Remembering People Above Things During The Holidays

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” actually creates chaos and disillusionment for many. I’m sure many of you have heard about the winter blues, and how lonely and depressing the holidays can be without loved ones in your life.

At the risk of sounding like the Grinch, I actually have time to reflect upon a time and place I remember where people would genuinely help each other with the expectation of nothing in return. Yes, a simpler time, where virtuous traits like being appreciative and grateful triumphed over self-indulgence, entitlement, and narcissism.

A time where people mattered more than things…

I was raised to believe that nothing in life is free, or happens by mere happenstance. “Todo en la vida cuesta,” or everything in life has a cost, my dad would always wisely say. Perhaps I am mistaken, but unless one lives in solitary confinement or castaway on an island, there is no such thing as a self-made person. Someone contributed to your success. The fact that you’re reading this blog serves as a gentle reminder that a teacher made it possible.

After obtaining my first degree, I felt entitled to obtain a job. I believed that since I pulled all-nighters, worked during school, and earned my rite to passage, I deserved a nice job. I even remember foolishly making fun of my sister for not making a six-figure salary after she graduated. Shouldn’t a college degree mean one progresses and becomes successful?

Then, crash!

A dose of reality hit my naïve sense of inflated self-worth and entitlement. After months of rejections upon rejections of jobs, reality struck that I would have to work temporarily (hopefully) in a job that didn’t require much education nor offered those awesome perks like paid vacations and insurance. I was in disbelief that I would have to return to jobs that I did while in college. Surely I deserved more and was “better” than working in menial labor jobs?

Though I thought it was the end of my world at the time, those unfortunate circumstances actually changed the way I viewed people, and things. Although I am not perfect as anyone who really knows me can attest, I strive to be appreciative of every single opportunity I’ve been awarded — no matter how small. But most importantly, I am thankful for all those people and not things that have made life meaningful and with purpose. It’s amazing how unanticipated realities like job loss, underemployment, and unemployment can bring the strongest person to his or her knees. Those are the times when I feel self-reliance can only carry me to limited heights.

People, on the other hand, who have believed in me when I didn’t know myself, or even believed in who I was, are true life savers.

Following my dad’s example of altruism, or striving to serve and do good for others, I voluntarily taught English to adult English Language learners. It was through this experience that the students became my teachers. I was amazed at how their faces would light up with glee as they learned basic grammatical rules. I realized that their sense of accomplishment and satisfaction did not derive from things, but instead from each other as they worked collaboratively to learn a new language.

With this holiday season just a few weeks away, I combine both Thanksgiving and Christmas as times where I thank all those who have helped me on this journey called life and I proudly pay it forward. Feliz Navidad. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!