I think I've figured it out...
Contrary to popular belief, I really don't hate Christmas. After some overdue soul searching today, I have realized that it is NOT the decked halls of holly, festivals of trees, Jack Frost nipping at my nose, or even (gasp!)the commercialism of the holidays that gets me down (although that certainly is towards the bottom of my likings list). So I ask myself, if Jolly Old Saint Nick is in fact NOT my nemesis...what's the problem here? Why does this time of year cause me so much anxiety?
ANSWER (grab your seats boys and girls...this one is deep):
I don't hate being blithe and chipper, I don't hate that others are lively and gay (1850's meaning), I hate the expectation that says I am SUPPOSED to be happily galavanting around with a smile on my face because guess what? we stapled some lights to our wall. How can we place a standard like that on the entire human race? If someone wants to not be merry and bright...let's just let them. If gingerbread makes you happy...it makes you happy. If gingerbread makes you break out in hives and stop breathing...well, no one should force you to eat it. That's really all I'm saying here.
Here is my idea of a perfect Christmas: We just think about Jesus and whoever wants to enjoy some holiday traditions...they just go right along and help themselves. But no one is expected to do anything. If a tree makes you happy and reminds you of Jesus, put one up. If a tree is a pain that you dread from March 21st, cut that one out. Back to basics, that's what I say. ABC 123.
So in summary: I'm not against the holidays, I'm against you making me not be against the holidays. I'll be against it if I want to, which I don't. But don't force me here.
Like I said...simple.
