Christmas is not always special to some people...

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You turn on the radio and all you hear is "It's the most wonderful time of the year".

But the fact of the matter is it can be the most terrible time of the year. Especially if you do not have your health.

I think of places like the terminal ward at the hospital or the guy sitting home alone with depression (and no loved ones around) and I cannot help but ponder of whether we go a little overboard with the celebration of good cheer here in the States ?

What do you think ??
#christmas #people #special
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    If you mean the relentless rah rah-ing of the media/ads/hallmark movies...yes.


    If you mean people enjoying, celebrating the holidays - not at all. My enjoyment of the holidays doesn't harm anyone else....and I find I'm more generous this time of year.



    At any time of the year there are people who are unhappy or ill and the holiday is a great time to take a treat or cookies or a small present to someone you know who doesn't have family. It's a great thing to teach children - to give to those who are lonely or have little.... There are so many charities that need volunteers during the holidays.


    If everyone who has a good holiday takes a few hours to share time/stuff with a few people in need....we'd all be better off.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    The lower light level and the colder weather just have a bigger negative impact on a part of the population

    And the USA never goes overboard with anything just Texas
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

      The lower light level and the colder weather just have a bigger negative impact on a part of the population

      And the USA never goes overboard with anything just Texas
      So true lol
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by discrat View Post

    You turn on the radio and all you hear is "It's the most wonderful time of the year".

    But the fact of the matter is it can be the most terrible time of the year. Especially if you do not have your health.

    I think of places like the terminal ward at the hospital or the guy sitting home alone with depression (and no loved ones around) and I cannot help but ponder of whether we go a little overboard with the celebration of good cheer here in the States ?

    What do you think ??
    Overboard on ME ME ME for sure... Take the next step.. stop pondering, and do something about it. It doesnt have to be about money, because we ALL should know money does not solve many problems. TIME on the other hand... time is our most valuable asset. Reach out to local retirement homes, to church organizations, toys for tots, homeless shelters. Put in a little of your time to share the Joy you have to offer... Its only "terrible", because nobody cares... Start caring!

    Call your city and see if they get calls every year from older folks in the community about needing their driveways shoveled. When tt snows My son and I do about 15 driveways in proximity to our home every morning before he has to be at school. The last thing health wise an older young lady or gentleman needs to be doing is huffing and puffing shoveling snow in cold weather.

    Its just time, and I can tell you first hand it is time well spent, I have always gotten more from giving than from getting.

    Not only THIS time of year.. give what you can - and at the least give YOU - your time YOUR life will be better for it, and the impact on the lives you share your time with will be made better. Its a win win all the way around.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    I will add to what savage said with the homeless. Contact organizations that feed homeless and donate socks and styrofoam coffee cups by the case
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    You all have my mind at work and thinking of ways to contribute. And I didn't expect this when I started the Thread.

    Thanks again
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  • Profile picture of the author IM2Pat
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    YEs I would agree we can tend to overdo our celebrations for everything nowadays....not just Christmas! It's important to be mindful of those less fortunate than you are who may not have their health, or a family, or even any friends to whom they can celebrate with. Those that do have those things are fortunate beyond any riches!
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Speaking personally for a moment, my birthday is the 10th so my parents and I catch up once in December. Although non-practicing, we are Jewish, and nowadays it's just nice to have company for a couple of days.
    We always say "no gifts" and they always make me feel bad by giving me gifts.


    I am home alone on Christmas Day. I admit I do try to have some nice food but it's just another day.


    As for helping others, I spend time in Facebook, wishing people all the best, etc etc. Physically I can't do much anymore. My mobility is limited and I don't drive.
    That's a big reason for spending time in Facebook. At least I can reach out online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      Speaking personally for a moment, my birthday is the 10th so my parents and I catch up once in December. Although non-practicing, we are Jewish, and nowadays it's just nice to have company for a couple of days.
      We always say "no gifts" and they always make me feel bad by giving me gifts.


      I am home alone on Christmas Day. I admit I do try to have some nice food but it's just another day.


      As for helping others, I spend time in Facebook, wishing people all the best, etc etc. Physically I can't do much anymore. My mobility is limited and I don't drive.
      That's a big reason for spending time in Facebook. At least I can reach out online.
      Similar.

      When growing up, we never celebrated any holidays including birthdays. And I never got in the habit when I was an adult.

      When I was single, Christmas, Easter, and the rest were simply days I didn't work, and the bars and restaurants were closed. Sometimes I would visit my parents. Sometimes I'd just read and watch TV.

      Now, these holidays don't mean anything to me, but they mean something to my wife and her family...and that means something to me.

      So now, they are days we get together. And my wife enjoys the days, so I enjoy them as well.

      I'm going to assume that if you grew up with a Christmas with presents and a family get together, and now you were alone, it could be sad.

      Something that occurred to me years ago. No matter what I'm doing, Christmas and other major holidays are generally happy times for most people, and to me that's a plus.

      Even if I were in a hospital at Christmas, everyone around me is having a good time.

      In the movie Doctor Strange, one line I loved, when explaining a secret of the universe was "It's not about you".

      The thing about Christmas (and any celebration) is, it's not about me. I can be happy for the joy it brings others.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      Speaking personally for a moment, my birthday is the 10th so my parents and I catch up once in December. Although non-practicing, we are Jewish, and nowadays it's just nice to have company for a couple of days.
      We always say "no gifts" and they always make me feel bad by giving me gifts.


      I am home alone on Christmas Day. I admit I do try to have some nice food but it's just another day.


      As for helping others, I spend time in Facebook, wishing people all the best, etc etc. Physically I can't do much anymore. My mobility is limited and I don't drive.
      That's a big reason for spending time in Facebook. At least I can reach out online.
      Hi laurencewins.

      I admire your honesty : ) Absolutely nothing wrong with sharing the love on facebook. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas (as much as you can) ... As People have mentioned, it's all about sharing good "vibes" (etc.)
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  • Profile picture of the author mrcasestudy
    Christmas is the best time of the year for many of us, but the loneliest for those people who don't have anything. Although Christmas was never intended to be this way, many parents feel the pressure to provide their kids with the things on their Christmas list. It can be very stressful for many.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian Jackson
    Just like everything else it seems fit to infest, it is the vacuous chasm of "Celebrity culture" that interferes with a happy Christmas
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  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    I have not celebrated "The Holiday Season" in years. I recognize that people are more giving and nicer and the decorations are cute and that families all get together. I used to do that and it was usually pleasant. But, as you grow old, the people you did this with slowly disappear and unless you are married with a big family it becomes less of a thing. My memories of this time are really about when I was a kid and the magic it held. It really is a time for kids.

    When married, we used to visit my parents and sister in the UK at Xmas and spend two weeks there and visit friends and places while there. The year after my mother died we could not go until the second week of our vacation. The planes were grounded for a week in the UK (airports were closed) due to a snowstorm. So, we eventually flew out on Xmas day. We spent 5 days holed up in my fathers house and went home. It was like night time all the time we were there. The weather was awful. One of my least memorable year ends.
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    Well the holiday season isn't the cause of people who get depression bad this time of year. It is the colder weather the shorter days and the lack of green in nature. Cabin fever.

    Humans evolved in tropical climates and many still may not be adapted to deal with the cold. Especially as one gets older.
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    • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

      Well the holiday season isn't the cause of people who get depression bad this time of year. It is the colder weather the shorter days and the lack of green in nature. Cabin fever.

      Humans evolved in tropical climates and many still may not be adapted to deal with the cold. Especially as one gets older.

      Not always. I am in Australia and we have been known to have real scorching weather. I would prefer cool to hot but that's the way it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Thank you for your kind words Jonathan. I wish you and yours all the best for the season and may 2022 be a better year for the whole world.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Now only if we could somehow bottle up the "good spirits" of Jonathan 2.0 and laurencewins we could make some serious money
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Originally Posted by discrat View Post

      Now only if we could somehow bottle up the "good spirits" of Jonathan 2.0 and laurencewins we could make some serious money
      Ha -- thanks discrat. You're a positive/cool Guy as well ... (One of the reasons I like reading your posts.)
      : )
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I wouldn't mind some serious cash right now
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  • Profile picture of the author Serene Carmen
    My husband calls me the Grinch. Need I say more! Never been a fan of exteneded family gatherings.
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