Christmas Thoughts…
I have decided to write a Christmas Blog. I know it’s a hack move, but frankly I love this time of year, so tough…As I see it, there are two kinds of people who celebrate Christmas… those who see it as a religious holiday, and those who love the festiveness, the frivolity and the jolly old fat guy in the tacky red suit.
Regardless, the season conjures a variety of memories, feelings, and emotions. It causes those with a predisposition toward optimism to become downright exuberant, and prompts the cynical to abandon hope. It can either inspire some to plug back into a part of themselves they thought might be slipping away, or summon one’s angst to the surface.
But perhaps I might be able to offer a different perspective…
Christmas is not really about us, our happiness or our despair. It relates more to those in both our immediate and extended periphery. While it is common to either party or sulk around the holidays, both of those pursuits involve a self-indulgent, superficial approach to the season. If nothing else, Christmas time provides the opportunity for all of us to reconnect, touch the lives of others, and to allow those who love us to remember why.
The truth is, the greatest gift we can give is to ourselves. It is allowing each of us to become the type of person that positively affects our surroundings. A phone call, an E-mail or even a Facebook post can usually do the trick, sometimes it is something as benign as our inter-active demeanor. When it comes right down to it, Christmas is really about finding the divine in us.
Should we be this type of person throughout the year? Of course we should. But like I said, Christmas is not about our individual state of mind, rather it is about other people’s perceptions, and how we have the ability to make their world a better place. This season causes such heightened emotions that it enhances our ability to positively impact our surroundings. It is rarely about the size of a gift; rather it’s making others feel cared about.
So regardless of whether you are a theist or a non-believer…whether or not you buy into the hoopla, hate paying retail, or even see the point… whether you are a Pollyanna or a Pessimist… From lil’ ole’ me to all of you:
Ho Ho Ho Folks…. And Merry Friggin’ Christmas…
Posted on December 20, 2009, in Archived Posts and tagged Catholics, Christmas, Holidays, Macys, Nordstroms, religion, Shopping. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
If I was not sick of this crap before this last week, after spending three large, I am ready to kill. F this “Most wonderful time of the year” in it’s pie hole.
The world is a better place with me in it 🙂
And a Merry F’ing Xmas to you and yours!
Personally, I see the holidays at this time of year as a laugh in the face of the cold and dark. There’s a reason why all the good (well, all the stuff that pops up in our “traditional” festivities) comes from Northern Europe.
The days have gotten really short, and the nights are long. It’s cold – things are freezing over. Animals have all migrated away or are hibernating. Trees have shed their leaves, and everything looks dead.
What better time to get together with people you like and celebrate the fact that you aren’t dead yet? Deck your halls with bits of the few plants that still show signs of life! Scare away the darkness with a mass of colored lights! Party hearty, so if the world really does freeze solid in a Fimbulwinter, you’ll go out with a smile and a laugh. And hopefully no regrets.
If people want to add religious meanings to this, that’s fine with me.
To your health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year,
rtpoe
Hey Rich!
I really enjoyed this blog. Merry Christmas and enjoy…whatever makes you happy about this season.
Here’s to you….CHEERS!
Brenda ; )