Holiday Boycott Thoughts

I see a lot of people posting various memes on social media about not shopping on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, because "everybody deserves a holiday". That's a great sentiment. But I propose a bit more thought be put into it.

If you stop there, you're just doing it halfway. If you won't shop at Sear's, Macy's or Wal Mart because those people deserve their holiday, I hope you don't plan on watching football, either. For every over-paid athlete on the field, how many food vendors, parking lot attendants, janitors, security guards and maintenance people are working that day? Isn't it a bit hypocritical to support the NFL making people work on a holiday while protesting retail stores doing the same thing?

Boycott the NFL on Thanksgiving weekend! College football, too, while we're at it.

Thanksgiving

I don't usually get into the idea of a contrived "I'm thankful for ..." speech/toast/post, but for whatever reason, inspiration took hold just now. So, in no particular order and not complete, here's a quick list just off the top of my head:

• My children; and their laughter, smiles, and hugs
• My Love and her embraces, laughter and smiles
• Voices of relatives on the phone
• Motorcycles
• Good coffee
• Tattoos
• Living in a cool city in a moderate climate
• Brothers and sisters who are related by choice, not by blood
• Both the right and the ability to speak my mind (even if I'm clearer with a keyboard than in person)
• This digital medium to stay in contact with so many people from all aspects and periods of my life

Whatever it is that triggers your gratitude, hang onto it and enjoy it and appreciate it every day, not just today. You never know when some or all of it will be whisked away from you.