It’s the least wonderful time of the year

By Sebastian Miguel
By Sebastian Miguel

The View

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are all synonymous with unity, good times, and family. This is not true for everyone, though.

Spending time with family, gathering around the Christmas tree and opening gifts is an optimal Christmas morning, but what happens when the pressure of pleasing family and friends sets in?

The full-fledged worship of consumerism has perpetuated the fear that nothing is perfect.

Thanksgiving presents an opportunity for families to spend quality time with one another; just a meal and the company of one another.

Between 40 and 50 percent of couples divorce, however, according to the American Psychological Association. Watching families celebrate, without having a family of your own, is another battle entirely.

Everyone wants to get the best gift for Christmas; the newest toy, video game console, or appliance. Financial hardships are very real, and the time of year does not change that.

Even when the holidays are here, people still struggle with their finances. If one can barely afford their mortgage, how can they afford the latest and greatest gift?

Some holidays are observed religiously, others are simply to bring people closer and focus on what really matters: family, friends, and fellowship.

Thanksgiving is not about Black Friday, Christmas is not about presents, nor is New Year’s Eve about partying.

They are all about one thing: stepping back and putting our lives into perspective. If hindsight is 20/20, then the holidays are the perfect time to look back upon the year.

Financial hardship and depression are very real dangers, but they should not scare us out of celebrating the holidays. The season should not be marked by depression and poverty, but by love and charity.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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