not only makes us ill, but we know we have the capacity to join the mob.

Caroling at the Reformed Church Nursing Home in Old Bridge was about someone else. It was providing a little of that "hokey" Christmas cheer to some of our more senior citizens of the world, many of whom might not have much else to cheer about. And, they were notably appreciative.

But, c'mon, let's be real. It also was about us–the carolers, that is. I will admit all the positive mojo I felt from the event. Why wouldn't I? When you think about it, the whole thing can be a little self-serving. I am doing something good. That makes me a good person. Or, at least, a better person than if I decided to stay home and play Persona 3 on my day off. I feel good. I. I. I.

And, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

A lot of benevolent deeds are not completely selfless. Why should they be? Our bodies and souls are bank accounts. We can only drain ourselves so much before we're running on empty, on fumes. And, eventually, we sputter to a stop. Sometimes, we're refueled by purely self-motivated acts. But, everyone loves a twofer. If I can do something that makes me feel good about myself while making someone else feel good, that's pretty much a win-win situation.

And, I understand the term "win-win situation" is hokey, but oh well. I mean, I went caroling. I thought that was hokey. I was wrong. Things aren't always what they seem. Even those self-serving acts can fill up all our souls.

But, I wouldn't say my tank full yet. Far from it. So, if you have any ideas you think might be a little cliche, a little hokey, don't hesitate to give me a shout. I might just take you up on it. I definitely love a twofer.