Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward All

Alright I did it. I made that statement “politically correct”. It seemed like the right thing to do. Although don’t we all have different ideas of what is the right thing to do? Isn’t that what life is all about? Learning to live with diversity? You know, peace on earth comes from good will toward all. You can’t have peace on earth without the good will toward all.

I often feel that we, as a human species, as a society, have become ultra-sensitive about nearly everything in our lives. We are really ruled by our egos. It’s evident when you’re at one of those intersections in which there are two lanes that, ultimately, will merge into one. Ever have a race with the person on the side of you? Most of us have! I laugh when I think about it. What’s the purpose of that? It kind of makes you feel good, right? For how long, 30 seconds? Spreading good will lasts WAY longer.

I digress. If you know me, you know how easy it is for me to wander on to something else. Back to the ultra-sensitivity. Look, there are countless examples of what I’m talking about and I’m sure you can think of them yourselves. We get sensitive and offended at everything. I don’t mean to offend anyone when I say “Merry Christmas”. When did that become so bad? If you wished me a Happy Kwanzaa, I would be grateful. Because I know you’re wishing me well! It’s not the words we’re saying, it’s what is MEANT by the words. Aren’t we really wishing our loved ones and friends and acquaintances, and even strangers, good will? Aren’t we wishing all the best to each other? Aren’t we celebrating life in some way? Do the words matter? I’m not offended if you wish me Happy Hanukkah. You’re sending me good wishes. Let’s not try so hard to get offended and upset over a happy greeting. Why run the risk of racial profiling with a holiday greeting? And you know, you could argue that “Happy Holidays” is no more neutral than any other greeting since there are those on this planet that sees nothing special with this part of the calendar at all. Seems silly to me to try to design a new greeting that will encompass all cultures because there will be SOMEONE who takes offense.

I was creating some holiday brochures for someone the other day. I had a long list of things I had to “stay away from” so as to not offend anyone. I must have created 20 versions over 3 days. I couldn’t use red or green colors, I couldn’t use Santa, I couldn’t use a decorated tree, I couldn’t use stars, certainly not the words, “Merry Christmas”, I couldn’t even use a sprig of holly! “We don’t want anyone taking offense from anything. Keep it to a winter-only theme.”  UGH! First of all, Christmas is CHRISTmas…the season is a Christian season that has NOTHING to do with Santa, red and green decorations, decorated trees, gift-giving orgies, egg nog, wreaths, etc., etc. That’s where the word came from, people! Essentially, Christmas has turned into this commercial holiday. “Merry Christmas” no longer is directly linked to the Christian holiday. So why not wish people a “Merry Christmas”? You may not celebrate Christmas religiously, but you celebrate SOMETHING, right? The Jewish faith celebrates Hanukah, which is a religious holiday, the Christians celebrate the birth of The Christ, African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa (which is a holiday that was born in 1966). Kwanzaa is the African-American holiday to celebrate their history; they wanted something different from the rest of “dominant society”. I don’t blame them in that way, I’ve always felt the pressures of commercialism. The Kwanzaa term is derived from a phrase meaning, “fruits of the harvest”. Why choose Christmas time for that? Why not Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July? I’m not offended at that, I understand the need to have cultural traditions. I ask the question innocently because I’m curious. I’m not trying to be snide or snarky. Look, if you wish me a Happy Kwanzaa, I’m not offended. I honor the cultural difference. The point is, all of these celebrations happen around one of the most Christian of all celebrations. So don’t be offended when I say “Merry Christmas”. It’s who I am and how I was brought up. I honor your tradition, you honor mine.

I heard the holiday song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and instead of staying for “a cigarette more” it was “a little bit more” and in one version, “one drink more”. I’m all for progress but tradition is tradition and I like originals. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but why do we feel compelled to do it? Because smoking is perceived as negative behavior, we have to change the lyric? What about “drinking”? Is that any better? Doesn’t drinking kill as many, if not more, people? If my memory serves me correctly, “a little bit more” is the most up-to-date version. For those of you keeping track. These traditional songs reflect the times, that’s all. They’re not meant to offend. Modern day musicians are creating new holiday songs every year…that’s how you create new traditions. Please don’t change the songs I grew up with. They’re not yours!

I won’t sit here and bore you with all the historical roots and traditions, but if you’re interested, Wikipedia has a nice write-up on the history and origins of all the Christmas celebrations and traditions.

I know people who are of other faiths and enjoy the Christmas celebration. Christmas, even though rooted in Christian beliefs, has the message of well-wishing, merriment, a time for families to gather and celebrate and a time for us all to honor each other and our existence on this planet. All of the observed holidays at this time of year are about the same things. Christmas is a time that  reminds us that we are all in the same boat; we all want the same things and we all go about manifesting those things in our own ways. One way is not better than the next, it just is. Don’t allow your ego to feel threatened or offended over someone else’s beliefs, you have to live your own life the way YOU see fit. Let’s try to put aside the ego and try to better understand that we are all trying to break even, get ahead, and have happy lives. We become unhappy when we try to live by society or others’ standards. Make yourself happy this holiday season.

I like to say “Merry Christmas”, and when I wish you a “Merry Christmas”, I’m not out to disrespect your culture or offend you. When I say “Merry Christmas”, I’m wishing you all the best life has to offer; good health, peace, love, happiness and prosperity now, at the threshold of the New Year, and always. Spread the love this Christmas season!

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