We, as human beings, are creatures of habit. First we find something that works for us, be it an exercise regimen, a team sport, a meditation practice or even something as simple as meal and sleep times. We repeat these things so they become a habit; the habit turns into expectation and expectation becomes a routine.
Routines are healthy. They keep us centered. They prevent us from wandering off into the darkness of our minds or the harsh realities of this world, which is no more than a speck on one far side of a giant galaxy amongst perhaps hundreds or thousands of galaxies in a limitless universe. That is the reality, whether we like it or not.
Routines are healthy. They keep us centered. They prevent us from wandering off into the darkness of our minds or the harsh realities of this world, which is no more than a speck on one far side of a giant galaxy amongst perhaps hundreds or thousands of galaxies in a limitless universe. That is the reality, whether we like it or not.
Routines also become things we take for granted once they become ingrained as standards in our lives.
Covid-19 and all that has come with it has presented us a change from what we had come to accept as 'normal'. Waking up, rushing to get breakfast and get out of the house so as to make it through rush hour and get to our office for our generally-practiced, five-day work week, followed by weekend outdoor activities such as group hikes, 10k races, going to a football game at the stadium, or indoor activities such a gym workouts, yoga, eating out, hockey games, lectures and movies have all fallen by the wayside in some form or another.
However, reality isn't always accepted. While Covid-19 ran its course (it has been terrorizing the Dakotas lately, a nurse's tweet went viral (pun intended) that people dying of Covid-19 there still refused to believe that's what was killing them even at their last breath), people still chose to attend mass political events and rallies without the proper distancing and masks, creating the new situation we find ourselves in, one where this disease is now spreading at a geometric pace, shattering records of case rate per day as well as deaths.
And yet, the expectation is that $50 million people, approximately one-sixth of our population, will be traveling to visit loved ones this Thanksgiving.
I think everyone understands that Thanksgiving is seen as a huge family holiday. We were the first country ever to proclaim a holiday simply in the name of being thankful. And while Thanksgiving isn't quite celebrated by Native Americans with the same historical fondness as the rest of America, one can hope that they can still use the day to appreciate their families, and have hope that America will continue to move toward understanding and repair of the historical tragedies that befell their peoples upon the arrival of the European Settlers.
It is further understandable many will brave the risk in their own cars, staying separate and visiting only the select family members they are traveling to see. But others will brave the crowds at airports, bus stations and train stations, see friends in the area and perhaps even be so bold as to go skiing and step inside a ski lodge, as if nothing is going on; Because habits lead to expectations, and expectations become routines, and routines are healthy and necessary, much like family.
William Bradford said at the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony in 1630 that all honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.
As we plow ahead toward a mass die-off event for the human race, one that will no doubt take close to two million souls once these initial waves pass, those that invoke their need for "freedom" at the expense of their fellow man aren't seeing the realities above. The human race is one race whether we believe it or not, just as we might view the Neanderthals as a race, or the dinosaurs as a race. They were unable to adapt, and they are no longer with us.
As the Holiday Season arrives, consider the idea that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We are used to spending our holidays with family and friends, the people that are most special to us. We often take them for granted the other 330-some-odd days of the year, and the expectation is they will be there at this beautiful time of year again.
This year, over 250,00 Americans won't be. Over 1.3 million worldly souls have left us. Those holiday tables will feel less than. There will be a space around the Chanukkiah, one less voice to say grace. a vacant spot in the garage, one less present under the tree.
It takes courage to do things that make us unhappy. And I can't think of anything that would make me more inherently sad than the thought of being alone during the holiday season. No friends, no family..... just a dark, lonely evening. I imagine what I would be thinking about sitting in my apartment alone, and I know what would come to mind.
Memories.
All the times I spent with my sister and her family at Thanksgiving back east. All the Hanukkah Celebrations around a family room table with gifts and candy coins, latkes and dreidels spinning. I imagine for a lot of you it would be the times spent at Midnight Mass, or having a Christmas Dinner, or waking up Christmas Morning and having coffee or eggnog and presents around a tree. Most of us even miss the idea of walking around a beautifully decorated mall, sipping hot chocolate outside and buying presents for those we love.
It is a devastating feeling to feel like you're alone. It's a more devastating feeling to actually be alone. For those of us who have elderly folks in our family, or people with certain conditions, etc. wouldn't it be the most devastating to be the reason that person can no longer create memories with us? Or that we were the reason someone else can't?
Perhaps the greatest gift we can give ourselves in this overly materialistic, Tiktok, no humility, me-first nation of ours is a choice to make due with less this holiday season. Instead of spending so much money on ourselves and our families and friends, maybe donate the money to food shelters and hospitals to feel the homeless, the sick and desperate and our heroes on the front lines fighting this illness.
This holiday season, spend some time by yourself, and remind yourself how much you appreciate those holiday celebrations when you will see your family in person again. Stay away from those this year that might be forever impacted by this surge in this virus, for as we know, a vaccine is on the way. Choose to break this routine with the courage and honour that Bradford spoke of so that the next time you do spend the holidays with loved ones, it is in good health and with true appreciation of all they bring to your life.
It is true indeed that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I wish you an appreciative and courageous holiday season, and a hope for a happy, and most importantly healthy new year.
However, reality isn't always accepted. While Covid-19 ran its course (it has been terrorizing the Dakotas lately, a nurse's tweet went viral (pun intended) that people dying of Covid-19 there still refused to believe that's what was killing them even at their last breath), people still chose to attend mass political events and rallies without the proper distancing and masks, creating the new situation we find ourselves in, one where this disease is now spreading at a geometric pace, shattering records of case rate per day as well as deaths.
 |
| A Trump rally in Winston-Salem earlier this year. |
And yet, the expectation is that $50 million people, approximately one-sixth of our population, will be traveling to visit loved ones this Thanksgiving.
I think everyone understands that Thanksgiving is seen as a huge family holiday. We were the first country ever to proclaim a holiday simply in the name of being thankful. And while Thanksgiving isn't quite celebrated by Native Americans with the same historical fondness as the rest of America, one can hope that they can still use the day to appreciate their families, and have hope that America will continue to move toward understanding and repair of the historical tragedies that befell their peoples upon the arrival of the European Settlers.
It is further understandable many will brave the risk in their own cars, staying separate and visiting only the select family members they are traveling to see. But others will brave the crowds at airports, bus stations and train stations, see friends in the area and perhaps even be so bold as to go skiing and step inside a ski lodge, as if nothing is going on; Because habits lead to expectations, and expectations become routines, and routines are healthy and necessary, much like family.
William Bradford said at the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony in 1630 that all honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.
As we plow ahead toward a mass die-off event for the human race, one that will no doubt take close to two million souls once these initial waves pass, those that invoke their need for "freedom" at the expense of their fellow man aren't seeing the realities above. The human race is one race whether we believe it or not, just as we might view the Neanderthals as a race, or the dinosaurs as a race. They were unable to adapt, and they are no longer with us.
As the Holiday Season arrives, consider the idea that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We are used to spending our holidays with family and friends, the people that are most special to us. We often take them for granted the other 330-some-odd days of the year, and the expectation is they will be there at this beautiful time of year again.
This year, over 250,00 Americans won't be. Over 1.3 million worldly souls have left us. Those holiday tables will feel less than. There will be a space around the Chanukkiah, one less voice to say grace. a vacant spot in the garage, one less present under the tree.
It takes courage to do things that make us unhappy. And I can't think of anything that would make me more inherently sad than the thought of being alone during the holiday season. No friends, no family..... just a dark, lonely evening. I imagine what I would be thinking about sitting in my apartment alone, and I know what would come to mind.
Memories.
All the times I spent with my sister and her family at Thanksgiving back east. All the Hanukkah Celebrations around a family room table with gifts and candy coins, latkes and dreidels spinning. I imagine for a lot of you it would be the times spent at Midnight Mass, or having a Christmas Dinner, or waking up Christmas Morning and having coffee or eggnog and presents around a tree. Most of us even miss the idea of walking around a beautifully decorated mall, sipping hot chocolate outside and buying presents for those we love.
It is a devastating feeling to feel like you're alone. It's a more devastating feeling to actually be alone. For those of us who have elderly folks in our family, or people with certain conditions, etc. wouldn't it be the most devastating to be the reason that person can no longer create memories with us? Or that we were the reason someone else can't?
 |
| Who among us doesn't enjoy all the holidays bring? |
Perhaps the greatest gift we can give ourselves in this overly materialistic, Tiktok, no humility, me-first nation of ours is a choice to make due with less this holiday season. Instead of spending so much money on ourselves and our families and friends, maybe donate the money to food shelters and hospitals to feel the homeless, the sick and desperate and our heroes on the front lines fighting this illness.
This holiday season, spend some time by yourself, and remind yourself how much you appreciate those holiday celebrations when you will see your family in person again. Stay away from those this year that might be forever impacted by this surge in this virus, for as we know, a vaccine is on the way. Choose to break this routine with the courage and honour that Bradford spoke of so that the next time you do spend the holidays with loved ones, it is in good health and with true appreciation of all they bring to your life.
It is true indeed that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I wish you an appreciative and courageous holiday season, and a hope for a happy, and most importantly healthy new year.
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