James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
The world is full of pain and neglect. The world is also full of blessed people. No one person can cure it all. But each of us can help our neighbor in distress, one at a time. There are enough of the blessed to take care of the unfortunate. Rather than ruminate on the magnitude of suffering, do your part... The part you CAN do.
You are a gift Erik. As are your words of strength, hope, and even outrage. I get that feeling of hypocrisy as well. I am often depressed and isolated, yet it’s nothing compared to what most of the world has to go through. I’m blessed beyond my ability to comprehend it. You should never feel like a hypocrite because you deliver every day. You’ve reached out to me on many occasions and you don’t even know me. You are truly a gift to me and to others here. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Mike. My hope for being here is that we can all prop each other up. That need is in such short supply around the world and I think it is one our most precious attributes. All of the fighting and ill will just makes for such a boring society when we are capable of so much more beauty.
You capture the complicated mix of joy, grief, gratitude, and discomfort that the holidays stir for so many people, and you do it with real empathy. Centering relationships, shared values, and kindness over things feels grounding and your reminder that people aren’t alone will mean a lot to readers who need to hear it. Thank you for sharing this so openly.
I know Exactly What You Talk About & It’s A Place I Think A Lot About Also ! I Don’t Know What To Think Except: This Morons Head Needs To Be Used As A Door Stop as That’s All It’s Good For Ya Know Like Fruit Cake (the kind w/ candied Fruit ICKY ICKY POOI POOI 🤣 But This Year Is Different 🤬 I Do Understand The Hypocritical Aspect !! It’s Your Family & You Want To Make It Nice 👍 For Them ❤️ Myself ? I’m Going To Have A Couple Shots Of Tequila & Settle In & Hopefully 🤞 Fall Asleep 😴 And Try To Forget Today Altogether!! I Lost My Oldest Grandson At 19 Years Because Of This Other Boy Who Killed Him Over A Girl & The Ga.’s GBI SUCKS !! My Baby Had Asperger’s & He Was So Loved & Didn’t Deserve What Happened & I’m Not Over It 😡 Anyway Too Much Sorry 😢 I’ve Got A Way To Go !! The People On Here Help, Like You 😊 I Don’t Write Anymore as My Thoughts Too Jumbled !! I’m Trying 👍☺️ Have A Great Night Merry Christmas 🎄I Love Almost Everyone But…. ✌️🔥❤️🤗To You And Your Family ❤️
Thank You Honey 👍❤️ I Still Have His Younger Brother & He’s Wanting To Join The Marines 😢 He’s 24 & He Told Me He Needs The Stuctsure ? Don’t Quite Get That Sooo 👅 Hope Your Christmas Was Great 👍 Let’s Hope For Swift Justice 😡🤬 Maybe 🤔 Next Year Will Be A New Beginning 👍👏✌️🤗❤️
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
What a sweet, on target message. The cognitive dissonance has never been greater. Imagine on Christmas Day bombing Nigeria! No one wanted THAT surprise under the tree. As you so well stated, it’s a lonely sad time for millions. Myself included. Your list of the real gifts is priceless. Thank you for the love, we are sending the same love to you and your family.
Erik, while I am not someone who can speak to your life and nature, I empathize with your central themes.
Christmas has long been a font of joy and grief for me. When you travel the world you find much to recommend in other cultures. Likewise, you also find examples of utter contrast that can bring you up short.
The inequality and material excess of America as a nation, finds me thankful and simultaneously exposed by the actinic light of bitter realization.
America is often a self-righteous nation. We have little earned latitude to complain. Our riches, both collectively and individually, by and large, can ultimately be nothing short of embarrasing. Yet, the most damning characteristic is how we wantonly deprive our own people.
But to bring it back to an individual level, I agree most heartily with you: our greatest gifts are in finding concord in empathy, shared humanity and in the quiet grace of honest relationships.
Merry Christmas, Erik and to all the souls you hold dear.
Erik this article is a gift. I wish I could write like you. I wish I had this article a few weeks ago when a reader bitched me out of promoting the Boycott Xmas Economic Slow Down. Said things were bad enough under the tRump regime that boycotting Xmas would make things worse.
Yes the regime is making everything harder for everyone. But the Xmas Economic Slow Down has been a relief for my family. I guess it depends on how you look at it. My children are grown and for years we have been complaining about having too much junk. For years, I personally have been telling people not buy me anything because it willing likely end up in the Goodwill box. Xmas in my family is not about junk. My husband and I provided everything our kids with everything they needed but even when they were little they worked for stuff we didn't consider necessities.
My kids have been consistently working and volunteering since grade school. Telling friends and family that I was boycotting the Xmas holiday shopping season not the Christmas holiday was a big relief for us. Frees up a lot of time and the tension that comes with shopping for others. If my kids were little I would find meaningful gifts for them and use the money I save and do something special with them. Personally, I prefer to spend Christmas with my children and close friends and avoid my big dysfunctional family. We will still be together and cook, craft, sings and play, make a snowman, skate depending on the weather. We will still have our holiday fun without the stress of dealing with MAGA relatives and without all the junk!
I am an unpaid full time caregiver for a grumpy old man with Alzheimer's. My children are medical professionals so we have that goodwill to all and helping others, parts down every day.
Remember Erik's true gifts and if you didn't boycott Xmas this year I highly recommend it for next year!
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
The world is full of pain and neglect. The world is also full of blessed people. No one person can cure it all. But each of us can help our neighbor in distress, one at a time. There are enough of the blessed to take care of the unfortunate. Rather than ruminate on the magnitude of suffering, do your part... The part you CAN do.
And a lawyer asked" "Who is my neighbor?"
Luke 1025-37
It is a dark time but I agree. Each of us can do only so much but as a collective we can change the world.
You are a gift Erik. As are your words of strength, hope, and even outrage. I get that feeling of hypocrisy as well. I am often depressed and isolated, yet it’s nothing compared to what most of the world has to go through. I’m blessed beyond my ability to comprehend it. You should never feel like a hypocrite because you deliver every day. You’ve reached out to me on many occasions and you don’t even know me. You are truly a gift to me and to others here. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Mike. My hope for being here is that we can all prop each other up. That need is in such short supply around the world and I think it is one our most precious attributes. All of the fighting and ill will just makes for such a boring society when we are capable of so much more beauty.
Beautifully written.
Thank you
You capture the complicated mix of joy, grief, gratitude, and discomfort that the holidays stir for so many people, and you do it with real empathy. Centering relationships, shared values, and kindness over things feels grounding and your reminder that people aren’t alone will mean a lot to readers who need to hear it. Thank you for sharing this so openly.
You're welcome
Right On!! The absence of Bad is Good!
Yes, prayed to my mom to keep him safe in heaven until I could be with him again. Thank you for your kind words ♥️
I know Exactly What You Talk About & It’s A Place I Think A Lot About Also ! I Don’t Know What To Think Except: This Morons Head Needs To Be Used As A Door Stop as That’s All It’s Good For Ya Know Like Fruit Cake (the kind w/ candied Fruit ICKY ICKY POOI POOI 🤣 But This Year Is Different 🤬 I Do Understand The Hypocritical Aspect !! It’s Your Family & You Want To Make It Nice 👍 For Them ❤️ Myself ? I’m Going To Have A Couple Shots Of Tequila & Settle In & Hopefully 🤞 Fall Asleep 😴 And Try To Forget Today Altogether!! I Lost My Oldest Grandson At 19 Years Because Of This Other Boy Who Killed Him Over A Girl & The Ga.’s GBI SUCKS !! My Baby Had Asperger’s & He Was So Loved & Didn’t Deserve What Happened & I’m Not Over It 😡 Anyway Too Much Sorry 😢 I’ve Got A Way To Go !! The People On Here Help, Like You 😊 I Don’t Write Anymore as My Thoughts Too Jumbled !! I’m Trying 👍☺️ Have A Great Night Merry Christmas 🎄I Love Almost Everyone But…. ✌️🔥❤️🤗To You And Your Family ❤️
Wow Sheryl, I'm so sorry. Please hang tight. We will get through these tough times. One foot in front of the other!
Thank You Honey 👍❤️ I Still Have His Younger Brother & He’s Wanting To Join The Marines 😢 He’s 24 & He Told Me He Needs The Stuctsure ? Don’t Quite Get That Sooo 👅 Hope Your Christmas Was Great 👍 Let’s Hope For Swift Justice 😡🤬 Maybe 🤔 Next Year Will Be A New Beginning 👍👏✌️🤗❤️
I certainly hope 2026 is better than 2025. I think it will be a very special year. ❤️
I Hope So ❤️
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
Pets are most certainly members of the family. And if there is a heaven, dogs certainly go there! Much love ❤️
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
I do find Christmas to be bittersweet, torn between two worlds; the new and the old. I do think about those that have passed on that are part of my childhood Christmas. I lost my black Labrador dog, Wally, who lived to be almost 15 years old, this last April 20th, 2025. He was a member of our family, one of my best friends. He was diabetic for half his life and received insulin. As I write this, there are tears rolling down my face 😔. He will live on in my heart forever.
He was such a good boy.
I guess I needed this catharsis. Merry Christmas to all and a better New Year.
What a sweet, on target message. The cognitive dissonance has never been greater. Imagine on Christmas Day bombing Nigeria! No one wanted THAT surprise under the tree. As you so well stated, it’s a lonely sad time for millions. Myself included. Your list of the real gifts is priceless. Thank you for the love, we are sending the same love to you and your family.
Thank you so much, love will win in the end!
sending hugs! Forgive yourself first. Then everyone you encounter can experience their own measure of joy!
Erik, while I am not someone who can speak to your life and nature, I empathize with your central themes.
Christmas has long been a font of joy and grief for me. When you travel the world you find much to recommend in other cultures. Likewise, you also find examples of utter contrast that can bring you up short.
The inequality and material excess of America as a nation, finds me thankful and simultaneously exposed by the actinic light of bitter realization.
America is often a self-righteous nation. We have little earned latitude to complain. Our riches, both collectively and individually, by and large, can ultimately be nothing short of embarrasing. Yet, the most damning characteristic is how we wantonly deprive our own people.
But to bring it back to an individual level, I agree most heartily with you: our greatest gifts are in finding concord in empathy, shared humanity and in the quiet grace of honest relationships.
Merry Christmas, Erik and to all the souls you hold dear.
Thanks for sharing. Best to you and yours...
Nice
Erik this article is a gift. I wish I could write like you. I wish I had this article a few weeks ago when a reader bitched me out of promoting the Boycott Xmas Economic Slow Down. Said things were bad enough under the tRump regime that boycotting Xmas would make things worse.
Yes the regime is making everything harder for everyone. But the Xmas Economic Slow Down has been a relief for my family. I guess it depends on how you look at it. My children are grown and for years we have been complaining about having too much junk. For years, I personally have been telling people not buy me anything because it willing likely end up in the Goodwill box. Xmas in my family is not about junk. My husband and I provided everything our kids with everything they needed but even when they were little they worked for stuff we didn't consider necessities.
My kids have been consistently working and volunteering since grade school. Telling friends and family that I was boycotting the Xmas holiday shopping season not the Christmas holiday was a big relief for us. Frees up a lot of time and the tension that comes with shopping for others. If my kids were little I would find meaningful gifts for them and use the money I save and do something special with them. Personally, I prefer to spend Christmas with my children and close friends and avoid my big dysfunctional family. We will still be together and cook, craft, sings and play, make a snowman, skate depending on the weather. We will still have our holiday fun without the stress of dealing with MAGA relatives and without all the junk!
I am an unpaid full time caregiver for a grumpy old man with Alzheimer's. My children are medical professionals so we have that goodwill to all and helping others, parts down every day.
Remember Erik's true gifts and if you didn't boycott Xmas this year I highly recommend it for next year!