We tend to forget that Christmas is not the only holiday that is celebrated this time of year. Different cultures have different celebrations, and if you live in an urban environment like I do, you are probably more aware of these cultural differences. "The holidays" include more than just Christmas and it's foolish to think that everyone around you is celebrating this notably Christian Holiday. This is something that I think tends to get lost and pushed to the back of our minds. However, it is important to remember.

I personally have a lot of friends from various backgrounds and many of them celebrate different things besides Christmas. I am always making sure that I am being conscious of what I say and do around my friends during this time of year. Luckily, my friends are very open and understanding and if I were to accidentally say something that differed from what they believe, they would (most likely) be okay with it. However, not everyone will have the same reaction.

When you are walking down the street you are passing so many different kinds of people with different belief systems. Christmas tends to dominate our commercial world around this time and a lot of the other holidays can be unnoticed, and sometimes even unwelcomed. It's important to think twice before you tell a stranger Merry Christmas or give someone an elevator speech about the birth of Christ.

Now I am not saying to hide your holiday cheer or anything, but just that you should be aware of the differences in people around you and to make sure that you are not saying anything that could have the potential to make someone overtly uncomfortable. It's good to be happy and want others to be happy as well, but there are ways to make people happy and spread joy throughout your community without forcing your own beliefs on other people. And this is not just for people who celebrate Christmas. No one belief system should be considered superior to another. It's important for all of us to keep up our awareness, but not our walls. Letting in and welcoming others is one thing that the holiday season really is about. And besides, the best present you can give is an open mind.

So this time of year, make sure that you are being as inclusive as possible. The holidays are about happiness and love, regardless of your religious or cultural affiliation. It's a time where we should all be coming together rather than pushing each other away. So let's make sure that we are spreading love this holiday season instead of hate.