Darkness

Here it is, Thanksgiving. The beginning of the "holidays". I enjoy Thanksgiving, because we can show we are grateful for what we have. I don't make a big deal about going to some feast anymore, I'll be volunteering at a community center up in Birmingham to help with a run to raise money for the center and then feed some of the senior citizens the community center supports. I'm thankful I can help, it makes me feel better than the show of gluttony. As long as I can have a piece of pumpkin pie, I'm happy.

But then, comes the day after. What has become known as Black Friday in the U.S. It is aptly named. It is the beginning of the dark side of the holidays. The month log selfish, greedy consumerism before the wretched day of Christmas. What makes humans long for this abhorrant ritual, that for me, shows the dark side of the human? I'm hypocritical for sure. I went along with these rituals for years, to be accepted by our loved ones, to show friends we are "normal", to show ourselves that we can fit into "civilized" culture. A person can put up a false front for only so long. I know that most people think these same thoughts, but just go along with what our capitalist consumer based culture has brainwashed us to do. I have had enough of this CRAP.

What do I want? I don't want things. I want people to start living a life that creates, serves and protects life, all life, not just human. I want them to show respect for life by protecting the environment that is required for life to thrive. This season is about a man who taught us humility, not pride, is the right way to live. He taught us that we will be weak, but by knowing our weaknesses, we can build our strengthes to overcome these weaknesses. Anger and Vengeance are weaknesses, look at how it destroys us. (uh, niCk, get back on track).

How should we celebrate this season? First of all, for those that have plenty, they should be insulted by receiving more. When you have plenty, you share with those that don't. Loud, proud displays of roman origin should be erected by those that disagree with teachings of the man who this time is supposed to honor. We should give as much as we can, anonymously. To give, in order to seek confirmation of generosity, is just about pride, it is a weakness. Do not envy those who have things you don't have, enjoy the the fact the you are not burdened with more than you need. Work so that others may have the comfort you enjoy, so they may one day enjoy a life of charity. Work so that the comfort of sloth be replaced with the zeal to achieve an end to the need of consumer-driven events to fill the empty spaces of your lives. The lust for riches should be replaced with for craving for simplicity.

That's what I want. I want the darkness of the season to be filled with light.

darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
and lightness has a call that's hard to hear

Oh, while your out shopping for me, can you grab me some World Peace.

The graphic above was scraped from Fuzzy and Blue

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