Season’s Greetings to my fellow University of Arkansas Black Alumni Society (BAS) old, new and future members!

Now that we are well within the holiday season, if you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, spouses or significant others, I hope all are aware of their expectation of receiving a “Christmas gift.”  Their focus is on the gift.  To be more specific, their focus is on the receiving of the gift.  After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? When I was much younger, I must admit that I thought so too.  I must also confess that my narrow and naïve focus was solely on the gift as well.  And I have been extremely blessed to be on the receiving end of countless gifts throughout my life.  The gifts have ranged from advice, knowledge, wisdom and encouragement to mental, emotional, physical and financial. Most of those gifts came from people known to me while others came through the hands and hearts of those unknown to and will never be known by me.  Nevertheless, I am thankful.  I am even more thankful that life’s experiences have broadened my perspective and changed my focus away from the “gift” and to the “gift giver.” Many years ago, I realized that the real value in life lay not so much in the “receiving of gifts” but rather in the “giving of gifts.”  I can honestly say that some of the greatest satisfaction in my life has been in helping someone in need, anonymously.  I didn’t need a “Thank You.” Just to be able to help my fellow man was in and of itself gratification enough.

Having received so many wonderful gifts over the years, I have learned firsthand that the saying is true:  “We make a living by what we get.  We make a life by what we give.”  Just as Christmas is about giving, rather than receiving, I ask that you change your focus from being a “receiver of the gift” to being a “giver of gifts.”  The U of A has some future fellow alumnae of color who are worthy of, in need of and would be most appreciative of your gifts: verbal, physical and fiscal.

Corine and I wish each and every one of you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New Year while  humbly asking that you “Think Back, Look Back, Come Back and Give Back” and thereby make a much better and more successful life for some deserving students of color at the U of A  .

A Luta Continuum,

Bobby W. Jones, M.D.

President, U of A Black Alumni Society