Last week, I couldn’t help but notice a bin full of traditional candy canes at the bulk food store. The next day my morning coffee was presented to me in a seasonal cup. 
   The signs of the season are increasing daily. 
   I’ve not yet noticed the Christmas-themed muzak (or otherwise) filling the retail environment, but then I have not recently ventured into the malls. My consumerism, lately, has been limited to only what is required. 
   I suppose I have enough. 
   I don’t pay attention to the increased advertising by all the stores on television or online. I know it is the nature of business (and the all-important fourth quarter financial results), but it is difficult to comprehend all the happiness and goodwill the merchants are trying to promote for profit’s sake. 
   The constant barrage of lowest-price advertising and must-have items overshadows the message of peace on earth. 
   The excitement and importance of gift-giving  — expressing gratitude and appreciation to your loved ones — seems lost in a ruptured economy where most of us have less to spend. Some of us have enough. Others have nothing. 
   This is the debt we are all paying and the ultimate confusion of the holiday season. 
   Happiness must be found in our humanity, not purchased on credit and paid for later. 

11/06/2023                                                                                     j.g.l.