Yesterday I laid the foundation for my belief on why we struggle so much with home-grown violence in America. I pointed my finger at a few reasons—proven, documented, studied and published reasons that no one in authority seems to do anything about beyond identifying them. Once identified and proven, shouldn’t we then move to solve them?
That question is probably a blog for another day. I started my installment yesterday with the statement that I believe most of our holidays do us a disservice. Because they provide us with an excuse—just like attending weekly church services can do.
Holidays provide us with an excuse to misbehave outside of the time of observation or celebration. Just like attending church on Sundays allows us to act like heathens the rest of the week.
There’s a sort of absolution, if you will, in the act of observation. “I’ve done my duty, now I can go on with my life.”
Okay. I agree with what you’re thinking now. I’m over-exaggerating to the point of being silly. But isn’t that what prophets do? By over-simplifying or exaggerating a point? At the very least it causes you to think and come to your own conclusions. Even if you only agree to a small degree, I’ve made my point and achieved my purpose.
You may disagree with me. But I entreat you to be open to reading on a bit further. Apart from my thoughts on the holidays, I am sickened by the seemingly mindless actions of a few in our society who think it necessary to take out as many others as they can before their own likely end.
As horrifying and senseless as these actions are—especially in their recent increase—they spur me on to greater, stronger resolutions to wring every last bit of joy and happiness I can out of life because I don’t know if or when I will ever be caught in that kind of terrifying circumstance.
Allow me now to step closer to how I really feel.
I experience very strong emotions during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. I have a deep appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in America. I love being a citizen of my adopted country!
I know most others feel as I do, but these observances shouldn’t last only one day, a week or even through a season. They should be EVERY day, in every moment and in every circumstance. Holidays should be the inspiration for us to live joyful, thankful, appreciative and honorable lives each day of every year!
The epidemic of violence motivates me to appreciate the blessings around me, when it should only horrify and repulse me. Holidays remind us to act and feel well when they should be mere recognitions of our good behavior throughout the entire year.
I wrote previously in an earlier blog that I’m a big believer in Karma, or Biblically speaking, “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” What comes around goes around—not always in ways we hope for or expect. However, it does return. I believe my life is better for being conscious of that on a daily basis. Providing small kindnesses at every opportunity on a daily basis cost me nothing materially, but profits me richly in the joy of giving.
In so doing, I’m trying hard to have holidays be just recognitions of my already good behavior rather than my excuse.
