Well, it seems we've all survived
another Black Friday and Cyber
Monday. And while I certainly
didn't participate, I watched in
shock and awe from afar. Images
of people trampling each other for
toys and electronics are still just
as shocking but anything but new.
Somehow being part of the pack
empowers some to act as if they
are invincible. Otherwise why do
some chase angry bulls in Spain?
Is the thrill of the kill worth it all?
Beating down one's neighbors to bag
a bargain is not a new phenomena.
Historically when a sale truly was a
sale, people would line up around the
department store for the chance to get
a hat for a dollar. While the idea of
digging through bins of bras is not a
bit titillating to me, for many it's the
motivation to buy two versus one.
We all love getting something for
nothing. Add the concept of limited
quantities and suddenly proper people
become a band of marauding maniacs.
Such behavior really should be a crime.
Yet vigilantism continues to run rampant
worldwide. The very idea that a crowd
feels they have the right to be judge,
jury, and executioner on a whim baffles.
Our world is unfair as both sides of sad
events in Hamilton seem to think. Who
is right and is there any benefit to brute
force? Joining a posse may empower,
but what do said "innocent bystanders"
think when things get out of hand? Can
they honestly claim to be victims also?
Is the onus on the leader or follower?
Being caught up in a tsunami of passion
can obviously carry one away. However
the challenge is to not allow emotion to
take you to the wrong place even if it's
for the right reason. The idea of giving
someone you love something precious
is a lovely thought. Yet the fact that said
treasure must be attained by climbing
over small children or tackling grannies
is distressing at best. Isn't there a better
way to tether our energy for good versus
bad? I highly doubt that saving seventy
percent is worth losing one's humanity.
Maybe that's why many volunteer at
soup kitchens on Thanksgiving Day.
The act of dishing out some turkey
not only feeds the poor, it nourishes
the soul of those more fortunate. So
what if we all stopped the mania?
Could we collectively re-channel all
the energy we dedicate to shopping,
wrapping, and decorating into other
things more beneficial? While Santa
revels in the frenzy leading up to the
twenty fifth, could all us elves stop
shopping and start helping others?
I'm not sure what that means but we're
toning things down this year. Frankly,
I'm doing my best to resist going over
the top. I'm shopping locally while
limiting my material benevolence.
Instead we've drawn up a list of those
less fortunate. Post a meeting with my
accountant, we plan to write more than
a few checks. We've been very blessed
and hence it's our responsibility to give
back. What if everyone did the same?
Together we can make this holiday the
best ever! Power to the people!