Dear Friends,
In these stressful times we all need to step back and think a bit about how we relate to others and be kind to them. Kindness in all things could be a mantra for next year!
Recently, I have experienced some weird feelings about wishing anyone seasonal good feelings about anything except “Happy Friday!” I am a longtime Christian who doesn't want to offend as it would be considered bad manners.
I realize that is likely some flaw in my character, or my brain, which I can blame on my parents, my mood, or some undigested Christmas cookie. So, I shall attempt here to spread some cheer without emotional repression.
Of course, you may feel free to emotionally repress any thoughts you have. At my age, I am grateful to have anything in my head at all so will not repress nor feel guilty about it, only grateful. This is a multiple choice, apolitical greeting and entirely your responsibility to respond any way you want to. Or not.
A. To my Democrat friends:
Please accept with no obligation (implied or implicit) my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive and in all respects a generally neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced humbly and inexpensively within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (or secular practice of your choice) with great respect for the religious secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, and also their choice not to practice religious or secular celebrations at all. Especially when in a hurry, where all manner of errors can occur, despite government studies and regulations designed to prevent them.
Inappropriate package wrapping paper (paper cuts) is one example of this. Note that I capitalized properly the word Democrat; feeling considerable relief thereby.
I also wish you most heartily a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2024 - but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country) nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also this greeting is gladly made without regard to the age, race, creed, skin color, (or lack of it - a friend in high school was an albino and proud of it). Additionally, I include sports team preference, annual net-worth statement, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference (regardless of naturally or otherwise acquired gender). Further the greeting is to you, personally, not your friends.
Since it is primarily a greeting without any particular need to acknowledge it, no acknowledgment that I made it is necessary. Just enjoy!
Hearty Cheers to You!
B. And to my Republican friends, including RINOs reluctantly, but mercifully:
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year in 2024!!!
C. PS to Libertarians. Also, inclusively, to the Intentionally Undecided Party or Party of the Perpetually Puzzled:
Whoopee!
D. Small Tips
(A modified version of this greeting may be useful if you are polled by a political organization in the coming year. Feel free to copy and duplicate it as a handout - (it may confuse them long enough to shut the door.)
If carefully read, it will answer many of their questions as is, but has not been copywrited so you are “The Man” if you change anything. Nonetheless, change anything you want without fear. I don't know where you are, am meek and mild, and I cannot even get my cat to do what I want, nor my HP printer.
As a final and very important admonition for an election year: don’t answer any polls, letters from Congressmen or Congresswomen, Congressperson, or anything like that. Just eschew and discourage such activity. They have enough to do and appear to be overloaded at the moment with choices no one likes anyway. It will NOT help you at all and just fritter away time. (Go vote in November. That's it).
When you finish reading this, take a nice walk and enjoy the air and sunshine. Be kind to everyone you meet except dogs not on a leash.
It's a New Year. Life is Good! In fact it is a miracle to be lived. Thanks for reading all these blogs over the past year. I will be reproducing and publishing them in book form as an inexpensive sleep aide. Stay tuned - next letter in January 2024.
Happy Days Ahead
Joe Grant, MBA
Certified Retirement Coach
Contact me for a Free 45 minute Consultation at https://yourvantagepoints.com