So, this week is Christmas. Cue long ramble.
A
time of peace on the couch and good will to all edibles. Massive
credit card bills and overflowing trash bins. A time to reconnect
with family, even the ones you really do not want to see, and have a
really good fight. Rest and recuperate in front of bad movies from a
hard year of doing very, very little, ready for the sales. A
time to make your annual pilgrimage to church, if you swing that way
and Mom gets too shrilly insistent. To take time to ponder the
meaning of Christmas. Or at the very least, to count your blessings.
What blessings?
Good question. Glad you asked it.
Got
to admit, I was a bit stuck to give an answer that was not bitter and
twisted, then this popped into my mailbox here at Guyspeak. No name
attached, of course. For the depression and violence ones, there
never is. It got me thinking. Yes, most guys can actually think,
given a hard enough kick to the brain.
Helping others is
probably the most under rated and under appreciated blessing people
have. You can be showy about it, sure, or forced into it, but most
people just quietly get on with it. Never really think about it, just
do it as a matter of course. Gals are particularly good at that, but
we guys have our moments too.
The area I live in, at the moment, could charitably be described as a cross between a war zone and San Quentin, with a strong seasoning of Hell thrown in for good measure. Throw a stone in any direction and you'll hit a crack house or a brothel and have to run for it, before you get shot. If something is not nailed down, it gets stolen. If it is nailed down, they steal a crowbar from someone else to use.
Yet I left the house yesterday to find that all the side walks, and all the paths leading to the houses of the elderly, had been cleared of the overnight snowfall - by one of the local gangs. They just decided to do it. No reason, no expectation of reward - just because they are part of the human race. Part of the neighbourhood. And needed to feel needed.
Sometimes blessings come in strange packages. So have a think back over the year, and see what a difference you have made in the lives of others. I think you'll all be pleasantly surprised.
Happy Christmas.
Meanwhile, I have to track these kids down again and get my @:!%%@@!!!! snow shovel back.
You know what, MM? Of all the 'guys', I appreciate your answers the most. They are concise, honest, and make no attempt to coddle people. I feel as if the LAST thing many of the question-askers need is to be placated. I fully realize I may put myself under fire for saying so, but people in general do need a dose of reality. And that is clearly what you do best. You can be humorous too; which is a plus. But you provide logical answers and stick to your guns when harped at. I really admire that. YOU are an under-appreciated blessing to people seeking solutions to their problems. I just thought you should know. Happy Holidays(?) and thank you.