so how much does one have to pay it forward in order to feel better???

So....I have noticed an interesting trend in people this holiday season....the amazing trend of I have been so selfish that I MUST do something nice for humanity, that I MUST pay it forward.....News flash folks, atonement does not happen when you place that loose change in the red kettle, or when you decided that you should cut back since you have had a cut in pay, when last few years you spent every extra dime that you had or did not have in a gluttonous shopping spree or when you mail a few Christmas cards to soldiers, when last year you could have cared less. These two sins are referenced in Charles Dickens story "A Christmas Carol"...The spirit finally reveals to Scrooge two emaciated children, subhuman in appearance and loathsome to behold, clinging to his robes, and names the boy as Ignorance and the girl as Want. The spirit warns Scrooge, "Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased."
Ok why the reference you ask, well dear bloggers, Ignorance and Want seem to be a theme that I have watched all year this year. Through the circle of individuals that I have or had considered to be my friend....yet, no matter the level of giving that they have received from me, whether it be in assistance, a listening ear or monetary flow, I have seen the same two children that appeared under that ghosts robes....ignorance and want....people wanting more and more and me being ignorant enough to believe that they were honest in their intention of being a friend. That when they realized that there was nothing else to be had that they have moved onto bigger and better people. Remember this quote kids..."water finds it's own level."
So in a way this blog is a warped dedication to those out there who used what they could and have moved on and are now trying desperately to grasp at straws to make yourselves feel better, the one thing is, I won't name names, so please don't ask....you know who you are....and fyi.....there is no atonement for ignorance and want....no matter how hard you try....the best thing you can do is offer an apology to the person...who's feelings you stepped on....and hope that atonement would be offered in the form of them accepting your apology.