Gratitude should not be a chore

Staff Ed

As we head closer to the holidays, the exciting promise of delicious food, presents and warm lights beckons us. However, there is another aspect to the season. One that we should keep at the forefront of our hearts.  

Prince Wise, at just seven years old, received a heart transplant in 2021. He stayed at the hospital for rehabilitation after the life-saving surgery to recover abilities like walking and talking. Last year, the Make-A-Wish foundation contacted Wise to grant him a trip to theme parks in Florida. After Wise’s second chance at life, he paid it forward through fundraising with Make-A-Wish. With his love for cooking and a noble cause, Wise worked alongside Chef Fernando Canales to make the perfect crab cakes to sell. 

It can often be overwhelming when we consider giving back to the community and programs that have brought us up. Nevertheless, it does not have to be as complicated as we may believe. Altruism and paying it forward does not necessitate an age or a monetary requirement. We can still make an impact, no matter how small or simple. Wise’s story can be an example for all of us to follow. 

Using his passion for cooking and seafood, Wise’s gratitude transformed into action, aiding the very cause that helped him in times of difficulty. His deeds remain a reminder of how personal and genuine paying it forward can be. We can all follow Wise’s lead by reflecting on the significant people and programs in our lives. There are a myriad of ways in which we could give our thanks and reciprocate their investment in our growth. 

Let us all come together to give back this holiday season. We could find something we care deeply about and volunteer. Donate to that charity that always catches your attention. Support that food bank you have been hearing about. Write a kind letter to that teacher who has been supportive and empathetic since the beginning of the school year. Even if our resources and time are limited, small gestures can be a great way to show our compassion. 

Paying it forward should not feel like an obligation. These acts of giving should come from our own volition and genuine appreciation, not from societal pressure and a guilty conscience. At times, it can be easy to slip into the mindset that we are giving back because we owe something. The only result from this perspective is the dismantling of the joy behind giving.