A Hole in My Holiday Spirit
December 6, 2009 by Barbara Jacoby
Filed under Creating Happiness
The tree is up and decorated, the candles are in the windows and our home is ready for the holidays. I got the Christmas cards that will be sent to those that I want to send special greetings since I won’t see them during the holidays. But, I didn’t feel like writing them and I didn’t feel like shopping and I couldn’t figure out why there was a problem with my holiday spirit for the first time ever. So I decided to take the time this morning and think about it and try to figure out what is going on with me and I realized there is a hole in my holiday spirit.
What I realized is that this holiday season seems to be unlike any that I have ever experienced in the past. I have never seen so many unhappy, depressed and just downright mean people everywhere. It is hard to feel the Christmas spirit when there is none of it around you. So many people are so into themselves and are taking out their frustrations on others. I hear them blaming others for their own mistakes, abusing their power when they are in a position to have “control” over others and having no care about the destruction that they are leaving in their paths. There are people that I know that if you had asked me, I would have told you they were never capable of treating others the way they are doing at this time. And all of this negativity is just fostering lots more of the same thing.
I understand that the current economy has made a huge difference for many people but it is the tough times that have always brought all of us closer together. And I know from personal experience that the holidays really are not about “stuff” but rather it is about love and caring and sharing. So now that I have figured out what is going on, I need to find a way to create enough holiday spirit around me to spread it far and wide.
Since I realize that lots of the bad behavior will continue, I plan to counter it by giving something extra to the recipients of that bad behavior rather than trying to do anything about the creators of the havoc. For every deed that I see that takes something away from another person, I will give something positive back to them. After all, I do believe that there are far more good people out there than those who choose to abuse their power, their money and their strength and who hold an attitude that they are better than others.
This is the way that I see where there will be strength in the numbers putting out tons of holiday spirit and I do believe that if others will join me in doing the same, we can create the best holiday season ever. It doesn’t cost you a single cent, it makes another person feel so much better and it will make you feel better about yourself, too. We are all in this together so why not do everything that we can to make it the best holidays ever for all of us who wish to share in the joy of the season.
Please share your comments if you are willing to join me in this effort! Let’s all unite to make this the best holiday season ever for as many people as we can. I guarantee that it will, in turn, make it the best holiday season that you have ever had yourself.
I agree with you! There is a definite lack of courtesy going on all over the world. So many rude/mean people who complain and whine all the time. I will most definitely join you in the effort to spread holiday cheer! I have always been that person who smiles and goes the extra mile to be nice to people. Especially the sales people. They are treated so poorly over the holidays. They almost act shocked when I greet them and sound genuine. There are a lot of people that don’t receive the holiday cheer that you give because they are just too much of a “Grinch”. But that doesn’t stop me because I know that it’s about them and where they are coming from. If just one grumpy person can feel a little happiness because you are nice, it’s worth it. I’m sorry that there is a hole in your holiday spirit. I completely understand. It’s like your “creating your own happiness blog”. We have to create our own holiday spirit. I hope this holiday turns out to be a very big blessing for you and that you reach those grumpy people and make them smile! Hugs ~ Mandi
So glad to have you on the holiday spirit train. You completely get the picture of what is going on and you are so right about the result of just making one person’s day better. That person may just reach out to others and the spirit can continue to be spread far and wide. Hope that you have the best holidays ever, too, and thank you for making a difference.
I feel the same way! I’ve never been so “blah” about the holidays either. People here in Northern CA are acting the way you said your friends are too.
I don’t get it but I’m trying not to let it win either! Good job articulating this funk everyone seems to be in.
Blessings!
So sorry that you are experiencing the same lack of holiday spirit in your area, too. It really does drag down the energy when this happens. However, I am now on a big mission to make a difference and each person that we can reach might just help to spread out farther and wider a better feeling. I hope that you end up having the best holiday season ever and you are in my thoughts and prayers to make that happen. Thank you so much for sharing with us here. Perhaps we can all get more people on board with us.