I'm Tired of Feeling the Grinchy Spirit!

[Argranade]

What happened?,

What happened to singing at your nabours door or roasting marsh mellows by an open fire, walking in the cold night with the snow sparkling like stars in your friends eyes, where have all the nativity sets gone?, why don't people smile anymore or say Merry Christmas as often?, what happened to peace on earth and good will towards men?, where are all the families going to church before Christmas day or building a snow man ... afterwards getting your fingers cold then warming them with some hot chocolate?, what ever happened to hand made gifts from the heart?, what ever happened to eating turkey and stuffing with out thinking of the next day?, where has the importance of '' the more you give the more you recieve'' gone?, why not buy some toys for the poor and not the selfish, why not think of the day a King was born not a fake man?,

Events & thoughts like these have been replaced by fake items and rushed feelings.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I plan on wishing every one a "Merry Christman" until they start arresting me for it. Then I'll be telling everyone in jail a "Merry Christmas".

I try to let others go ahead of me in lines all during the year. I figure since I'm not working I'm not in a hurry and they may be. (unless my pain from my arthritis is making it so hard I can hardly stand)

The filling between my two front teeth just fell out so I'm sure people get an extra thrill when I grin at them. But hey, I'm not going to hide in a hole just because I look like a jack-o-lantern when I grin.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

[K9soul]

We've talked about this and you know I completely agree with you. And it's not just Christmas of course, but the self-centered, rushed, every-man-for-himself attitude that prevails all year round so much now. This Christmas is a perfect time to make a new start at trying to do more and see/participate more in the world around you, to try to stop mourning what has been lost and focus on making of it what you can. Sometimes I find myself so caught up in my own problems and anxieties I get bogged down, forget to think of others and forget to see the "small" wonders of life. A little reminder is always welcome. Plus, somehow my own problems and anxieties just seem to fade a bit each time I reach out and do something selfless for someone else

[Vela]

I didn't expect so many replies to this, but it makes me happy to see it! Jackmilliesmom, your husband is a wonderful man to do what he is doing. We need more people like him in this world. I have never stopped being courteous myself, but I really found myself lacking the happiness I should feel at Christmas, and even every day of the year. The news and the things happening with things like no christmas plays because one person doesn't celebrate it, no carols because one says Christ in it, no trees (which isn't a symbol of christianity anyway!), no goodwill towards anyone and fighting over toys and prsents and people being SHOT for them. I mean the everyday news is bad enough all year round, but to see those types of things aroung the holidays, when it used to be a "cease fire" for that type of thing for the most part, really had me so depressed. I am so happy to see all the replies and I hope all of us strive that much harder to enjoy our blessings!

I hope all of you have the most awesome holiday in whatever way you chose to celebrate it and enjoy even the "ugly" gifts you might get. It IS the thought that counts!!!!

[Daisy and Delilah]

Vela, I have felt exactly like you do for many years. Christmas has become a real drudgery for me rather than an enjoyable event.

After dreading the holiday season for so many years, I decided to change things this year. With my sister's help, we chose a family to help instead of punishing ourselves with the buying of gifts for each other. None of us need anything and trying to come up with ideas just because we were supposedly required to, wasn't getting it.

On of my sister's students(she's a fourth grade teacher)has a younger brother with leukemia. His Mom is single and financially unable to give the kids a Christmas. She is swamped with medical bills in addition to everything else, so Christmas was not going to happen in their house this year.

My family decided to buy gifts for the kids, get them a tree with all the decorations, and buy their groceries for their dinner. In addition to that, we are giving the Mom a check to get everything else she might need.

We are also receiving a great deal of support from most of our employers and other people of the community. Everyone wanted to help out after hearing the story. I'm truly amazed at the outpouring of the community.

I've haven't felt this good about Christmas in a very long time. It's just great to help this family.
I'm thrilled to share this story with my fellow PT'ers also. I'm with you Vela. Let's take our Christmas back!!

[Vela]

Oh what a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing that story. We did that last year as well, we took up a collection and were able to buy the family christmas and brought it to them wrapped and ready to go and were able to give them some money as well. Doesn't that make you feel so much better! Thanks for sharing, that brightens my day to hear it.

[Daisy and Delilah]

It's absolutely amazing how good I feel about this!! To keep with tradition and make my Mother happy, we still bought gifts for each other but kept a $20 limit for each person. Mostly gift cards so we didn't have to endure the torture of holiday shopping. All of us will feel like a million bucks on Christmas day and enjoy our time together instead of worrying about the gifts we normally bought for each other.

I strongly recommend this for everybody!

[Dorothy39]

We've talked about this and you know I completely agree with you. And it's not just Christmas of course, but the self-centered, rushed, every-man-for-himself attitude that prevails all year round so much now. This Christmas is a perfect time to make a new start at trying to do more and see/participate more in the world around you, to try to stop mourning what has been lost and focus on making of it what you can. Sometimes I find myself so caught up in my own problems and anxieties I get bogged down, forget to think of others and forget to see the "small" wonders of life. A little reminder is always welcome. Plus, somehow my own problems and anxieties just seem to fade a bit each time I reach out and do something selfless for someone else

Every relpy to this thread is incredible!!

And!

Every single Christmas, I clamor about and gather "food", clothing, supplies , and tug at the coat sleeves of my friends and family members to donate and share!!!

Not only during Christmas, but throughout the year~

I've done so for such a long, long time~This Christmas Holds a New Meaning for my Purpose. I might be tired, from gathering all the food, sorting through the clothing for " Pristine" aparel,(washing and refreshing un used clothing) and storing away staples that are a "must" for those in dire need~

I feel the True Essence of Christmas every year~My personal problems dissolved when I donated to "The Homeless Shelter" in our area this afternoon~

Christmas is a State of Mind~

[Vela]

What a wonderful thing you do each year Dorothy! Thank you for sharing that. I know what you mean about it being a state of mind. In "taking back how christmas used to be" for myself, I want to keep the feeling all year round and try not to let the stresses and trials of life get me down, but try to have a smile for each new day we are blessed with on this earth, and to be thankful for all of the things we do have, stop lamenting those things we don't, and always take time to help someone in need, even if it's just to hold the door because their arms ar full. You guys have all really helped brighten my holiday, and it really does feel like "old times" again.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I used to save my pennies all year long and then in November cash them in and use the money for toys for the Salvation Army toy box. I'd sometimes have to add a bit too it but it was well worth it. Sadly, the Salvation army moved out of town this year and I don't know of any one having a local toy drive.

We do have a program where you can adopt a family for Christmas. Unfortunately, I can't afford to do that but lots of people can.