The holiday season is a time to gather with those whom we love, and share our blessings with those who are less fortunate than we are. The message is simple enough – be content with yourself. Enjoy what you have. Appreciate your family and friends. Celebrate the simple joy of being.
But by the time that Christmas is finally here, most of us are too tired and too stressed out to enjoy the spirit of the season. Add to that the family pressure of what to buy, who goes where, when, and with whom, and many of us are ready to forget the whole thing.
It's little wonder that we're destroying the planet. If we can't hold sacred the things that we hold most dear, how can we be expected to respect the intangibles that sustain life. Fresh air, pure water and a clean environment are concepts that are so overwhelming that most of us simply choose to ignore them because we cannot begin to grasp what it means to take responsibility for them.
Even the celebration of Christmas is tied to our relationship with the Earth. In Roman times, before the division of religion and nature, the pagan celebration of the return of the sun was combined with the early Church's ritual marking the birth of Christ. The passing of the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, was celebrated in a festival of candles and gift giving that offered new hope, both physically and spiritually, for the spring season to follow.
As the winter solstice draws near, our descent into darkness is almost complete. As our tiny planet slowly begins to totter back on its axis, bringing us closer to the sun, we fend off the darkest days in a ritual of light. We defiantly cover our homes, inside and out, with shiny bits of tinsel, sparkly garlands, glass ornaments, and strings upon strings of lights; each one designed to banish the darkness and reflect the light of hope.
This holiday season, try to remember the simple message that brings us together in celebration - Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men. Share the light with those who are less fortunate, practice simple acts of outrageous kindness. Smile at strangers. Be nice to grumpy people – even if they are staring back at you from the mirror! Celebrate the joy and the love that brings us all together.
Share the Joy!
Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference at this time of year:
For the children
When you’re purchasing that last minute “must have” toy – buy a second one and donate it to your local toy drive.
For the poor and forgotten
Commit to emptying your pockets of change every time you see a Salvation Army kettle.
Purchase a bag of hats and mitts and drop them off at your local shelter.
For the elderly
Call your local senior’s residence and see if there is anyone who will be alone for Christmas dinner. Offer to bring them home and share your table.
For the birds of the air
Make strings out of popcorn and cranberries, and create natural tree decorations out of balls of suet or peanut butter rolled in birdseed. Visit your local conservation area or park and decorate an evergreen tree.
For the beasts of the Earth
Donate any used bedding, blankets or towels to your local animal shelter. While you’re there, see if they have a ‘”home for the holidays” program for animals that are abandoned by people leaving on vacation.
For the family of Man
When in heavy traffic, stop and let someone in.
“Pay it Forward” – when you’re buying your morning coffee, pay for the person behind you in the line-up.
Go Christmas carolling in your neighbourhood.
Make some homemade goodies and share them.
Tips for an eco-friendly holiday
Buy local
When produce is shipped hundreds of kilometres to make it on supermarket shelves, it not only increases emissions but has a negative impact on the local economy and crop production. Try to find locally grown or produced items from the turkey to the cranberry sauce.
Grow your own
It may be too late to plant and harvest, think about it for next year. Take the opportunity to sow your imagination with the crops that would enhance your holiday celebrations. Next year, you can be savouring the best of the summer's bounty in cans or from the freezer.
Go vegan
Ditch a meat -- even if it's a staple to your family holiday celebrations. The U.S. Environmental Defense Fund says that if American's substituted a vegetarian dish for one meat dish just one meal per week, the carbon dioxide reduction would be the equivalent to taking more than 1.5 million cars off the road.
Make it better
When you're preparing the family feast, try to save energy and water. Try to keep the oven door closed -- peeking in lowers the temperature and it takes time and energy to heat back up. Use the right size pots and pans to be efficient and cut energy use. Compost leftovers.
— earth911.com, nationalgeographic.com
