Cultivating Humility for the Holidays

The holiday season is supposed to be the season for giving. But sometimes it seems that this is when the craziness sets in. Egos get bigger, people vie for position by having huge Christmas light displays. giving the best gifts, having the biggest parties, or making the best food. All this chaos takes away from the true spirit of the holidays, pushing humility out the window.

Kahlil Gibran says that "the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention." You don't have to have a new wing of the local hospital names after you, or host a dinner party for 100 homeless families. In fact, the best acts of humility are often small and unnoticed. Here are 10 things to can do to start on this humble path:

1. Give to a charity in the name Anonymous.
2. Do something nice for someone everyday and not tell anyone about it.
3. Pick up trash from a local park.
4. Make small gifts or crafts and leave them in a public area with a sign saying, "Free, take one."
5. Help a child get up after falling down.
6. Smile at everyone you come across during the day, whether you know them or not.
7. Leave a bag of groceries at someone's door with a note saying Happy Holidays.
8. Donate travel-size toiletries to the local homeless shelter.
9. Adopt a child through a charity and don't tell anyone about it.
10. Leave wrapped gifts under a tree in a homeless shelter or other facility without marking who they are from.