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How can I be truly happy at christmas

  • 20-12-2011 11:11PM
    #1
    Ontological Epistemologist
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭Ontological Epistemologist


    A lot of people say things to me like "Happy Christmas", but I think to myself, how? How can I be happy, truly happy when I see so much suffering and poverty around Christmas? The wandering homeless man, as he roams our streets in the cold of day and night, lonely, moneyless, surrounded by the cornucopia, that vast desert of consumer decadence with its people rushing to Christmas shops to buy items for their loved ones, pillars of a society gone array through material want, and yet he has so little to look forward to, return to, to cherish. Can you really tell me that I can be happy to know that in my warm house with plenty to eat Christmas day, that I can truly be happy knowing that this man roam the streets cold and hungry, without food, without warmth, without loved ones?


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Comments

  • #2
    Kiera
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,130 ✭✭✭✭Kiera


    Invite him over to yours then.


  • #3
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,873 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    Ask Santy for a sense of perspective.


  • #4
    FatherLen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭FatherLen


    this is not a suitable short story submission method


  • #5
    bodhrandude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,325 ✭✭✭✭bodhrandude


    Santa wearing frilly underwear, maybe thats your thing.

    If you want to get into it, you got to get out of it. (Hawkwind 1982)



  • #6
    im invisible
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,372 ✭✭✭im invisible


    Have you seen the old man, in the closed down market, OP?


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  • #7
    laoch na mona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,970 ✭✭✭laoch na mona


    whiskey?


  • #8
    Kevin Duffy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,439 ✭✭✭Kevin Duffy


    You'll be happier when you stop navel-gazing and attempting to vanish up your own arséhole.


  • #9
    knird evol
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,007 ✭✭✭knird evol


    Lots of alcohol of every type and description. Cake. Chocolates. Tins of biscuits. Beer, vodka and presents. Turkey. Alcohol. Chocolate. "helping" one of the kids with their lego constructions. Beer.


  • #10
    Kevin Duffy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,439 ✭✭✭Kevin Duffy


    im invisible wrote: »
    Have you seen the old man, in the closed down market, OP?

    Is he picking up the papers in his worn out shoes?


  • #11
    Chuck Stone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,029 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    Solving the problems of humanity are not within your sphere of influence I reckon so have that extra sprout and drink that extra can and have a nice day.


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  • #12
    Senna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,800 ✭✭✭Senna


    If this "person" makes you question humanity, what are YOU doing to help him?
    A lot of people say things to me like "Happy Christmas", but I think to myself, how?

    Its just a pleasantry, most times i say it i couldn't really care if you have a Happy Christmas or not.


  • #13
    Arianna_26
    Closed Accounts Posts: 304 ✭✭Arianna_26


    Well, there's no point in you sitting at home feeling bad OP.

    Why don't you volunteer to help out at your local homeless shelter on Christmas Day?

    I'm sure they would welcome the extra help :)


  • #14
    chucken1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭chucken1


    Ontological Epistemologist wrote: »
    A lot of people say things to me like "Happy Christmas", but I think to myself, how? How can I be happy, truly happy when I see so much suffering and poverty around Christmas? The wandering homeless man, as he roams our streets in the cold of day and night, lonely, moneyless, surrounded by the cornucopia, that vast desert of consumer decadence with its people rushing to Christmas shops to buy items for their loved ones, pillars of a society gone array through material want, and yet he has so little to look forward to, return to, to cherish. Can you really tell me that I can be happy to know that in my warm house with plenty to eat Christmas day, that I can truly be happy knowing that this man roam the streets cold and hungry, without food, without warmth, without loved ones?[/QUOTE]

    Sadly thats not just at Christmas.


  • #15
    Guill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,332 ✭✭✭Guill


    Good Day,
    Good evening,
    Good Afternoon,
    Good morning,
    Good Night,
    Happy Holidays,
    Bon Voyage,
    How are things,
    Etc.

    How do you dare enjoy anything!?


  • #16
    take everything
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,995 ✭✭✭take everything


    Ontological Epistemologist wrote: »
    A lot of people say things to me like "Happy Christmas", but I think to myself, how? How can I be happy, truly happy when I see so much suffering and poverty around Christmas? The wandering homeless man, as he roams our streets in the cold of day and night, lonely, moneyless, surrounded by the cornucopia, that vast desert of consumer decadence with its people rushing to Christmas shops to buy items for their loved ones, pillars of a society gone array through material want, and yet he has so little to look forward to, return to, to cherish. Can you really tell me that I can be happy to know that in my warm house with plenty to eat Christmas day, that I can truly be happy knowing that this man roam the streets cold and hungry, without food, without warmth, without loved ones?

    Awry.


  • #17
    nibtrix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,305 ✭✭✭nibtrix


    Kevin Duffy wrote: »
    im invisible wrote: »
    Have you seen the old man, in the closed down market, OP?

    Is he picking up the papers in his worn out shoes?

    I've seen him, but in his eyes I see no pride...


  • #18
    aujopimur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,952 ✭✭✭aujopimur


    Bla Bla Bla,a bottle of Jameson = Happy Christmas.


  • #19
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,369 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    Arianna_26 wrote: »
    Well, there's no point in you sitting at home feeling bad OP.

    Why don't you volunteer to help out at your local homeless shelter on Christmas Day?

    I'm sure they would welcome the extra help :)

    They'd be leaving the homeless centres in their droves, and would probably rather die of starvation on the streets.


  • #20
    ThePower11
    Closed Accounts Posts: 553 ✭✭✭ThePower11


    Ontological Epistemologist wrote: »
    A lot of people say things to me like "Happy Christmas", but I think to myself, how? How can I be happy, truly happy when I see so much suffering and poverty around Christmas? The wandering homeless man, as he roams our streets in the cold of day and night, lonely, moneyless, surrounded by the cornucopia, that vast desert of consumer decadence with its people rushing to Christmas shops to buy items for their loved ones, pillars of a society gone array through material want, and yet he has so little to look forward to, return to, to cherish. Can you really tell me that I can be happy to know that in my warm house with plenty to eat Christmas day, that I can truly be happy knowing that this man roam the streets cold and hungry, without food, without warmth, without loved ones?
    SVP will have Christmas dinners for anyone homeless or alone this year like every other year. It's the Governments job to help these people not mine or anyone else.


  • #21
    chucken1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭chucken1


    ThePower11 wrote: »
    SVP will have Christmas dinners for anyone homeless or alone this year like every other year. It's the Governments job to help these people not mine or anyone else.


    And there you have it folks.The true spirit of Christmas!


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  • #22
    RichieC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,331 ✭✭✭RichieC


    indeed. sometimes I envy the right wing for their complete lack of a social conscience. it can be a cursr :(


  • #23
    Kevin Duffy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,439 ✭✭✭Kevin Duffy


    nibtrix wrote: »
    I've seen him, but in his eyes I see no pride...

    Just hands held loosely by his side?


  • #24
    efb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 35,514 ✭✭✭✭efb


    Xanax helps


  • #25
    Ontological Epistemologist
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22 ✭Ontological Epistemologist


    RichieC wrote: »
    indeed. sometimes I envy the right wing for their complete lack of a social conscience. it can be a cursr :(

    The lack of empathy and care for those who have less in life than us, is just one product of the evil that is capitalism.


  • #26
    charlemont
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,725 ✭✭✭charlemont


    I see the op's point as its just a greedfest.


  • #27
    Kanoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,522 ✭✭✭Kanoe


    I just opened a box of celebrations that was a gift for someone else. I haven't had chocolate in two months, maltesers..so happy.

    (op, buy a box of celbrations and pass them around the street next time you're passing, you might look like a tit but you will feel better knowing they have maltesers)


  • #28
    StupidLikeAFox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,915 ✭✭✭StupidLikeAFox


    Hey guys, enough of quoting Ralph McTell songs. This is AH, not the music forum

    Stay on topic


  • #29
    Einhard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,919 ✭✭✭Einhard


    Ontological Epistemologist wrote: »
    The lack of empathy and care for those who have less in life than us, is just one product of the evil that is capitalism.

    Yup, because everything was just peachy in Soviet Russia and present day North Korea, where everyone lived/lives wonderful lives full of joy and happiness, and looking out for one another is the first thought of all. Oh how I yearn for the halcyon days before the nasty capitaists took over with their pernicious influence and misery peddling.


  • #30
    Halle Breezy Mower
    Posts: 81,308 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Halle Breezy Mower


    give away all your food and warm clothes and your house then


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  • #31
    chucken1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭chucken1


    Einhard wrote: »
    Yup, because everything was just peachy in Soviet Russia and present day North Korea, where everyone lived/lives wonderful lives full of joy and happiness, and looking out for one another is the first thought of all. Oh how I yearn for the halcyon days before the nasty capitaists took over with their pernicious influence and misery peddling.

    I could be wrong but I dont think they do Christmas in North Korea ;)


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