Get wise, then get angry. Thats right, realize you have been duped! Somewhere over 20 years ago we were subliminally and even outright herded like cattle into the belief that we can not be happy unless we do THEIR Christmas ritual. It was never ours. Sure, we used to enjoy giving. Thats what it was partly about. The birth of Christ and a time for reflection and giving thanks are the main ingredients. Somewhere along the way with the disintegration of "Blue Laws" and a put business first agenda, they stole the holiday and put us all on the never ending gerbil wheel.

Like brainless lemmings we go about the malls in search of happiness but come January it is only grief. Still we try again next year. After all, isn't it part of the American dream. Sure it is, if your not playing the game you are unsuccessful and unhappy. We are starting to resemble the zombies and ghouls in George Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Roaming the malls from Halloween now ( how appropriate )and camping out overnight for new products and going on coffee binges so we can attack at dawn on Black Friday. You've been duped. It's easy to beat them. Just don't play. Find your own meanings for happiness!

Learn more about this author, The Original Maverick.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Overcoming post-holiday debt?
We want to hear your view. Write now!