This Christmas season I’m especially attune to the disparity between the affluence of American gift giving and the absolute poverty of others. Organizations such as the Advent Conspiracy bring to light the devastating lack of basic needs in many third-world countries. I’m torn between buying presents as normal (and neglecting the needs of others outside my social circle) or forgoing gift-giving this year and donating the funds (thereby hampering the experience of those close to me who perhaps don’t share my compassion).

My friend Jamie wrote about her thoughts on the subject and the ensuing dilemma of exchanging gifts with her family and children. I can totally sympathize; how do you explain to a three- or four-year-old that he won’t be getting gifts this year, even though all his friends are? Can you expect your family to go along with your charity, even if it’s not an issue to them? Isn’t there some balance to be had?

I’m not sure what the perfect answer is. Maybe I should feel guilty because I have a decent apartment and a decent car and I can give gifts to my family at Christmas. Maybe I should live as meagerly as possible and donate all my extra cash. Or maybe not. Maybe either extreme isn’t healthy.

For 2009 I’ve committed to sponsor a child through Compassion International, an organization that provides for the economic and social welfare of impoverished children around the world. My new buddy’s name is Angello, he lives in the Dominican Republic, and (through no coincidence of choice) we share the same birthday. My sister is collecting soap and shampoo for the homeless in Houston and donating to the Star of Hope Mission (you can contact her at michelle.higgins [at] att.net if you want to help out). Jamie is finding comfort in providing for her children and supporting others.

I still don’t know what the perfect answer is, but as with everything in life, balance is key.

Here’s to sharing the true joy and love of Christmas.

The past two days of post-election reactions disturbed me. In a time when most of the country is celebrating the fulfillment of the civil rights movement, when even the opposing party recognizes the momentous achievement that has taken place, several people in my life have revealed inappropriate, and frankly, disgusting opinions.

I’ve received forwarded text messages containing colored jokes, chain-emails bashing the ascension of a black man to the head of our great country. Some have expressed their apprehension in personal conversation. I even heard a racist joke at a church group.

Is this really the way people think?

One of my good (white) friends and his wife have an adopted black son and are adopting two more children from Haiti. Another couple close to me recently adopted a black baby here in the States. When I get to see them, play with them, spend time with them, I can’t imagine the ignorance that causes someone to make hurtful and derogatory comments toward them for such a distinction. Why doesn’t this empathy carry over into the adult world?

I don’t understand the thought process that goes into bigotry. How can people so readily abandon their calls for love, equality, and justice… as soon as the people group in question doesn’t have the same ethnic background as them? I find this especially difficult to digest when someone quotes a Bible verse to me one day and makes a racial slur the next.

There is no justification for racial prejudice.

This election season feels like the longest of my admittedly short voting history. With under two weeks to go until November 4th, I find myself just wanting the whole mess to be over. Last Monday the great state of Texas opened polls for early-voting and I took advantage of the opportunity to avoid long lines and cast my ballot right on the university campus. Besides artificially forcing my decision between two candidates, the election race taught me a few things about my perspective on modern American politics.

Opinions, ideologies, left, right, platforms and planks. The political arena tries to force absolutes upon a broad spectrum of issues, with politicians and parties proclaiming the virtues of their perspective and vehemently demeaning the opposing view. Some of my friends morn the fact that I could even consider supporting a candidate from a party separate than their own. Since when is life so black and white?

One thing I’ve learned at the ripe ‘ol age of twenty-two is that no issue ever has a simple answer. I attempt to think independently and make decisions from objective research–rather than simply absorbing the news machine–and thus don’t think it possible or wise to fully embrace one political party over the other. Both sides are built upon hard-working, well-meaning Americans. Both sides have some great goals and plans to get there. They both also have some methods that, in my not-so-humble opinion, are flat wrong.

The bottom line is that the system is flawed. I think there are but few who will disagree with that statement. I don’t profess to know what adjustments need to be made or even to have a complete grasp on all the influences that are currently in play, but I do know where we need to begin: with ourselves.

Significant change comes from the bottom-up, not the other way around. Ideology shifts are not legislated, but enacted my ordinary Americans in their daily lives. Granted, certain significant legal decisions have greatly aided such movements as during the Civil Rights Era, but action by citizens paved the way. We can’t sit around and leave elected officials to do the work for us.

Personal convictions often cause people to vote along a single issue. For example, many who are religious have traditionally leaned Republican because of their stance against abortion, but now some of those same groups are looking Democrat because of their desire to have the country address issues such as poverty, humanitarian aid, and the environment. These are great and justifiable causes, but simply casting a vote isn’t enough.

Cameron Strange, publisher and founder of Relevant magazine, puts it this way:

“If [you have] a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that–whether or not the President shares your same values.”

Vote. That’s our privilege and responsibility as Americans. But don’t let your commitment stop there. If you are passionate about an issue, get out and do something about it. Volunteer, join a non-profit, donate your time or funds–heck, write a blog post. Don’t take the easy route and simply cast judgment on those who don’t share your views. To quote Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Challenge yourself this election cycle.