In The Beginning...

I know what you're thinking and the answer is: yes, fools, I have a blog. I think too many stupid things happen to stupid people to not let the world read about it. So if you're stupid, you should have a blog for people to read about all your stupid experiences.
And if A=B and B=C, therefore C=A. I am stupid.
Therefore, 'tis time for me to blog.

I may not know much, but really, who does? I've found that I'm at least half as smart as some of you, and some as smart as half of you, so there is much to be gained, obviously, from my insights on life, love, happiness, and, obviously, workout routines (though I never promised positive gains).

So, here we are, just over two weeks from Christmas Day, where each person chooses in their own way to worship the one thing that seems to be most sacred to us right now; presents. Yes. Presents. Christmas time seems to me, at least, that there should finally be something "more" that everyone wants to strive for; that one month out of the year where everyone seems to shove off their pessimism and selfishness, and can help others for a change. But then, it doesn't seem so much that way right now.

This time of the year, waiting for Christmas to come, makes me feel downright Grinchy.

I hate feeling Grinchy.

And I don't really have anything to preach about. It would make me too hypocritical, because I am greatly guilty of the same desires and selfish atmosphere that seems to come with a mass attitude of "giving".

But right now, two different aspects of this holiday seem to be colliding for control of the season. And, at least to me, one seems more correct over the other.

Compassion vs. Consumption.

Everyone needs a hand. And again, I'm not a perfect person. Not likely to fit the qualities of decent, most likely. So I'm guilty of everything I do not desire. But even at this age where getting new toys and "stuff" is very exciting and thrilling, I want to change that and be more of a helpful person and actually live the spirit of the holiday.

The man on a street corner begging for help is in direct competition with that of stores selling Christmas treats. Just...one has a better product to sell.

With a free market economy, the man on the corner is offering an alternative use for the scarce resource of our currency. But his "product" is a bit more nebulous than even the most complex lattes. But, in direct competition with coffee shops, and Christmas shopping, it seems less desireable than what other "things" we can purchase.

Our wealth is ours, and ours alone. And it is up to us what we do with it. And it's a subjective term that copares one inidividual with the rest. We are a target market; the demographic. I just hope that this Christmas myself, and hopefully others, will find more compassion in consumption.

Yeah, we are consumers. But we need not be consumed.

There is more wealth in helping a soul. And I'm hoping I can learn that.