In my entire life I've never wanted a gift more than time with my family during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Even the thought that one of my family members would give up free family time to wrestle for toys, clothes and other items, slightly sickens me. Throughout my life, I've been very happy for all that I've had and never wanted for anything more. I've wanted to give more, but never once have I craved an item to fulfill my life. Not even as a child. When I was younger, I asked for one thing every year. A new Nerf football. That was my Christmas/Hanukkah list every year.
While glimpsing at the news on my phone and reading of bomb threats, brawls and alleged shootings, it saddened me that in my brief life, the world has become such a materialistic place. Every morning Facebook sickens me with pics and posts of engagement rings, new cars, vacation spots and other shows of decadence, while millions can't even put a tuna sandwich and a salad on the table. Clean water is a luxury for so many humans on this planet, yet I'm inundated with demands to donate to the life of a dog. When did we become this way?
On Thanksgiving and the following day, now dubbed Black Friday, I passed by no less than five homeless people. The frigid air made my heart sink as one older gentleman pushed a shopping cart along the side of a long road. Where was he going? Was a turkey dinner in his future? What was his story? It truly saddened me to see this man with all his life's belongings fitting into a tiny cart, while others threw punches over an Xbox. Kids are getting dumber. They are growing up with health problems from lack of activity. They lack the life and social skills required to survive and more and more of them will end up like that poor man on the side of the road. Where was his family?
Poverty has always been a problem in this country, but with the increase in size and the lack of jobs, it's becoming overrun with those in need. For the past two or three years, I've gone without gift giving. It pains me to spend money on a "thing" when the meaning of the season is togetherness. I don't pretend to suffer this time of year. I'm warm, I eat well and I enjoy it thoroughly, but experience and age has made me realize that a tangible item isn't what happiness is about. It's not what anything is about. Religions of all types ask us not to covet materials, yet those who call themselves devout smother themselves the most. They ask us to give of our riches and help those less fortunate, yet in our capitalist society, we've lost that mindset.
Black Friday came and went. Many, including those I call friends, joined the masses. Many did not. Many viewed the charade for what it was. Many spent quality time with those who they've been too busy to do so with. Many traveled home from Thanksgiving celebrations and others just played games and sat around and enjoyed each other's company.
Maybe I'm being reflective too early, but it's funny how those who have turned against me over the past year or two all have one thing in common. They are all controlled and manipulated by the almighty dollar. They all claim to have Jesus in their lives, but know not the meaning of his words. They all also have put me down for my lack of greed, wealth and accumulation of items. They brag about their dinners out, their shows, their cars, homes and their wonderful jobs. They all, without exception, have asked me to compare myself to them in the way they see themselves and then belittle me, but they are all empty. They all have the same things lacking. They lack the same closeness I have with my immediate family. They take for granted those members and make excuses for them. They see their material life as a symbol of success, but I know these people and they never smile. They never take joy out of the little things in life. Their lives are consumed with comparison and envy of that one thing that can't achieve.
This year, I'm thankful, I'm not like any of them.
While glimpsing at the news on my phone and reading of bomb threats, brawls and alleged shootings, it saddened me that in my brief life, the world has become such a materialistic place. Every morning Facebook sickens me with pics and posts of engagement rings, new cars, vacation spots and other shows of decadence, while millions can't even put a tuna sandwich and a salad on the table. Clean water is a luxury for so many humans on this planet, yet I'm inundated with demands to donate to the life of a dog. When did we become this way?
On Thanksgiving and the following day, now dubbed Black Friday, I passed by no less than five homeless people. The frigid air made my heart sink as one older gentleman pushed a shopping cart along the side of a long road. Where was he going? Was a turkey dinner in his future? What was his story? It truly saddened me to see this man with all his life's belongings fitting into a tiny cart, while others threw punches over an Xbox. Kids are getting dumber. They are growing up with health problems from lack of activity. They lack the life and social skills required to survive and more and more of them will end up like that poor man on the side of the road. Where was his family?
Poverty has always been a problem in this country, but with the increase in size and the lack of jobs, it's becoming overrun with those in need. For the past two or three years, I've gone without gift giving. It pains me to spend money on a "thing" when the meaning of the season is togetherness. I don't pretend to suffer this time of year. I'm warm, I eat well and I enjoy it thoroughly, but experience and age has made me realize that a tangible item isn't what happiness is about. It's not what anything is about. Religions of all types ask us not to covet materials, yet those who call themselves devout smother themselves the most. They ask us to give of our riches and help those less fortunate, yet in our capitalist society, we've lost that mindset.
Black Friday came and went. Many, including those I call friends, joined the masses. Many did not. Many viewed the charade for what it was. Many spent quality time with those who they've been too busy to do so with. Many traveled home from Thanksgiving celebrations and others just played games and sat around and enjoyed each other's company.
Maybe I'm being reflective too early, but it's funny how those who have turned against me over the past year or two all have one thing in common. They are all controlled and manipulated by the almighty dollar. They all claim to have Jesus in their lives, but know not the meaning of his words. They all also have put me down for my lack of greed, wealth and accumulation of items. They brag about their dinners out, their shows, their cars, homes and their wonderful jobs. They all, without exception, have asked me to compare myself to them in the way they see themselves and then belittle me, but they are all empty. They all have the same things lacking. They lack the same closeness I have with my immediate family. They take for granted those members and make excuses for them. They see their material life as a symbol of success, but I know these people and they never smile. They never take joy out of the little things in life. Their lives are consumed with comparison and envy of that one thing that can't achieve.
This year, I'm thankful, I'm not like any of them.
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