Merry Season of Cooler Weather, Scrooge!

Freedom of speech is a glorious thing, isn't it? We are a nation founded on speaking from orifices other than our mouths, often with self-serving motives. It is no wonder that others less fortunate strive to maintain residency within our borders. We are living the dream!

With all sarcasm aside (merely for a moment, no worries), being able to voice your opinion is genuinely something to be grateful for. I only wish it was used in more of a positive aspect at times. The holidays are here and this year more than any before, I keep encountering people with massive amounts of negativity about how people express their well wishes. If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, "Ugh, I hate when people say Happy Holidays! It should be Merry Christmas!", all of my Christmas shopping would be paid for...and then some!

Have we gotten so jaded and self-righteous that we think everyone else should believe what we believe and celebrate the way we celebrate? It's gotten to be such a touchy issue that many people trip over their own tongues when trying to figure out the acceptable way to wish you a "Merry Season of Cooler Weather".

When someone says good morning, do you instinctively look at your watch, notice it's 12:01pm and shout, "How dare you! It's actually afternoon, you moron!" I sure hope not. So why, when someone is just trying to send you happy thoughts during the holidays, does it become this eggnog pissing match?

Perhaps we can change our way of thinking to realize that they are saying something nice, regardless if it specifically fits our religious or lifestyle traditions. Personally, I celebrate Christmas. But, I welcome the world to wish me a happy Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Wigilia or Kwanzaa. Please know that I will graciously accept your kind spirit and wish you the same.

This is both my free speech and my two-cents. Enjoy!