My last five posts were about the month of November being
declared the “month of thanks.” I’m surprised that no one has declared December
as the “month of cheer”, or the “month of good tidings”. It seemed like a good idea to me, when that
idea hit my brain, so I decided that maybe I should start it. I figured, maybe
one post a week, for a total of four posts for the month of December, should
probably do it.
Well, it’s December 13th. Two weeks in. No posts.
And it’s not that there isn’t anything to cheer about, to be glad about. This is the time of year where people start giving “in the spirit of the holidays”. This is the time of year where random groups of people appear seemingly out of nowhere and start singing, as I witnessed in the Williamsport, PA Panera Bread last year, and as I witnessed in the (Rochester) Skyway this week. It’s the time of year where random acts of kindness are much less random and much more prevalent.
BUT…I find myself fighting this pull of negativity that occurs at this time of year. I have to ignore the whole political-correctness debate about whether one should use the word “holidays” instead of the word Christmas. WHICH – my stance is this: anyone who says “Happy Holidays” has good intentions and is trying to be safe, and can’t that be enough? Who gets offended by good-intentioned well wishes? Or the even worse, the poor-attempt-at-humor catch-all Christmakwanzakah?
Well, it’s December 13th. Two weeks in. No posts.
And it’s not that there isn’t anything to cheer about, to be glad about. This is the time of year where people start giving “in the spirit of the holidays”. This is the time of year where random groups of people appear seemingly out of nowhere and start singing, as I witnessed in the Williamsport, PA Panera Bread last year, and as I witnessed in the (Rochester) Skyway this week. It’s the time of year where random acts of kindness are much less random and much more prevalent.
BUT…I find myself fighting this pull of negativity that occurs at this time of year. I have to ignore the whole political-correctness debate about whether one should use the word “holidays” instead of the word Christmas. WHICH – my stance is this: anyone who says “Happy Holidays” has good intentions and is trying to be safe, and can’t that be enough? Who gets offended by good-intentioned well wishes? Or the even worse, the poor-attempt-at-humor catch-all Christmakwanzakah?
And as much as I love the show Seinfeld, and as much as I
routinely laugh at the Festivus episode, I don’t need to celebrate the Airing
of Grievances. I celebrate that every day.
What? Month of cheer? Oops. I meant to state the above as all tongue-in-cheek.
But then there are the commercials…those over-inundating commercials. “Every kiss begins with Kay.” So does every knuckle sandwich. And those let’s-go-out-to-the-circular-driveway-to-see-you-new-Lexus-wrapped-in-a-bow presents? AARGH!
And then…and then…...all the Who girls and boys would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
And then…and then, then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast. And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
And THEN…and THEN…every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, would stand close together, with Christmas bells ringing. They'd stand hand-in-hand. And the Whos would start singing! They'd sing! And they'd sing! AND they'd SING! SING! SING! SING!
AND THEN...AND THEN…when did I become a Grinch, while attempting to write about cheer?
OK…I need to take a step back.
In all seriousness, this is supposed to be a great time of year, but there really are so many things out there to deal with; stressors that, by name, are stressful, but in the midst of the expectations of the season get magnified. I know people in my circles that are going through divorces, which are in real fear of losing their jobs, or have yet to find jobs after already having lost theirs. I know people in my circles who have recently lost loved ones, and who still mourn over those who have passed even if almost 30 years ago. I know people in my circles who are one step away from being homeless (and who aren’t in control of being able to prevent that step if it were to occur.) I know someone who I have a legit concern is actually homeless. I know people in my circles who are depressed, and for those who don’t know what that is like, that is not something that is a snap-of-the-fingers, “oh, it’s December, let me just turn this depression switch off” issue. I know people in my circles who will be spending the holiday alone, unable to see their families.
And yet, my point? This is supposed to be a month of cheer, of celebration, of giving. When I take a step back, I keep coming to this point, and really, the point embedded in this is…taking a step back.
STOP. Forget for a moment about Black Friday, and Small-Business Saturday (as much as I like the concept), and Cyber Monday. Forget for a moment about rushing to get your cards in the mail before that date where, if you miss it, your well-wishes mailed in card form might be late. (Are well wishes diminished if late?) Forget for a moment about the perfect present; forget about the history of each of the holidays included in the broad term “holidays.”
STOP. Take a moment. Take a step back. Appreciate what you have. Be sympathetic towards those who have less, to those who have fears, and stresses. Give of yourself, your time, your well wishes. Even if just for a moment. There are plenty of grievances to be aired, and plenty of other times to air them – let’s put all that aside, at least just for a little while (me included)?
What? Month of cheer? Oops. I meant to state the above as all tongue-in-cheek.
But then there are the commercials…those over-inundating commercials. “Every kiss begins with Kay.” So does every knuckle sandwich. And those let’s-go-out-to-the-circular-driveway-to-see-you-new-Lexus-wrapped-in-a-bow presents? AARGH!
And then…and then…...all the Who girls and boys would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
And then…and then, then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast. And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
And THEN…and THEN…every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, would stand close together, with Christmas bells ringing. They'd stand hand-in-hand. And the Whos would start singing! They'd sing! And they'd sing! AND they'd SING! SING! SING! SING!
AND THEN...AND THEN…when did I become a Grinch, while attempting to write about cheer?
OK…I need to take a step back.
In all seriousness, this is supposed to be a great time of year, but there really are so many things out there to deal with; stressors that, by name, are stressful, but in the midst of the expectations of the season get magnified. I know people in my circles that are going through divorces, which are in real fear of losing their jobs, or have yet to find jobs after already having lost theirs. I know people in my circles who have recently lost loved ones, and who still mourn over those who have passed even if almost 30 years ago. I know people in my circles who are one step away from being homeless (and who aren’t in control of being able to prevent that step if it were to occur.) I know someone who I have a legit concern is actually homeless. I know people in my circles who are depressed, and for those who don’t know what that is like, that is not something that is a snap-of-the-fingers, “oh, it’s December, let me just turn this depression switch off” issue. I know people in my circles who will be spending the holiday alone, unable to see their families.
And yet, my point? This is supposed to be a month of cheer, of celebration, of giving. When I take a step back, I keep coming to this point, and really, the point embedded in this is…taking a step back.
STOP. Forget for a moment about Black Friday, and Small-Business Saturday (as much as I like the concept), and Cyber Monday. Forget for a moment about rushing to get your cards in the mail before that date where, if you miss it, your well-wishes mailed in card form might be late. (Are well wishes diminished if late?) Forget for a moment about the perfect present; forget about the history of each of the holidays included in the broad term “holidays.”
STOP. Take a moment. Take a step back. Appreciate what you have. Be sympathetic towards those who have less, to those who have fears, and stresses. Give of yourself, your time, your well wishes. Even if just for a moment. There are plenty of grievances to be aired, and plenty of other times to air them – let’s put all that aside, at least just for a little while (me included)?
(...with hopefully obvious excerpts of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss)
A really nice thought and something important at this time of year. Actually it is important all year long.
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