Outside Ourselves

Balancing the Christmas act is really difficult. People seem to be much more stressed around this time of year. Walk into any mall and you'll see what I mean. Everyone wants the perfect gift, with the perfect size, and the perfect price. Black Friday has come and gone - showing us just how crazy things are during this season.

A man in New York died unlocking the doors at Wal-Mart because people were more concerned about saving a few bucks than they were about the safety and well being of another individual. Two others were shot at Toys R Us over which toy they wanted to buy. This reminds me of some of the issues middle school teachers deal with.

If you mix common sense and rationale, you'll easily see how crazy (and by crazy, I literally mean "insane") some people are in our society. I'd like to think those 2,000 people who trampled over this man didn't realize he was in serious danger. I don't think it's that people are completely apathetic - I think it's that we are often so selfish that we only see what's in it for us. So many people are willing to do almost anything just to get 20% off.

There's no point of judging the reader because neither you nor I had anything to do with any of these situations. But during this season, that was intended to be one of joy, peace, and love, let us remember to slow down and think about others before ourselves. Let us realize that we have been blessed beyond what we deserve and that we can have the privilege of giving back. Let us all think outside ourselves during this Christmas season.

By the way, if you haven't heard her, check out Clara Lofaro. She's beautiful. KL.