Why We Celebrated a Giftless Christmas and Thoughts for the New Year

     Most Americans are willing to go into debt to buy useless and unneeded things to celebrate Christmas. They would never go into debt to buy food for the hungry or clothing for the homeless. They make time to rush around from store to store shopping, waiting in long lines and then wrapping the items, but "just don't have the time" to volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or anywhere else, unless compensation is involved.

     The typical American Christmas is simply an economic exchange. You buy an item for Aunt Eleanor, and she buys you one in return. Or you draw names, and everyone purchases a $25 item for the person whose name they've drawn. Often "lists" are made, so everyone ends up with an item they want. Reciprocity is expected and the items exchanged had better be of equal dollar value or someone will feel slighted.  Many see this as a good opportunity to unload  re gift that too-small sweater or ugly knickknack they received last year. When all else fails, gift cards are exchanged. You give the co-worker, in-laws or friend a gift card, and they give you one in return. It is nothing more than an exercise in consumerism.

     I won't call the items which are given "gifts", because very few people give actual gifts. A gift is something given willingly, with nothing expected in return- no reciprocity, not even a thanks is required.

    Anyone looking for a deeper meaning, who wants to opt out of this greedy, materialistic exchange is deemed a grinch or a scrooge. Giving to a charity in lieu of this exchange is considered cheap and miserly by some.

    I think we can do better. It's time to get off the materialistic merry-go-round and start making a difference. According to a recent piece in The Huffington Post by Jim Wallis, it would cost a mere $20 billion to provide clean water for every person on earth, while Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas last year. Just let that sink in. 

   

     Now I am not naive enough to think that my family opting out of the obscenity that has become Christmas could have any discernible effect on the suffering of humanity. But while I can't change the world, I can change me. Even though it may be very small, I can make a difference. If others begin to join in, the difference gets larger. To touch one life is make an impact. No act of kindness or generosity is ever wasted. Imagine what the world could be if everyone made an effort.

     This blog is about nutrition and healthy living, and I debated whether to post this. However, nothing is more important to health than feeding the soul. So as the new year begins, I am choosing to live each day trying to do as Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Hope you join me.