Sometimes Deep . . . Often Random Thoughts

So this is Christmas.  This is probably the first year ever that I haven’t found my Christmas Spirit.  I have been thinking about it and trying to figure out where it so I can go find it.

Here’s the deal, I’m not a Christian, I grew up celebrating Christmas because my Dad is Catholic, so for me the holiday always meant family more than anything.  I have respect for the holiday itself, and what it signifies to those who believe.  Generally my Christmas spirit comes to me by the first of December.  I was a little worried when it didn’t show up, but had high hopes there was still time.  The days went on, the shopping didn’t get done, the lights didn’t go up, the cookies didn’t get baked, and I’m wondering what the heck is wrong with me.   I acknowledge that my Christmas spirit definitely has waned since my Mom passed away, but it has still always come… until this year.  So I sit and I think and I wonder what it could be.

Really nothing has changed, sure I’m a bit busier, I have had a cold, I’ve been tired, but here’s the the discovery that I have made.  I am so saddened by what this HOLYday has become.  Yes, I said it, it is supposed to be a Holy Day.  What has happened to us?  I see so many posts about people being pissed off because they can’t say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays and their so worried about this and that.  That it’s their country and they shouldn’t have to worry about offending anyone so they should be able to say Merry Christmas, and people should have respect and only say Happy Holidays.  I am SO tired of this crap!  Say whatever the hell you want to say, and stop complaining about it and hating on the people who don’t celebrate your chosen holiday, whatever holiday that may be (if you even celebrate a holiday).

We spend so much time harping on how much we disagree with another’s religion or political beliefs that we have completely screwed this holiday season up.  We spend more time posting about how upset we are because we couldn’t get the gifts we wanted to get.  In the meantime, because we have forgotten what this holiday is truly about, and we are a country who can’t go a day without shopping, that all the stores are advertising they are open on Christmas.  Like this is a good thing?  The almighty dollar has become more important than our celebration of this day or the time that we could be spending with our families.

I am truly saddened by what we have come to.  I say it often, but am feeling it so much during this holiday season that it hurts.  Our troops are STILL across the world fighting, there are STILL people who have no homes and no food, there are STILL people dying of Cancer and of AIDs, there are STILL people dying at the hands of their husbands, their wives, and their parents, and all we can think about is how offended we are about not being allowed to offend other people?  For the love of G-d, be grateful and feel blessed if that is truly the biggest thing you have to worry about.  Do you even know how blessed you are?

Tonight, as I write this, I pray that one day each of us can see beyond our difference and love others through them.  Tonight, as I write this, I pull my Christmas spirit out of a box and thank God that I am blessed enough to be able to spend tomorrow with my loved ones, blessed enough to have a hearty meal to share, blessed enough to be loved by my family because I am different.  Tonight, as I write this, I look up to heaven and say Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to my mother.

Tonight, as I write this, I pray for each of you to have a blessed day, regardless of your beliefs or traditions.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever floats your boat.

Blessings.