Okay I don’t want to give into the hoilday hype, but let’s face it. This time of year it’s being shoved down our throats weather we want it or not. To be honest in some ways I have become anti-Christmas. Oh I still love the thought of gathering around a fireplace or tree, singing carols, reminiscing over the year gone by. I really love the ritual of Christmas, just not our world has turned it into. I live in Las Cruces NM, and I noticed the last two years that as soon as Back-to-School was over a lot of stores would slowly let Christmas creep out of the back stock room. Like Christmas crap is a fungus that infects department and speciality stores a life sucking force that zaps the life out of the clerks. Honestly it’s heartbreaking to think about those of you who work in any sector of retail right now. Many prayers this time of year for you guys.
This that grey part of the year in retail. For those who have never worked retail, let me explain. This is the time of year you learn what type of person you manager really is. If Christmas Carols are going, you have a Grade A dick on your hands. My condolences, I pray for people in your situation this time of year. If it’s still normal year round fair, then congrats, the latter are very jealous. They have a boss who wants to wait till real Christmas time for all that Jazz. Let’s face it Christmas is a pretty long season, no matter how short this one will be, thank Bob. So has it begun? Brace yourself the Christmas Nausium is Coming!!!
It’s all good. We can survive this trying times of long hours, parties, braving any store (even grocery), that one relative or co-worker who is just too Christmas wat too early and way too long. Yep we all have that type in our lives too. With everything the holidays can bring it’s nice to know a few things to help you with keeping something that is always in short supply when bombarded with the holiday ‘cheer’, and that is patience. You know that thing you have the other 40 weeks a year it seems like.
First let’s take a moment to remember what the holidays may mean for other people. A hypersensitivity to one’s place in family and social totems. We all have family and friends, but the holidays brings a faulse sense of rank to some people, and the awarness of isolation in others. Even if we personally may not have these traits triggered, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be aware of these things. These are the people who probably need our help the most. These are normally actions that come a place of hurt.
Totem people tend to have these actions come from a place of not belonging. Somewhere along the line they were shunned, or ostracized for some reason. Now they feel the need to have that sence of place and belonging again. With friends and family it’s best to try to include these types of people into your plans, or if too far away make sure to explain your plans. Even if you get turned down by these people, the gesture alone will touch them profoundly. Sending a pic text every so often to this group will also help keep them happy as well. Now with coworkers again include them in events around the office, like when you decorate. The gesture is what counts, and will make Secret Santa at the office party a little less awkward this year.
Then you have lonely people. These are heart breaking sometimes. Life, circumstance, and karma can collide into one ugly massive pile of hurt. These are people who my their own doings or serendipity have no one for the holidays. Some of these people get very aware of that as they see everyone around them scurrying around planning parties with family, arranging travel plans and shopping for gifts. These are the ones that you may notice withdrawal into them selves more and more. They be doing that very unhealthy bindge drinking alone behavior, or other outwardly signs of a deeper depression. Making sure to reach out to those who fall into this group is very important. Don’t push, just keep making regular contact. Sometimes it takes time to get past the shell of depression, they will start to respond in time. This is the season to think of our fellow man, and we all know at least one person who falls into this group. What’s another dozen cookies, or Christmas card compared to the light and comfort taking a few minutes out of your day can bring this person. Who knows this might help them move towards a better station in life come spring. Spreading your light in little ways can show the way to others. I have found a lot of times are lost from years adrift on a tiny island they call their life. They are delicate, often beautiful torchered souls who just need some light to begin to thrive again.
The overly Christmas person. This is an interesting mix of people. Please first idenify the sub group before proceeding. There is the eternal child, the lonley soul, and the wonder lover. All are super a surgery all season long. Almost to a point of questioning the amount of baked goods or coffee they have had before even leaving the house. They amount if holiday flair they can shove in one place blows even the minds of champion Jenga players and physicists. All you see is a tiny box come in and suddenly there is a Macy’s Day Parade float. They range from kinda adorable to kill me now. Bright side they usually are the ones who know the best recipes or bakeries.
The eternal child. My favorite of the overly Christmas sub groups. The whole season is one long game of parties, shopping, cooking, and friends. They see the joy of the chance to play and have fun. They love a good time, usually tasteful gift givers. Even with the tacky holiday sweaters for everyday of the month, they bring a special light all their own. They remind of us the simplicity of Christmas again. It’s about taking a moment to play each year. Stop and enjoy the blessings you have in your life. Allow ing yourself the chance to reconnect with our inner child. This sub group does that and offers so much more light. Great with kids, and older people they charm and blend into any situation loving the moment of togetherness. I would toss these guys in a toy store or at kids at functions with them and let them go nuts. Also let yourself get infected a little if you are not of this group. Laughter with people can do you some good too.
The mirical wonderer. Often religious, loves to bask in the glory of the birth of their massiah, or prophet. Lots of neitivity sceans, and angels. Little less over the top. Usually asks you to house of worship holiday musical function. Bakes the best what ever is their speciality you’ll ever taste. Seems totally at peace this time of year. The sky could fall in chunks to ground and this sub group will just smile and grap a broom. Nothing breaks the perfect zen that this time of year gives them. Overall not too bad to deal with, and it’s nice to have those vibes this time of year around. Mostly just go with the flow with these guys. Anything from cookie parties to shopping trips are fun and somehow less stressful with this sub group. Even if you are not of their faith you can’t deny the power of calm and peace of this sub group is hard to deny. Let the zen do ya some good and just go with the flow with them, they aren’t offened normally if you say no to social gatherings. They are too busy buzzing on the vibes of their religious experience. This sub group will also likely take down all of the major holiday pieces come New Years. They my leave snow flakes and angels out till Valentine’s Day. Winter is cold and dark, so it’s understandable. Something pretty to brighten your day. 
Now the loney ones, I actually should refer to them as a over compinsater. They may have family and not be able to get with them, or no longer have them any longer. This season gives them a reason to let out externally express what’s going on on the inside. This sub group can be hard to pin down if you aren’t used to that type of energy. Good way to know is this underlining sence of confussion. Like you just can’t figure it out. Please, unless you are a trained health care professional please just let them live their fantasy. Greif is a weird thing and what makes no sence to one makes perfect to another. We all grieve in our own way. Normally they will go through all the motions just fine with little to no drama. The act if the holidays can make a person feel close to those whom they have lost. It is about being close to the ones you love in all shapes, ways, and forms.
Okay I have to address this particular type of people as well. We all have at least one person in their lives that can fall into this group. The crapapple. This person is bitter. It’s the world’s and everyone’s fault. They a snarky and have a grinch like charm all year round. You’ swear they haven’t the emotional depth of a hampster. I tend to take these people even less seriously during the holidays. They are going to have their sunny disposition all year any how. Deal with them another time of year. Get them a nice bottle of wine or something along those lines and call it a day. Don’t let them rain on your parade, the holidays are stressful enough. Try to remember they are either a young or deeply hurt soul. They just need the time to grow, or stop crying long enough to ask for help. We all grow at our own pace, so just smile and nod. They’ll think they won and will be happy.
Let’s try to aware this year, and maybe we can try to avoid some holiday drama. Our growth levels become appartent during the holidays. You may also see things in people you might not had seen before. This time of year effects everyone differently. Try to keep family, love, and togetherness at the core of all of your festive plans this year and you will heal everyone around you without even trying. We should all have healthy, happy winter seasons. May all of you have a blessed season this year.
Namaste
And may the blessings of tomorrow find you today in perfect rite.
