I Am The 1%*

I'm having a really hard time with this whole thing. This whole, "Holiday" thing.

 

For those that know me very well, you may understand exactly what I'm referring to. But for those who do not know me well, or perhaps you do and you need a hint, I am referring to this whole Yule-tide bacchanalia.

 

We are surrounded on all levels by discontent. Hatred. Anger. Fear. You name it, there's definitely an app for it.

 

The 99% have risen up and will no longer be satisfied to sit on the sidelines. There is rioting in the streets. Disharmony in our schools. People no longer trust the banking system and have migrated to greener pastures via credit unions. And more. So much more.

 

And at the same time, I hear newscast after newscast saying that retailers are expecting the biggest Black Friday & Cyber Monday ever. Stores are opening earlier and earlier, so much that the turkey barely has time to cool off before we're jumping aboard the family sleigh in search of the ever elusive "deal".

 

And so, I scratch my head in confusion.

 

The country has finally found a voice for it's discontented, it's miserable, it's downtrodden masses, no longer afraid or alone to stand up and claim what should be theirs in their minds; at the same time we're lining up to get a 70% discount on the automatic gumball machine we've had our eyes on for Uncle Freddy this year.

 

What the hell is the matter with us as a society? Seriously?

 

There is no better time of year, or in our own lives for that matter, to finally come to grips with the season that is before us - regardless of what your religious overtones may be. Nature, in it's infinite wisdom, has provided us our own cicadean rhythm that allows us - no, gifts us - a chance to reflect, to go within, to reach out, and rejoice that we are alive. That we have each other. That we matter - not only to each other, but to ourselves as well.

 

In this season of chaos and lunacy, in this season of madness and hyperspeed, in this season of avarice and vice - wouldn't it be nice if we just actually let go of everything and just spent time with each other? For so many of us in this festive season, that's all we have. We have lost homes, jobs, vehicles, all the trappings that come with being a "valid member of America", and for those of us who haven't, it truly is a blessing, isn't it?

 

Like the Whos down in Whoville who lost their trees, gifts, meals, etc, etc, it didn't kill Christmas. It came just the same.

 

But in this world of corporate commercialism and greed, I often feel like I am the 1% against the 99%. So, for anyone that still believes and hopes in the essence of Winter's Season, I send you this message. The 1% is still alive - and as long as it lives, I shall continue to honor it.

 

Love,

JC