Christmas Group Therapy

I have a cartoon on my desktop right now that is entitled “Christmas Group Therapy”. In it Santa Clause decries, “I don’t believe in myself.” Rudolph complains, “All the other reindeer call me names.” Frosty the snowman believes himself to be bi-polar and the elves feel like they are in a dead end job. Having been is some form of people work all my life I’ve noticed that the holidays sometimes cause us to lose sight of what is really important. If we spend all our time thinking about ourselves or our own abilities it is easy to become depressed or arrogant depending on your self-esteem level. I want to share my own little “Christmas Therapy” program. Say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” to everyone you meet and that includes the ACLU. Drop your change in the red bucket in front of the store because it will do more good there than on top of your dresser in the ugly clay vase you made in the third grade. Put an extra check in the offering plate at church or adopt a family less fortunate (yes, there are those less fortunate). In short “treat others like you’d like to be treated” this Christmas even if they don’t reciprocate. Please, regardless of your religious persuasion don’t be naïve and think that renaming it Xmas and putting up a “holiday tree” is an improvement of the story of God coming to earth as a baby in a manger to save us from sin and ourselves. Even if you don’t believe the miracle don’t deny the positive influence it has had on civilization for a couple millennium now. It is easy to become cynical and anyone can do it. It is far better to embrace the joy of the spirit of giving with a smile on our face and love in our hearts. If you can’t do it that way then just think how much fun it will be to irritate that old sour puss with a big smile and a joyful “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”