Dec 24

Dec 24 The Holidays

I’ve been figuring out what to write for a holiday post for quite a while. It’s been much harder than I thought. The world is an odd place right now, and we live in a strange time. Personally, we’ve had some severe struggles in our house this year, but we continue to get through day by day. It’s those struggles that make you appreciate the good things, and it’s helped me realize how many amazing people I have in my life.

I can’t express in words how lucky I am to have a group of friends to play D&D with every Saturday. None of us knew each other in the beginning. Now we are all close friends. They are family, and I would like to thank each and every one of them for being a part of my life. Even Stephen.

The holidays are a time for people to get together to celebrate. It doesn’t matter whether Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or none of the above. They are the names we give to the basic guidelines we work under during this time. Each one provides a framework for those that believe. The gifts and presents are the fluff. The songs and prayers are the traditions. But if you drill down, the core of the holidays is the same no matter what you believe.

Be kind.

To yourself and to others.

To dogs, cats (begrudgingly), and all other animals.

To the Earth.

To everyone and everything

It’s a cliche, I know, especially nowadays where you’ll see yard signs, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and everything else in between. We see it so much that I’m not sure anyone pays attention anymore, or worse, doesn’t bother to put the words in practice. Some people say you should be nice, and others say you should be kind. Both are admirable goals, but being kind is different from being nice. Being nice means to friendly and agreeable. Those are all things we should strive for. But being kind is to be a good and loving person and show and share empathy with others. This is what we are missing in the world today. People have forgotten how to be kind to one another. Vitriol has replaced kindness, and I’m not sure about you, but I want it back.

What does any of this have to do with D&D? Well, in all honesty, not a thing. But in the spirit of the holidays, let’s all try to be kind to one another. Help those in need. Share a smile. If someone cuts you off in traffic, realize they aren’t doing anything to you but for themselves. If that seems too hard, start with something simple. Say please and thank you. Say it to your children. If we want them to learn to say those simple words, lead by example. Say it to your doctor or nurse when you end up in their office with the flu (or worse). They have been working so hard for the past two years. Say it to the person taking your order in the drive-thru line at Starbucks. It’s not hard, and it’s the simple things that are the building blocks to restoring sanity and kindness in our society.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

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