I have a gripe. A major holiday gripe.
I think that it’s absolutely ridiculous that I hear more people get honked at or see more people flipped off in the month of December than any other time of year. The flipping off & the honking is all being done by someone who has been shopping in order to create warm fuzzy memories with their loved ones on Christmas Day, yet they forget all the warm fuzzies the minute someone does something they don’t like. That’s evidence of the”ME! ME! ME! MINE! MINE! MINE!” attitude that is so prevalent this time of year.
I was in the store waiting to pick up an online order the other day & a woman cut to the front, yelled at the staff, the staff runs off frazzled leaving the rest of us who had been standing in line waiting our turn, & then the woman turns to us & tries to get us to be angry with her. When the staff person came back, we all saw that this woman had been yelling over a puzzle. A PUZZLE!
I don’t think this woman is bad or evil, we all have our public cringe worthy moments (oh, trust me! I have had a few, okay several!) I know she’s stressed, she’s trying to get Christmas finished, her kids may be sick, husband may be laid off work, who knows what is going on in her life, this post is not a “let’s all shame that lady” post. This is a, let’s all have some perspective, so that when we hit our most hectic, awful moments between now & December 25, we aren’t the ones yelling at people over toys. On a scale of one to ten, yelling over a $5.00 present is less than a ZERO.
Let’s keep the reality of what this is all about & if we are going to yell about something, let’s yell more about the family bathing their children in the bathroom of the grocery store because they can’t afford to keep the water on this holiday season (true story that I witnessed first hand a few years ago!)
Let’s be mad about the kids who don’t get to eat because school has been out for a week because of snow & ice and the only meals they typically get are the ones served in the cafeteria.
When we all (myself included)Â remember that puzzles, waiting in line, someone not going through the green light quick enough, or being frustrated when things don’t go our way will all seem so small compared to the bigger picture.
 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. –Romans 15:13
How do you keep perspective throughout the craziness that is this time of year?!
Katie Van Brunt says
This outrages me! I really don’t have anything else to add because you’ve said it all… But really people! Get your perspectives in order!
Katie Van Brunt Most Recent Post…Bumpdate: 17 Weeks ~ Baby #2
Kate @ Mommy Monologues says
I know that I can be just as guilty & I just want to make sure that I’m not pointing the finger at everyone else & not thinking about my own actions!
And on the other hand, the attitudes are crazy!
Thanks for stopping by!!! Good luck with your pregnancy!
Kate @ Mommy Monologues Most Recent Post…Let’s Keep Some Perspective People
Laura Jane says
Amen. AMEN! I almost dread December because of the attitudes most people have. It’s like a switch is flipped the day after Thanksgiving and I find myself feeling disgusted with people. I’ve seen so much hatefulness and ungratefulness this season and I pray for the years to come. It will only get worse and worse. I love Christmas and everything about it, but it isn’t about getting the best presents or the perfect parking spot. I’m tired of commercials in droves that sing “Shop Shop Shop Shop Shop” (literally) instead of Fa La La La La.
I’m tired. It’s time to simplify Christmas and to focus on family, togetherness and joy.
Kate @ Mommy Monologues says
Oh yeah, the world goes insane on Black Friday. I dread going out!
The woman from the blog post & I ended up having a good conversation, I just steered it in a different direction. I wasn’t going to sit there & bad mouth people who have been working in the SNOW & ICE so that we could all have our cheap toys. It was a good lesson for me to check myself & make sure I don’t act like this myself!
Kate @ Mommy Monologues Most Recent Post…Let’s Keep Some Perspective People
Jackie says
This year the majority of my shopping has been done online. No lines, no angry/upset people, no searching for a parking spot…. just me and the computer. Everything is in stock too!
I think that some people get a little crazy around this time of year and need to slow down and remember that it’s not about all the presents.
Jackie Most Recent Post…Lost
Kate @ Mommy Monologues says
Oh yes Jackie! All my shopping has been done via Amazon or Walmart.com. The only reason I went to the store to pick up that gift is because it was a site to store! And it was chaos! All my gifts will be delivered to my front door today actually! Now to start wrapping!!!
Kate @ Mommy Monologues Most Recent Post…My Birthday Month
Kamila says
Angela – Gorgeous pictures! I love the whole setup with the young boy!! And what a wernodful tradition! This is the look I love! These type of portraits are Heirlooms! The little girl, oh my what a doll baby! Gorgeous! I love the dress and it works so well with the backdrop! It is absolutely perfect! I would describe your photos as PRICELESS!