"INTENTIONS: It's the thought that counts"

02 December 2008
We’ve made it through October with Halloween treats adding a little extra padding around our middle. November allowed us to stuff ourselves with “Thanksgiving” and enough leftovers found in most homes to feed a Third World village. December has arrived promoting Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa (I listed them in alphabetic order and if I have forgotten a particular group gift me with forgiveness, OK?). Many of us will attend our religious and secular social gatherings with gusto. By the time this month is over we will have eaten too much and/or partied too much, as well as, spent too much. Of course, we all intend to show some self disciple, don’t we?

Odd isn’t it that this most religious time of the year to promote thankfulness, cheer, renewed focus on important values and “good will to all men” we end up with clogged arteries, drained wallets, grated nerves and strained families. So, tell me, which group is promoting God the most during this time? I know, I know, you had good intentions.

Christians claim to celebrate the miraculous Virgin Birth of Jesus, the Son of God, born in a stable. Jews claim to celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days during the rededication of the Temple during the Maccabeen Period. African culture is celebrated in Kwanzaa as a way to reaffirm and restore their community roots. And I can’t help but wonder if the majority of people in each group sings at least one song about either Santa Claus or Rudolf, the Red Nosed Rain Deer. That would put us all into the same group now wouldn’t it? At least, we intend to be good regardless of our group.

Of course, you’ll agree with me, I am sure, that everyone has a right to celebrate anyway and anything they want, it’s the American Way. Still, I can’t help wondering if it makes sense any more.

This time of year is so commercialized it just seems ridiculous – does anyone really NEED half the stuff we go in debt for buying presents? There is nothing wrong with gift giving but something is wrong.

Let’s re-summarize the month of December again: Christmas is a time to celebrate. Hanukkah is a time to remember. Kwanzaa is a time to renew/refocus. Santa Claus and Rudolf are sung about. We all intend to be good.

Pretty simple but I don’t think it’s enough to bring about “good will to men.” We’re all too preoccupied with our own issues and we have a long way to go to get “peace on earth.” But we intend to try harder, right?

So what’s the solution? I don’t know. That’s right, I DO NOT KNOW. You and me have allowed things to get so far out of hand that we drive like the devil, spend like there’s no tomorrow, eat like it’s our last meal, and wear ourselves out celebrating, remembering and renewing/refocusing. All the while we are rude shoppers, isolated worshippers, cantankerous guests and impatient citizens. I shudder to think what would happen if everyone decided that they all wanted the same bargain at the same time. Someone could get killed! But it’s the thought that counts….kinda like it isn’t what’s done but what’s intended.

Until we get things sorted out, how about all of us dropping a few extra dollars in the Salvation Army Kettle when we see one. Don’t dart your eyes away when you walk into the store. Prepare to have a dollar in your hand as you enter or exit the store to put in the kettle because you know they are there to help someone else. What a novel idea – everybody giving to help complete strangers. Wow, if this caught on, it would be a modern day miracle!

Well, one of these days The Reaper is going to hand in his final report to Someone higher. Between now and then I suggest you intend to celebrate, remember and renew/refocus with a little more emphasis on action because rumor has it that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

THE GRIMM REAPER REPORT © 02 December 2008

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