We have a traditional holiday here in the U.S. where we set aside a day for Family and Friends and eat turkey. And mashed potatoes and gravy. And green bean casserole. And Pie. Lots of Pie...pumpkin, apple - any my dad's favorite: boysenberry.
It maybe began way back when when one group of folks shared their larder with another group of folks but has now turned into a National Holiday. And, traditionally, it is a time to think of all we can be thankful for.
***Here's an aside: I am personally NOT in favor of retailers pulling their employees into the workplace on Thanksgiving just so that the doors can open at midnight on "Black Friday." At one point in my working life I had a job as an assistant manager of a women's clothing section in an upscale department store. We had to report to work at 11 p.m. Thanksgiving night in order to ready the store for the Black Friday sales day the next morning. I didn't appreciate that I had to curtail time spent with my family on Thanksgiving so I could get a little sleep and I really didn't appreciate having to work 24 hours through Black Friday just so folks could get "bargains" and my employer could see profits. See, here's a bit of a secret about Black Friday for sales folks - people often return products bought on B.F. and at some retailers, those returns are put against the earnings of the sales staff who sold them. Same at Christmas time. Oh well. Back to being Thankful.
I wanted, this Thanksgiving, to suggest a Revolution. This is a revolution that anyone in any country on the planet can be involved with. It:
- doesn't require anyone to change political stripes
- doesn't require anyone to change religious beliefs [or gain beliefs, or abandon beliefs]
- doesn't require anyone to change residence or give up anything
- can be embraced by anyone of any age and both genders
- doesn't require anyone to "occupy" anything
Before I continue and let you in on this revolution, here's another quick aside: ***in my personal opinion the Occupy Whatever City camps need to be disbanded and those folks should clean up and go home.
Here's the truth of protesting: the first couple of days the message is clear and heard. After that it becomes a magnet for malcontents, drifters, Hippie-wannabees and those who will embrace any excuse to abandon responsibility.
I read about one young man who quit his job to join an Occupy camp and I was appalled at that. Why? Well, 1) who did he saddle his debts, bills and other financial responsibilities onto when he quit his job? 2) there are so many people out of work who have been looking for a paying job for up to two years now and this guy walks away from his? And he's proud of that? Makes me shake my head. Supposedly the Occupy movement was a protest against greed and unemployment and social inequality...stuff like that. Okay, fine. I can understand getting out on the actual Wall Street in New York City and hollering "Enough!" for a day or two. However, after that the movement needed [needs] to move into The System - the ballot box, op-ed, blogs...not tents and trash and creating an environment where I wouldn't want to take my grandson. [My town has its own Occupy spot and it has created an environment where I don't want to be...it doesn't feel safe.] I think a successful protest - in the U.S. - is one where you say your piece then take it to the Press like Molly Katchpole and even the ballot box.
Okay, enough on that. Back to a Revolution we all can be part of that can change the world for the better.
A Revolution of Kindness. Kindness: quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
What If:
- everyone said one kind thing to someone else each day?
- people held their tongue and did NOT react with unkindness?
- you let someone in line in front of you at the checkout line this Black Friday?
- we all smiled at someone today?
- we all choose not to use sarcasm as a tool? [personally I'm not a fan of tv reality shows where a "judge" gives negative, sarcastic remarks to contestants...I've never thought running someone down was humorous; hence I don't watch DWTS - the dancing might be great, but the unkind remarks made to contestants, as with Chaz Bono is unnecessary and cruel]
- the media [and those who seem to enjoy this kind of press] simply did not run the photos or stories showing the gaffs of others?
- what if you gave up your parking spot for someone else?
- what if you said "Thank you?" "Please?" "Forgive Me?"
- what if we gave a compliment instead of a criticism?
Does this seem foolish to you? Try it. I have. It does make a difference. Being Kind changes the interaction of one person with another. It requires you:
- to think of the other guy rather than yourself
- to expect nothing in return
- to smile
- to take an action resulting in a positive result for someone else [like giving up your place in line so someone can go ahead of you]
This Life is difficult enough without grumping, growling and being mean one to another. Since it's never been done, why not give global Kindness a try? It can only help.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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