I made a decision today. It’s a decision that I’ve made several times before, but not for this reason, and now I guess you can say the decision is affirmed and rooted.
I’ve never been a fan of political correctness. I think as long as you’re respectful to people then they’ll understand where you’re coming from without all of the dancing around issues that don’t really exist. I’ve practiced this for the most part, and have come away reasonably successful so it must work.
So now I’d like to turn a little bit of political correctness on its head and make it work. Say you’re English. Is it bad for me to wish you a happy Independence Day? Well, as long as it’s said respectfully (not sarcastically), I don’t see why not. Wishing for someone to have a happy day on a day that will also be happy for me seems like a heart-felt wish. If they wished me a happy Guy Fawkes NIght, I wouldn’t see any reason to be insulted. It’s not necessarily my holiday, but it’s still a wish for me to be happy so I’ll accept that with a smile.
So then we get to religious holidays, and don’t forget, we live in a country that’s guaranteed freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Why are we all dancing around our holidays like they don’t exist? Walmart has no problem spending BILLIONS on Christmas ads to get you in their store, but then they say “Have a happy holiday” when you give them your money. What? We’re not allowed to utter the word “Christmas” out loud in a business setting anymore?
So, I’ve spent years being upset about this and watching the problem grow, and then noticed that “Have a happy holiday” started popping out of people’s mouths on New Year’s. Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot that we live on a calendar that was commandeered by Pope Gregory! Oh the pity of it all! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? We could have been on the Chinese calendar long ago, but then it’s also another religious calendar so that wouldn’t work either.
Do you see how thinking about it just blows the happiness right out of it? Makes you want to go to bed at 9:00 and wake up the next morning wondering if it’s next year yet.
Anyhow, the reason I’m writing all of this is, today I was told THREE times to have a happy holiday. Alright, I think I will. Do you even know which one? I mean, come on….this holiday happens to be built around the idea of being thankful for the good things in our lives. How has it become incorrect to say “Happy Thanksgiving?” Are we really that vain?
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, because it does give a chance to pause from all the busy-ness, gather a few people around you, and express your gratitude.
So, before I get started on how I feel about Black Friday, I’ll end this with a warm, heartfelt wish to all of you for a truly Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have the opportunity to pause, be grateful for what you have, and spend a little time with people you care about, wherever you are.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!