Loving-kindness, forgiveness and compassion cannot be found stored away on some dusty shelf

Christmas can be the most dreadful time of year for many people who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Parents wish to give their children that moment of magic, but cannot afford to do so.

Folks living on a tight budget can't afford gas money to make it home for the holidays.

Soldiers in faraway places are without the means or liberty to come home.

It's not hard to see that the Christmas season can send some people into depression and despair.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving and receiving. But, the commercialization of the season has forced many of us to define the season as the buying of material goods in exchange for more material goods.

I mean, who hasn't felt pressured into the commercialized aspect of the holiday season?

You give me something. I give you something.

Whatever happened to being thankful for what we already have? I mean didn't we just visit Thanksgiving?

Don't get me wrong, giving to others can be heartwarming. But, the pressure to give just the right gift is stressful and time-consuming.

There's nothing wrong with showing your appreciation for someone with a well-thought-out gift, but the best gifts really can't be bought or sold.

Loving-kindness, forgiveness and compassion cannot be found stored away on some dusty shelf in a retail store.

Yet, loving-kindness, forgiveness and compassion can all be shared with others. But, why are they so hard to give?

If these gifts came with a price tag would we gladly buy away?

Sometimes we find ourselves blindly fumbling our way through department stores, on-line Web sites, malls and specialty shops in search of an object that just doesn't equal what our hearts would like to say.

There's nothing wrong with exchanging gifts ... but, sometimes giving the gift of your precious time is just as sweet.

What's wrong with giving a little love? Just a little love given all year long sure goes a long way.

Call your mom. Hug your brother. Forgive your friend. Visit your grandkid. Appreciate what you have while you have it.

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. -- Mother Teresa

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at tferree@dailycitizen.com .