Some days I am reminded of things I would rather not remember. Growing up in what was undoubtedly one of the most dysfunctional families around is one of them. And remembering the Christmases of my childhood, filled with family disharmony.
Is anything more painful for a child than watching family members fight at times which are meant to bring us together?
Peace on earth. Goodwill towards men...and women and the rest of us, too.
Or, you know, we could fight among ourselves until there is no longer an Us to worry about.
The series of graphics is called Ornaments. They are freely offered for this holiday season, intended as a gift to all of you. Clicking on a graphic should open a larger version in a new tab.
What really gets me is that some folks believe that each of us has to pick a side...or else we become the enemy as well. Whether we are accepted or rejected...whether we are labeled as good or bad...is to be determined, not necessarily by who our friends are, but by to whom we choose to remain civil.
Maybe it is just me, but I can't abide that sort of approach to life.
So if you don't mind, I'm just going to sit over here and create some graphics and maybe share some wisdom occasionally.
And I will also pick up, consider and try to learn from whatever may appear to be nuggets of wisdom cast into the ether by others.
I certainly don't understand the need people have to make list of who is on what side of an issue. That just seems to be the first step in developing grudges that never end.
And I have to wonder whose purpose that serves...as if it weren't apparent that it serves the same people we all object to: the people who profit from the misery of others.
First they ignore you...
then they laugh at you...
then they fight you...
...then you win.
Gandhi left out a step, the part where they get you fighting among yourselves.
It's a very important part, because it is what keeps the winning from happening.