The Best Gifts Cost Nothing

As I scan my bank account, I notice how much money I’ve spent for holiday gifts, and I wonder,’Did I really need to spend that much?’
There is no right or wrong answer, here, because one can justify either response Yes, you spent too much. No one should expect all of THAT, and you broke the bank. Or, no, you didn’t spend too much. Everyone received gifts and your credit card didn’t burn a hole in your purse or wallet.
So there’s that. But there is something else that doesn’t resonate much these days, and that is that the best gifts cost nothing. If this is the season of peace on Earth–if this is the time to remind ourselves that we are the answer to many of the problems we face, then the best gifts we can give are acts of human kindness that pay it forward. Being kind, volunteering, helping your neighbors. Helping strangers. These are all gifts we are so often too stingy or too wrapped up in ourselves to give.
Acts of kindness used to be status quo, but as we’ve ‘evolved’ into a ‘me first’ society, these things are now the exception. And that’s too bad.
As we celebrate ourselves this holiday season, let’s step out of the comfort zone and celebrate each other. Let’s be less selfish, less disappointed that we didn’t get what we really wanted for Christmas, less concerned about why those other drivers can’t understand that we’re in a hurry and they need to get out of our way, and more concerned about how we can be more giving, more forgiving, and more kind to one another. That’s the first step in making all of us great again. And the cost? Nada.
Events Calendar
Calendar of Events
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
S Sun
3 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County Conservation UTV Tours
Memorial Day Services In Newton 5/29
Memorial Day Services In Newton 5/29
Memorial Day Monday May 29th. Union cemetery 10AM. if inclement weather it will be at the legion Doug Bishop […]
4 events,
Newton Cardinal Summer Camps
Newton Cardinal Summer Camps
Cardinal Nation, Newton Cardinal Summer Camp Registration is open. As of now we are offering Cardinal Power, […]
This Week in Marshalltown: May 29 – June 3
This Week in Marshalltown: May 29 – June 3
Monday, May 29 - Marshalltown City Band - Freedom Rock (1301 S. 6th St.), 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 31 - Book […]
5 events,
Getting Gary at The Newton Community Theatre
Getting Gary at The Newton Community Theatre
Newton Community Theatre Presents Getting Gary By Brian Mitchell Directed by Mary Thompson Production: June 2, 3, […]
6 events,
Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Kellogg Lions is having a breakfast June 3rd 7-9 in Cabin at Kellogg Park. Pancakes, sausage and […]
4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County Conservation UTV Tours
Newton Cardinal Summer Camps
Getting Gary at The Newton Community Theatre
6 events,
Kellogg Museum Open for Summer
Kellogg Museum Open for Summer
Kellogg Museum is now open for the summer Mon-Fri: 10AM - 3PM Sat: Closed Sunday: 1:30PM - […]
This Week in Marshalltown: June 5-11
This Week in Marshalltown: June 5-11
Tuesday, June 6 - State Co-Ed Tennis Championship - Marshalltown High School, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Wednesday, June […]
7 events,
Monroe’s Got Talent 5/9
Monroe’s Got Talent 5/9
Come Gather With Us! 113 S Monroe St, Monroe Iowa FRIDAY, JUNE 9th, 5pm - 7pm Food […]
11 events,
Newton Masons June Pancake Breakfast
Newton Masons June Pancake Breakfast
The Newton Masons will be holding their June pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 10th, from 7:00-9:00AM. Pancakes, […]
Annual Gravel Bike Ride Event -Prairie Burn 100
Annual Gravel Bike Ride Event -Prairie Burn 100
Prairie Burn 100 Gravel Bike Ride Announced for June 10, 2023 with New 5K Fun Run As […]
The Jack Chadwick Memorial Golf Outing
The Jack Chadwick Memorial Golf Outing
Date: Saturday June 10, 2023 Times: 8 am Flight and 1 pm Flight Prices: $75 per person […]
Gezellig Brewing Run For Beer 6/10
Gezellig Brewing Run For Beer 6/10
We are the Iowa Brewery Running Series™ and we run for beer! See you at Gezellig Brewing […]
Baxter Alumni Banquet
Baxter Alumni Banquet
BAXTER COMMUNITY SCHOOL ALUMNI BANQUET JUNE 10, 2023 AT 6:00pm held in BAXTER SCHOOL COMMONS AREA
4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County Conservation UTV Tours
Newton Cardinal Summer Camps
Kellogg Museum Open for Summer
5 events,
Children’s Theatre Workshop
Children’s Theatre Workshop
Children’s Summer Theatre Workshop – 2023 Play Production Theme: Once Upon a Time…. The goal is to […]
5 events,
OWLS Program Soil Documentary
OWLS Program Soil Documentary
Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program on Wednesday, June 14 […]
4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County Conservation UTV Tours
Newton Cardinal Summer Camps
Kellogg Museum Open for Summer
5 events,
Summer Musical at Calvary CRC in Pella
Summer Musical at Calvary CRC in Pella
The Bible League International of Central Iowa will sponsor the Summer Musical at 2:00 p.m. on June […]