Makes Me Feel
“You’ve got 10 days to live…what were you thinking?”
The holidays are gettin close and everyone’s hustlin to get their Christmas gifts for the fam and friends and yet amongst all the joy and candor, there’s still that solemn feeling….it goes along with the chill in the air.
While Americans scramble from store to store, sale to sale….sometimes you might not see the holiday cheer. In it’s place you’ll see stress, fear, irritation, and a mix of other dark feelings that just look out of place. So why is it that during such a fantastic and happy time of year, are people wearing such masks? It’s all this blasted shopping that goes to their heads! It’s that freakin sale at Wal Mart where old ladies are mega morpisized into raging hulks swinging canes at 5 year old girls for even glancing at the toy that granny wanted to get for her grandkid. It’s the kinda sale that gives people the idea that it would be a good idea to get a crew of their bros and block whole isles whilst they fill their carts with all the goods. Are you freakin serious?!?! Is this crap that freakin worth it that we would pack in front of stores, hours before opening and then proceed to trample old women and small children under foot just to get a freakin discount?!?! What could possibly be going through your mind to even remotely rationalize that kind of behaviour…how do you live with yourself afterwards knowing that you were one of those people who trampled that old person to get a freakin pair of slacks for 15 bucks!! Or a damned video game system that is not only going to easily be available at a later time, in greater numbers, with possibly even better options?
I find it hilarious that it takes one of the greatest holidays ever to bring out some of the worst…most savage moments of humans. I’m pretty sure that anyone with any common sense can see the moral decay there. Obviously we’ve lost site of what this season is about. It’s about Santa and a bunch of elves running around in tights and flying reindeer with oddball names like cupid…who names a freakin reindeer cupid? It’s about big boxes wrapped in glittery colors with humungous bows on them and pine trees severed at the base to be propped up and sustained indoors so as to mimic their natural existence…or is it.
I say forget all this stuff for one day. Don’t go shopping today….don’t take advantage of that sale….forget that laptop you’ve always wanted. When someone asks you what you want for Christmas, tell them you want to have a nice dinner at home…with the family, that their company will be the greatest gift they could give. It doesn’t even have to be family….some of us aren’t as blessed to be so lucky. Invite a friend who may be lonely this winter. Instead of worrying about what to get them, just give them some company…some compassion. Gifts are a cheap way to someones heart…and alot of times it doesnt work, or is misinterpreted. Forget about your traditions and the way “Christmas should be”, cuz we obviously don’t have a hang of it anymore.
I say this Christmas just tell someone you love em….someone that you haven’t said it to in a while….a few years maybe. Show some affection to someone who doesn’t deserve it. Kill them with kindness. You may think that sounds pathetic, but there is no stronger emotion….it’s moved mountains. Love was enough reason for a man to die for all of the human race. You can easily show a little to someone who needs it. And for those who may think someone is not deserving of your love….who is? Your Heavenly Father loves you…and you deserve none of it.
So stop with the traditions and just show some stinkin compassion. Just try to cheer someone up….it’ll feel alot better than it will giving them that tie….or those socks. To see someone’s eyes light up from true hapiness…and not that of procured delight…that’s a gift.
“Love your neighbor, even as yourself.”
This is VERY true….. people get too caught up in shopping around Christmas time. The REAL reason of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, family and friends.
Good stuff, little buddy. Keep it coming.
p.s. what are you getting me for christmas?
like my cuz laura from the Oside would say… heath i love yah like i love Little Ceasers Pizza along with a large glass topped off with Dr. Pepper (not diet dr. pepper but regular dr. pepper). finished off with some malted crunch ice cream drowned in m&ms.
hmmmmmmmmmmm chocolattttttttttttttttttttteeeeeeee.
your friend from the so cal “the land of sand angels instead of snow angels”,
cheers :beer:
bigd
Terrific post! But my Christmas shopping is done, packaged, and mailed as we only buy for deployed military now. I declared to the family that they need nothing and want nothing so that’s what they’re getting. They agreed. So for the past 2 years we all shop together and they pick out things for ‘their’ soldier. Now our most fun event is actually the early shopping trip and enjoying a nice lunch together. On the other hand, Chad might have the right idea
Oh, just a side note on BigD’s comment. Just so you know, and it’s actually something most people don’t realize, Dr Pepper has no dot after the “Dr”. It’s one of those quirky things that only nerds such as myself know. Go figure.
oh… thanks Dr. Pam
You’re very welcome. I’ll be sending your bill courtesy of SF. Merry Christmas!
GREAT post, SF! Great job, and I heartily agree!
And I’ll throw this out there… in addition to tellin your family/friends how much you luv ‘em all…. THANK A SERVICEMEMBER AND ANY VETERANS YOU MAY KNOW!! WRite a letter, send a card, bake some cookies, send an email of support… just ANYTHING to let our dear Heroes know how much we appreciate them!!! Holidays are SOOOOOO hard for those who are away from home!!!
/steps off of soapbox now.
Great message, thanks….
Some of my most fulfilling Christmas past experiences have to do with volunteering time and donating gifts to homeless shelters. For the past few Christmases I have begun a tradition of giving homemade gifts. I don’t know if the recipients enjoyed them 1/2 as much as I enjoyed making, but I have gotten no complaints. It feels so much more right to me this way. ML
SK and Kat have it right! Careful of injuries thought… Have developed carpal tunnel addressing cards and letters. Moved to cookies - also getting sore. And those boxes - glad the post office folks know me by now - and no, my picture is not posted!
I have been amazed and humbled. I have even gotten thank you notes (already) from soldiers to whom I have simply sent a simple Christmas card. So start writing, folks!!!