Well, folks here is the moment we've all be waiting for-- the holiday season is finally (and officially for those who have been secretly celebrating since November 1) upon us. After the mess 2016 has proven itself to be, we need the holiday season more than ever. With the election that has saturated every aspect of our lives over and the awkward Thanksgiving dinners following its completion, some cheer and charitable giving could do everyone some good.
The holidays are about more than just gifts, decorations, and modes of media. It is a reminder that we are all humans, stuck on this planet together. It's a reminder to be kind to your fellow person. As Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas said, "And on Earth peace, and good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown" (SOURCE). Now Linus was mostly preaching about Christmas in a religious sense, but I believe that the same message could be extended to different holidays during this season and for those, like me, who aren't religious at all. The message is all about being a good person and helping others, essentially bringing peace on Earth. And after the rhetoric I've been hearing during the political season, I think this season should be an important indication of what life should be.
I guess what I'm saying is to be good to your fellow human. Allow the season to kick off that goodness and let it envelop your 2017. After the year we've had, we certainly could extend a little bit of kindness.
Among my friend group we have a saying, "Don't be an a**hole." The meaning of this phrase might seem like common sense, but, if this past year has taught me anything, it is that sometimes people get too wrapped up in their own issues to consider other people. We get so engrossed in the world around us that we often forget that other people are experiencing the world too.
Now I think we can all agree that 2016 was probably one of the worst years ever. The election was a mess (no matter who you voted for) and a lot of issues that we have been ignoring finally bubbled to the surface in a rather volatile way. For the holiday season and for 2017, I think we should embody another message from a Disney princess: Have courage and be kind.
So wander into the holiday season not getting pissy about the lack of Christmas on a stupid Starbucks coffee cup (I seriously cannot believe that's a thing people get mad over-- PEOPLE ARE DYING IN ALEPPO!!) or the fact that someone is wishing you a happy holiday instead of a merry Christmas (because Christmas isn't the only holiday being celebrated and assuming everyone is Christian is extremely narrow-minded. Get over yourself). Treat everyone you meet with kindness and cheer. Make a goal to allow that grace to follow you into 2017 and the rest of your life. If 2016 had anything to give, it was lessons. 2016 has taught us about the complexity of humanity, that we're not living in a post-racial/post-misogynistic/post-homophobic world, of what we must do to change our society, about skepticism, and the power of ignorance.
Let this season allow you to be the change you wish to see in the world (we're looking to you Gandhi!) and let that feeling of transforming the world latch onto you in 2017.
Go forth, my friends! Have courage and be kind!
