In all seriousness

YAY! It's that time of year again.
I have had my share of the crap this year. But I have decided to help others out instead of wallowing. Believe it or not, it helps me to help others.

If you can find an opportunity to give to others this year, DO IT! It wouldn't hurt any of us to think about something other than our own crap for a bit.

Merry Christmas!

 

You're a good man, Drew. :smile:

 

Wow! Has it been a year already? Seems fast! I try to give in many ways (financially, spiritually, emotionally) to others all year long and I often think about the subtle issues wih giving such as giving for the RIGHT reason and not looking for recognition in return. I strive to be in the right place but it is funny how the mind plays its tricks...you know, secretly wanting someone to recognize your generousity and awareness. But I have had more "help" in that area than I expected this year...there have been a number of times when I gave (cash, parts, time, work, smiles, etc.) and then was completely ignored by the recipient! Perfect! It helps us realize the best reason for giving: just because it is the right thing to do.
Happy Holidays fellow hooligans! Go ahead...give!

 

I have some neighbors who are as Drew discribes. To lift their spirits and to extricate them from thier shell of depression, I fire up my two-stroke leaf blower with the bad muffler.

 

Don't say nuttin', juss DO IT. :hillybillybango:

 

Happy Holidays!!!!
Pull up a chair, pour a drink and chat with friends.


Too many other people in the world trying to do you in. Don't help them out.

 

I wish that I could say I've been as good about this as you. You are truly an inspiration brother. Rock on man.

Here's to making 2010 better than 2009!

 

I have found that in a lot of ways life is really what you make it.
I spend a bunch of time feeling crappy and depressed, and I was crappy and depressed.
I have been trying to keep my focus on the good things and the gifts and blessings and my attitude has improved, even if my circumstances have not.

Share the love my friends, share the love.

 

It’s true; I know and have known people that go into an absolute tailspin this time of year. It is as if they are overwhelmed with depression and sadness or loneliness. Christmas can be wonderful as we all know but if bad things happen around Christmas, like the loss of a loved one it accentuates feelings every year that follows. It also has the effect of amplifying loneliness for those who are alone, homeless, or whatever. And then there is the pressure to get a thousand things done and the anxiety the money spent brings with it. I certainly would like to see a Holiday season that was not hijacked by all those commercial interests intent on making money. Further, is it really necessary to start with the Christmas ads before Thanksgiving? In these times with people out of work, in underpaying jobs or part time gigs we should really take a step back and consider what we are celebrating. I would rather give than receive, rather enjoy time with family and people that are close to me than get a large screen TV. I just as soon share a good meal and do without gifts. If there were only a way to make Christmas less commercial, more inclusive and more focused as apposed to a six week long build up I do think it would help. I think those who fall into melancholy, and it is shocking how many do, might fair a little better, and we can all get back to some basics which includes remembering what we are celebrating.

 

Great thoughts! IMHO, in EVERY way, life is what you make it. We have all seen miserable wealthy people and very happy and content poor people. Life is a state of mind. And you can influence others for the better or the worse. It is your choice.
And Jimtt has some great points...there ARE holidays that don't have a lot of commercialization but they are not in the Christian traditions...you have to look at things like Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, etc. They simply have there special days and events and while there are small, local build-ups it is nothing like the Western tendency to turn things into commercial gain. Oh, and things like the Winter Solstice don't have commercial elements. Build a fire, play some hand drums and party all night on the 21st...feel a part of the Earth and its rhythms...
Groovy and Good Karma! Sorry, gotta go...it is time to turn over my Sonny and Cher LP...

 

It is all too easy to feel depressed when observing the world around us, since it really does suck. The challenge, which Drew has taken up, is to improve our world, even just a little, by sharing the love. Trust me when I tell you brothers, it works, and it's the right thing to do.

 

Thanks

Drewl,
Thanks for reminding us to think of others sometimes.
I, like a lot of others have been through some of what you
are talking about. When you have family that loves you it is
a tremendous blessing. We have to remember that not everyone
has this great support.
I read all of the replies to your post and definitely am feeling
better myself about humanity.
Thanks and everyone out there have a Merry Christmas and a
much better New Year.

 

thanks for the thread Drewl and Merry Christmas

 

Thanks for kickin' this one back to life.

Don't forget our troops! On the evening news today some mother of two or three in a Chicago suburb had to inform her husband (via Twitter), stationed in Afganistan, that their house burned to the ground. The mother was on the news telling how total strangers were pulling up in their cars offering money, clothes and help. She had a big smile on her face because she was overwhelmed at the outpouring of love on this tragic day for her family. Now that's the spirit we need in these hard times for Christmas!

 

great thread..I've been lurking on the forum since earlier this summer when i got my class m, but haven't ever introduced myself to you guys. My name is Dek, I'm 21 and a senior at Gettysburg College majoring in psychology and economics. Great forum here with a lot of good people from what i've read while lurking!

Anyway I've always tried to do small things that I thought would "make a difference" for people who were feeling down, but lately i've been depressed myself. I was initially ashamed to admit it and wasn't very good at expressing why i was feeling bad, but went to talk to a counselor about what was going on. I quickly realized that depression (and life challenges in general) can't be tackled alone, and it's made me appreciate my family and friends so much more.

Here's to using the holidays to show people, both those close to you and people you don't know, that things aren't so bad and we have a lot to be thankful for.

 

Welcome aboard, Dek.
Cool way to enter the forum.
We do have alot to be thankful for. If you share some of your joy, you will not have less...only more.

 

Hi Dek, welcome! JIM

 

Welcome aboard Dek; it's good to have you. You've learned a valuable life lesson -- we can't handle everything alone. We can handle anything together.

 

Welcome Dek, thanks for the feedback. Since I live in the Arizona-Sonoran desert I like your Forum name. Any special reason for it?

 

Thanks for the welcome guys..Nungboy, I chose that name for all forum stuff a while back cause I drive a 2005 Saab 92x Aero- essentially a WRX wagon, and its "desert silver metallic". Pretty rare car in a rare color, but other than that not much to the name!

Here's a pic of the whip: