We are coming onto Christmas 2014, only a day away before some of us begin to celebrate with family and friends. For others, this is a time of sadness, a time of loneliness and harsh emotional undoing. For some of us it is a time for introspection, of considerable thought about where we are, who we are and what we might want for ourselves and those we love.
For me, this past year has been a roller coaster. Don’t mistake me, I love roller coasters; hell, I miss roller coasters. The day my doctor said, ‘it is probably a bad idea for you to ride roller coasters anymore’, I wanted to weep. That was many years ago, I have ridden a few since that day and discovered much to my chagrin he was right; don’t you hate it when that happens? There are many things I could say about this year, some I believe I will keep to myself, forever and ever, amen; some, I will say because it needs to be said and some I will say only if and when the opportunity presents itself to say to the person who needs to hear it.
This though is about the holidays, specifically this is about Christmas and the changing of the year. It is also about what I have observed.
First, people are insane. For the most part, people are downright crazy mean. Why is it the season that should bring out the best in people brings out the nastiest and ugliest in people? I mean really, will little Tom or Sally just DIE if they don’t get that latest toy under the tree? Did you really just shove that woman to grab the last one off the shelf at Wal-Mart? Are you really in such a hurry you cut off that woman with three children so your azz could have a parking spot closer to the door? Did you truly just say to the elderly couple in line ahead of you, ‘can’t you move any faster?’
Gawd, you people suck so badly it is difficult for me to even believe we are related somewhere back in time. Do you know what else is difficult for me comprehend?
Next on my list, the just downright mean and nasty across social media right now, really people give it a rest would you please. We all know what you think on any give subject, but must you spew your bile all over everything at this time of the year? Worse yet, must you do it all over everyone else’s timelines and pages? Honestly, if you disagree with someone is it impossible for you to do so with civility and common courtesy? Better yet, how difficult is it for you too simply move along? I will admit, I love a good debate as much as the next person but if the only thing you bring to the table is fictional talking points made up by some squirt mouth in the backroom of Faux, The Heritage Foundation or WorldNet Daily then please do us all a favor, keep it too yourself. I truly am all for diverse opinions and mixed government, fully in support of a true democratic solution (which we do not have today). Nevertheless, at this time of the year, you know ‘peace on earth and goodwill to men’, is it imperative you beat down those who think differently from you?
I have deleted and blocked more people on Facebook and other social media sites in the past five weeks than I have in the entire past year. Is it, is it me or them?
Finally, let us for just one minute talk about your religion, it is after all one of the cornerstones of your life; right? After all, you have spent the better part of the past several centuries trying to enforce your morality, based on your religion on others. You have done this enforcing and force-feeding through wars, legislation and just plain simple making it miserable for everyone around you who doesn’t believe like you do. Now frankly the insane part of this is, you are all nodding your heads right now and thinking to yourself, ‘Yeah, those f’ng (insert other religion here) sure are a bunch of Fundamentalist / Extremist / Terrorist / Nutjobs’. The fact is, all of you all are exactly all of those things if you can’t leave well enough alone, can’t leave other folks alone to believe what they choose to believe and can’t see for just one minute, you can’t be the only ‘right’ way if there are over four thousand (4,000) other ‘right’ ways out there right this very minute, all of which believe they are ‘right’. So give it a rest, would you please.
By the way American’s in particular, no, no, no! America is not and never was intended to be a ‘Christian Nation’. It was intended to be a nation of laws. While the majority of you may be Christians, this does not change the Declaration of Independence and its intent, it does not change the Constitution and its intent. It also does not change all of the writings by those who wrote those two documents on their intent regarding the Nation and its relation to Religion, read up on this if you have any questions. Your desire to bend history, making it more palatable to your desires is both pitiful and frightening. Pitiful because it shows the shallowness of your intellect, frightening because it shows your willingness to sink our nation into ignorance to achieve your goals.
Those are my three peeves as we come into the holiday season and the New Year. Do I think it is getting better? No, in fact I think this nation is sinking fast, compassion and empathy seem to be in short supply and ignorance is on the rise, even celebrated. As a nation, we seem to have lost something, perhaps it is our soul. I am saddened by the great chasm dividing us as a people.
For me? I am going to try to do better this coming year. I am going to try to visit you more often. I am going to try to write more frequently, spread my wings to more subjects and see the world beyond my backyard. I am going to try to engage my community and do more than speak.
For the season? I will be with my family and I hope all of you will be with those you love. I am going to try to remind myself to tell those I love, whether family by blood or by choice that I love them and am grateful to have them in my life.
So with that off my chest and out of my system.
QBG_Tilted Tiara 
Well said Val on all counts.. and this is why I so so love ya.. 🙂
You caused me to giggle, thank you Sue.
—– inspiring, encouraging post, Val.
My goal is to GIVE MORE and think of myself LESS.
I mean, that’s why we are here upon earth, right.
Love you. xx HAPPY 2015
It is, yes that is why we are here. I think I would like to follow your example, you always remind me.
Love you also!
Jubilant 2015
Val, I escaped NYC at the right time to avoid the nastinest on the subway, at the store, in the airport or on my plane. This year I just got lucky and timed it right. At the moment, I’n chilling on my sister’s sofa with Thurber the Family Dog as my niece bakes cookies. Basically taking it easy until 2015. I wish you Happy Holidays and fewer encounters with nasty types in the year ahead.
What a lovely way to spend the holiday rush! Sounds perfectly enticing.
Have a continued relaxing and jubilant holiday season.
Thank you for this post, Valentine. It is from your heart, and I appreciate that. I totally agree with all you’ve said and all (most) of what the commenters say. All we can do – those of good heart – is continue to be of good heart, and the more we show it, I believe the more it will have a positive effect on those around us. A joyous Christmas to you and your family. 😀 And to all!!!
You are so right, perhaps if we show some kindness and good spirit it will infect others. You and I can hope for this. I know I do.
Happy and Joyous Holiday Season, Merry Christmas.
Hey Val don’t forget to pour a glass of wine
at midnight, and I will raise a glass in your honour,
I might even have a few chocolates lined up for
us 🙂 How do you mean who is us? You and me
of course, we’re not sharing our wine and chocolates
with anyone else that’s for sure 🙂 lol
It will soon be 2015 so let’s kick 2014’s ass out the
window and party like it’s a Zombie Apocalypse 😉 🙂
Only jelly brains though we don’t want to upset
the neighbours 🙂 Have a lovely time and be good,
I always am, as you know 😉
Andro xxxx
I have just the wine my friend, Sin Zin!
One large glass of wine
coming your way Val 😉 🙄
Andro xxxx
It’s the season to be jolly Falalalala. Have a wonderful Christmas Val. I will be Falalalalaing despite the bah humbugs.
Me too Loon, I am going to try very hard to find the blessings and the good.
Have a jubilant Christmas.
It’s not you, Val. It’s all the other clowns who think they’re right, regardless of the facts. That’s why I always say the more I get to know people, the more I love my dog!
I am with you on that one Alejandro, though right now even my dog is in the dog house. At least she isn’t downright mean though, just kinda dumb.
I used to work with a woman who had a sign on her desk: “I prefer cats to people.” She was told to remove it, or course.
I just came from holiday shopping downtown, and the streets were filled with people arguing with and yelling at each other. So I spent my afternoon wondering about the same thing…wasn’t this season supposed to be about caring and love and positivity? What happened to us?
I wish I knew. Though yesterday was better. I had to get a few things last minute and for some reason it was better.
Have a peaceful holiday season.
And you as well. Glad to hear your shopping conditions were a little less hellish 🙂
By nature, people are selfish … yet some have the gene that focuses away from them … nonetheless, all of us are selfish in one way or another … and yes, they drive me crazy in the oddest places. Nonetheless, today I will focus on the goodness because the majority of humanity is just that – good – even with various doses of selfishness. Enjoy the holiday time with your family!
Frank, I am going to put bells on my ankles, cook up some holiday cheer and dance the night away with my grandbabies (all of them). I am certain, I will have a rollicking time and be reminded of all that is good in the world in short order.
Have a joyous holiday
I’m sure, a wonderful time!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
My sentiments exactly …. ” As a nation, we seem to have lost something, perhaps it is our soul. I am saddened by the great chasm dividing us as a people.”
I don’t witness too much lack of civility when I go out. Maybe it’s where I live; maybe it’s because I don’t go out much. But even today when I went to the packed grocery store for last-minute Christmas items, people seemed in good cheer, saying “Excuse me” when we bumped carts, etc. I see more of the snarky and cruel behavior online, especially from those who choose to remain anonymous. I’ve learned to stop reading comments unless it’s on a trusted blogger’s site. I don’t want that vitriol seeping into my soul. The news on television sours me enough.
All I can do is try to treat others how I wish to be treated. By doing so, maybe they’ll reciprocate the act, and so on and so on. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking for a cynic like me, but I’m willing to give it a go. 🙂
Happy Holidays, Valentine!
Carrie, I continue to be a forever hopeful cynic. Truly I am. I think this is why I am so disappointed in the state of human behavior when I see bad actors.
I hope your holidays are wonderful and all you could wish for.
It’s every man / woman / kid has learned to say me FIRST. What happened? At this time of year people used to be kinder, more thoughtful, more patient. That’s not what I see out there today. Is greed to blame in part?
Merry Christmas, Val, and a wonderful New Year. ❤
Greed, yes I think that is the driver. But I do think there is more to it than this, I just don’t know what it is.
Jubilant holiday season Tess.
Same to you, Val. May 2015 be exciting.
I totally hear what you are saying about just moving along if you don’t like what you see on social media (Facebook especially). And they might try to at least be civil on Christmas Day! I hope you have a wonderful holidays, Val!
Civility would be a special gift. I would feel blessed if I could get some of that, just a little bit. I suppose if I were less controversial I would get less of a pounding. Maybe it is a choice I have to make.
Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season my lovely friend.
I have been deliberating what cause I shall commit to and finally resolved to crocheting caps for cancer patients. I know I haven’t given enough, so this is a mission. I want to be one that if I come with a complaint I am not without a solution. And finding a way to be creative everyday helps me internally. So that’s where I am. Think I’ll work the political circuit too and get Little Totsy involved too.
Enjoy family and loved ones this holiday season.
Good for you, I love that idea! I am trying to find something here in town I can engage my heart and mind in. Something other than Victim Impact, something uplifting. I love your idea.
Have a jubilant season
Unfortunately, what you call “fictional talking points” ARE “facts” to some people.
I am fully aware there are those who ‘believe’, I am related to true believers. I shake my head and wonder all the time if in truth we came down the same DNA line, but I have only to look in the mirror and I know the truth (something went wrong in the cooking).
Facts and fiction though X, they do not meet in the middle.
Reblogged this on MrMilitantNegro™.
Yes, Val, yes. It is as if our collective fuses have all been shortened and we are all ready to burst into flame at a moment’s notice for any old thing. What happened to doing unto others?
I hope your Holidays are wonderful, Val, and that 2015 brings you health, happiness and joy.
Your hope is mine to you!
I think those fuses need to be stamped on a few times. I think we all need to take a step back.
Thanks, Val. And yes and yes. Time to count to 10 again andagain.
Actually “doing unto others” is still going pretty strong. It’s that other “as you would want done unto you” part that’s getting lost. 🙂
Perfectly stated!
That Master X, that is most certainly the part missing. Well unless people are simply sadistic bastards.
Or maybe they are masochists and then they are, in fact, following the golden rule.
LMFAO
May all your celebration be bright and beautiful and graceful. I love you to the end of the earth, and then a bit more. Bright blessings in the New Year for peace.
xxx
As I do you my dear sister.
XX
❤
You’ve just left me blinking in surprise and curiosity lol 🙂 but I do agree with you, whatever happened to holidays civility eh!
Andy, hopefully we can all of us find some joy an civility. Once we do, hopefully we can carry it with us into the new year.
I’m crossing my fingers and certainly hoping so 🙂
I am excited for Christmas this year, since we’ll be celebrating with one beloved new addition since last year. Our celebration will be subdued and oriented toward loving acts/time instead of gifts. That’s usually how it is because we run out of energy for more, but this year it’s intentional as I have quietly watched consumer goods be valued over life in recent protests. What I want to model for my kids is the importance of people over things, no matter what time of year. I am going to try better about that modeling–about acting in a calm and loving way no matter how agitated by what can seem like willful ignorance–because I believe both that is how I build a better world for my kids … and that they, like all children today, deserve a better world. Love you.
I am trying hard, for the sake of new additions and loving the ones who have been with me for decades to not take my grinch with me. You are right, loving acts are far better than the alternative. We are also trying hard to focus on family time versus family plenty.
Love you also