Is The Spirit Of The Holidays Gone?

 

The holidays are known for being a time of giving, sharing and caring for others. I grew up knowing this time of year as the “season of brotherly love.” In simplest terms, brotherly love is love for one’s fellow-man (women included). It is a kind and lenient attitude towards others. I like to believe that the holidays spirit of being kind to others is not a lost art.

In the past, I have seen many examples of the holidays spirit all around me.  I have seen secret Santa’s give away money to those in need, donations of all types overflowing and local holiday events filled with laughter. I haven’t seen much spirit this year. Unfortunately, what I have seen is a trend towards being self-centered. The holidays spirit this year means postal workers yelling at me, retailers ignoring me and two grandmothers almost ruining my 3 year-old sons belief in Santa (see Should Children Believe In Santa).

 

Stressful Times

 

I know the holidays are a stressful time of year for many people. The media pressures us to buy the “next” great item. Children yell at parents, “I want” continuously. Parents focus more on money and on how they are going to pay for everything. It seems as if everyone wants something and no one is willing to slow down and remember it is a time for caring about others.

It is impossible being upbeat and happy all the time. I certainly know I am not! We all have personal reasons that make us want to quit humanity. When I write about various things I try to stay positive but I will share about the difficulties life can give us. Heck, just in the last week I have had a laptop stop working, my cell phone stop posting and the heat go out in the house but I am still not saying “Bah, Humbug!“

I believe it is time for everyone to think about other people and not just the “pains” of the season. If we try to remember what the holidays are about maybe we can take that feeling with us year round. Life is hard enough without each of us trying to make it harder on someone else.

 

Holidays Spirit Is Here

 

1. Family Time - During most of the year, our lives are very busy and sometimes complicated. The holidays ares the only time  many people are able to see or speak to their family. I don’t want to have regrets later in my life. I might not always get along with everyone in my family but I realize that life is short. I make an extra effort to talk to people in my life during the holidays to let them know I am thinking of them.

2. Giving to others - We teach our children that it is better to give than to receive.  We teach children about giving because it is morally correct and we understand that it can make you happy as well as someone else. Giving isn’t necessarily materialistic. I enjoy helping other people by volunteering my time and I don’t need a thank you (but they are always welcome).

3. Traditions of past - The holidays are a time families pass along traditions. Traditions are beliefs, customs or stories that we share with each new generation.  People are able to share their experiences and lives through traditions. They are a legacy that we leave to future generations. I know during the holidays I make cornbread stuffing. It was something that my mother taught me that she learned from her mother.

4. A child’s wonder - Watching a small child learn about the world is a wonderful thing. It doesn’t matter if you have a child or not because children and the holidays go together. The holidays allow adults to feel like they are a child again. We took my three-year old son to look at holiday lights. He reminded me about the holidays spirit when he wouldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the lights are.

 

 

I realize that not everyone celebrates the holidays. People don’t even have to agree with me about what it means to have holidays spirit. I do think most of us can agree that we have much more to gain for ourselves, our children and society when we take the time to think of others. It is a feeling we should keep with us year round and not just at one time of the year.

I hope the current trend of being so self-centered is temporary. As a father, I want to teach my son to care for others and not just for himself. When we care for other people we are showing that we aren’t always self-centered and other people matter to us. It is a life skill that everyone needs and should strive to have. It can help us to make a better world for ourselves and our children.

 

The holidays are a time to remember others as well as yourself. Do you think people are becoming more self-centered? What does holidays spirit mean to you? Tell me more about how you think people are acting during the holidays this year in the comments!

 

You can read my last post here: Dad Gets A Tattoo For His Birthday! If you like this post you can follow me on my facebook fan page, Dadblunders.

 

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• Holiday Traditions with Ken Myers
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Tags: fellow man, holiday season, hope, lenient attitude