Happy Holidays!!

That's right, I said it. Happy Holidays! Why? Don't I believe in Christmas? Why does saying Happy Holidays seem to make people think you're anti-Christian or trying to be "politically correct?" Why can't it simply be an inclusive greeting?

There are more holidays being celebrated during this season than just Christmas. Not everyone out shopping is doing Christmas shopping. Instead of becoming irate and ranting about people saying happy holidays, why not practice the Christian belief of turning the other cheek?
If someone saying "Happy Holidays" to you instead of "Merry Christmas" is going to send you into a fit of public rage online, perhaps you need to revisit your own belief system and personal values. I don't believe it's demeaning to what you yourself believe. I personally think it embraces the Christian values of "Love thy neighbor" and the American values of freedom of Religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from persecution.

This season always saddens me with the intense commercialism. I buy Christmas presents. I like receiving Christmas presents. But I would trade it all in a heartbeat for meaningful time with those I love. My favorite presents in recent years have been gifts of events. Time spent doing something fun with those I love. I don't think I need to work 80 hours a week to buy my kids things I didn't have when I was growing up.

I think what I did have was way more important (in retrospect, maybe not at the time). What I had was a mom and dad that loved each other and us. I had Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that I saw frequently. I had hugs and love and attention from all of them. I was taught tolerance, love, understanding, and acceptance. I was taught resilience and  compromise. I was taught to crave knowledge and avoid ignorance. I was taught to find the reasoning behind other's way of life, thinking, and religions. I was encouraged to explore my own beliefs and develop my own faith and values. I can't define my own faith, it's an eclectic mix of personal values, teachings from several faiths, and what my heart tells me. I don't feel I need to define it, either. I rely on faith to center me, to find the peace and hope within me no matter what happens out in the world.

So Happy Holidays to all. May you find peace, love, and faith throughout the year.