It’s that time of the year where the good, the bad, and the ugly meet. Generally, most of us want to get into the spirit of the holidays and become more conscious of our fellow humans. A season of giving, whether its financially or spiritually.  It’s a time to contribute to humankind and to show our generosity through the gift of giving. That’s the good.

Here comes the bad. Not everyone is well intended. There are people who prey on other people’s generosity and naïveté. Bad comes in all types, but greed is usually the driving force. It’s greed that overtakes the jeweler who switches out 18K gold for 10K gold or diamonds for cut glass. It's the venue that overcharges the company wanting to have a Christmas party for employees. Greed can overtake the best of people.

Here comes the ugly. I remember one business whose routine practice was to gouge customers and take advantage of numerous non-profits. That business was always looking for a free ride from advertisers, seeking free money, and conspiring with other like-minded businesses. None the less, as the story goes, for years this business operated off of cheating their customers. People lost jobs as result of the unethical practices. 

However, if you believe that good eventually wins out, you'll like the rest of the story. The owner of the business was gently and legally escorted off the premises. Certainly, not the type of business anyone would care to celebrate.

The moral of the story is to enjoy being generous with an open heart, but also do it with an open mind. Understand that not everyone is like minded. Yes, sooner or later the truth wins out but it just may not happen in the time you wish.

Work hard, be productive, and, above all else, stay positive.
 
Peggy White
Executive Director
Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce
peggywhite@pulaskichamber.info