Thanksgiving is past with all its turkey delight, football and food-induced grogginess. Now Christmas approaches with decorations galore, gifts and eggnog. These are times for joy, but things often turn out to the contrary. A lot of people hate this time of year because of the commercialization of the holidays. After all, most stores had Christmas displays and sales going before Halloween was over. It made me wonder if it is true what others ask: Has the true spirit of the holidays been lost?
When I sat down to think about it, I came to the conclusion that it really hasn’t. This is the season of joy and love, but, most of all, gratitude. Most people don’t consider it, but just the power of “thank you” is significant.
You experience it multiple times in your everyday life to where most often take it for granted. You let someone merge into the lane ahead of you in traffic, and he or she wavse back in thanks. When you hold a door open for someone, he or she says thank you. A person is struggling to lift something heavy and he or she thanks you immensely, as you have gone out of your way to help them.
Do we do these things simply for sole purpose of selfish gratification? If you’re pessimistic, maybe we do. I would say, instead, that doing good works is in the nature of being a good person-that we should do what is right and treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves.
Think about it. How do you feel when a person walks through a door without so much as a glance or a word? Or when a person cuts into your lane and speeds off without a second thought? When you are brushed off harshly after trying to provide assistance to someone that apparently needed it? It’s not a pleasant feeling to be sure. Some small absence of gratitude can impact us so much. Gratitude, when present, can be so uplifting; but when absent, it can greatly bring us down.
On this last Memorial Day when I worked, I came across an old African-American man in a wheelchair. Upon his head he wore a hat that displayed “Korean War Veteran.” Having served one year in Korea in the Air Force, I talked about it with him as I helped him in the store. We shared experiences and the sights we had seen, even though they were 50 years apart.
When he was checking out and the time came for us to part ways, I took his hand and shook it while saying, “From one veteran to another, thank you for serving our country, sir.” He didn’t say anything, but I saw his eyes begin to water and knew those words meant so much to him.
It reminded me of when I landed in the United States after doing my tour in the desert. Walking out into the terminal, I saw more than 50 people standing in line. From old war vets to young teens, all stood there waiting to shake my hand, welcome me home and thank me. I was moved to tears and had to sit down afterward. I saw the other guys who came home with me on the same flight were touched deeply as well. Just a simple thank you had meant the world to me, as it had to the Korean War veteran.
If you look harder in all of this hubbub, you can seen the goodness that is overshadowed by the bad.
Thanksgiving includes that very notion of gratitude in its name. Giving thanks for the food we have on the table is something we all can agree upon. I am extremely thankful if there is jellied cranberry sauce! But it is also about giving thanks about being together with friends and family for a nice dinner.
True enough, Christmas is the time we exchange gifts. For greed of material goods? Perhaps it is so for some, but not for the majority. It is an act of kindness between friends and love for family. It is yet another time for family and friends to come together. Let’s not forget the ol’ Charlie Brown cartoon that reminds us of the greatest gift of all. A child is born unto mankind who will eventually give his life so that we may be saved and live on in happiness. For that, I can never give enough thanks and love.
The Salvation Army takes in so many donations from us to help those in need. So many people donate their time to work in shelters and kitchens to help the poor. This giving isn’t just limited to the holidays, but goes on year round.
Once I thought humanity was nothing more than a bunch of worthless savage and greedy animals deserving every tragedy they experienced. But the amazing spirit of people and the wonderful things they have done have shown me otherwise and brought me out of such a negative mindset.
I know that no family is perfect and that not every gathering may be a joyful one, but I know and feel that the true spirit of the holidays is in everyone. If the spirit of it dies, it is only because we let it. That is a part of us that disappears, possibly forever, if we are not careful. When you smile and thank someone, you literally spread the joy of the holidays. Trust me, I have seen a smile and thank you turn even the darkest mood bright.
So, whatever your belief is as far as religion, give in to the holiday spirit with a big grin and spread the joy. May everyone have a safe, joyful and blessed holiday season.
Anthony Cozad is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
