JOYFUL POST #132
Dealing With Post-Holiday Blues
Many of us are completing the task of taking down seasonal decorations. We are on a downer. As I write this post, the Christmas tree is half undone, its lights no longer gaily flicker, the delusional “magic” created by us is quickly vanishing. The establishment seeks to distract us with bowl games, championships, merchandise sales, all the hollow accouterments of a decadent, affluent, culture. The armed forces could not wait to smell bloodshed, burning gunpowder, and so they savagely attacked another country. The greedy maw of the POTUS is insatiable and salivates at the prospect of slurping up Greenland as well.
If we are looking for joy, we will not find it in the daily news, in conversation with those whose favorite topics are money, wealth, who won the football game, the false gospel of success.
Sages have repeatedly told us to look inside for true riches: compassion, service, love, peace, justice.
If we agree, we must wean ourselves of distractions, of the swan song of “magical” man-made rites and manufactures.
It is human to grieve and lament the conditions created by the blind vote for the current convict POTUS. We must allow ourselves to do so…for a time.
The road ahead in the early days of 2026 is already stained by the blood shed by the innocent, attacked by ICE in Minnesota (Renèe Good) and Oregon.
But we must stay strong and be joyful in compassionately reaching out to the victims and speaking out on their behalf. Find your joy within and resist with good and noble deeds— the alternative is the death of your soul.
Resist the oppression of the POTUS regime with hope, compassion, resilience, and humility— it is the only way to real and lasting joy and sanity.
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Well said, Manuel. It is heartbreaking and infuriating (we need a word for this combo) to see what is happening. Though i am a country away, i've known that very community where Renee Good lived and was murdered. I had a very good friend who lived in that neighbourhood who was an adult educator, college professor and tireless activist for peace and justice. He passed away a while ago though his spirit is still strong in my life. And i can imagine how fiercely he would have been on the line against the violence that the POTUS regime is doubling down on as we speak! Solidarity and love to you and all my beloved friends in the US.
My pastor friend inspired me to keep the tree up until Candlemas, February 2nd. Blessings Manuel.