Every December, I gather all of my December journal entries from previous years and assess how far I’ve grown. During this year’s reflection, I realized that over the past few years, the world has become increasingly unfamiliar. There is a discrepancy between how things should be and how they are.
I’ve come to understand that the society I was born into no longer exists. Coming from the ‘90s, the adults around me set the example of how to be successful. It was as simple as obtaining a solid job with benefits to then purchase your home and start your family. It made sense to work diligently and attend college. These actions would open the portal to the American Dream.
But have you realized how the goal post for what we know our reality to be is being moved further and further? We don’t need to enter into the rabbit holes of tariffs, workforce burnout or fentanyl.
We can focus on how something as simple as the holiday season has been completely rewritten.
A budget cut here means more profit somewhere
We started in November, when Americans were told they would not be recovering their food assistance benefits. States came together to figure out what they could do for their constituents, and nonprofit organizations went into hyperdrive to help prepare food banks as best as possible.
During this time, my local Stop and Shop hired a security guard for the possible social response. Food stores thinned out, and I realized there weren’t as many people to maneuver around when I needed to grab groceries. Visually, I saw how many people were affected, and I wondered how they would be able to feed their families. As well as what would Thanksgiving look like for them?
Parallel to this, there were many companies rolling out their “Black Friday Deals,” but the percentages were 10%,15% or 20% at best. The time of 80%+ has vanished, and we can wonder if tariffs are to blame or corporate greed.
But wondering doesn’t change the fact that people are still reeling from current marketing schemes. Many companies have been accused of up charging an item, only to then apply a percentage that brings it back down to its normal retail price. The illusion of saving to gain sales might have worked at some point, but the cost of living has revealed a lot of truths to consumers.
I can’t afford Christmas
This year, I’ve been added to group chats where people are expressing their apologies as to why they can not afford Christmas this year. My friends and family are saying not to give them gifts because they don’t want to take when they can’t give.
My heart breaks each time I see a message regarding this. Mainly because I love them so much, demanding a gift for Christmas never crossed my mind. But my heart breaks to see how so many people are struggling.
I think it’s important to remember a few things as Christmas is this week:
- If you can give to others in this season, then think of how you can bless someone else. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be a service, spending time, checking in, or even sending a nice card.
- Remember that the holiday season can be hard for others. Offer love and friendship, forget about the material gifts.
- If you can volunteer, see what your local organizations need help with for this Christmas and lend a hand or donate.
- I want you to challenge yourself and, on Christmas Eve, write a list of all of the people and things you are grateful for. These are all the gifts you have been given to date.
If we keep our focus on monetary things, this world will just be a bleak source of discouragement. But if we turn our focus and attention to things of substance, we will be able to maneuver not only this Christmas but the many years we have ahead!