Comfort and Joy

There is nothing like a small, intimate community or family gathering. Certainly the dramatic and lavish is enjoyable in New York, but in a city where stress and intensity dominate, immersion into a social activity is a good way to reconnect with humanity, providing a respite from all that is electric.
Historically I have been rather scroogish in my attitude towards Christmas, bristling at its overly commercial nature. But over time, I have softened, and realize that nothing is gained in being a curmudgeon. Why stand alone on principle and isolate yourself, while the rest of the world is busy singing around you? I am not saying that one should throw principle into the wind, but certainly looking for the good is not the worst life approach. So I see holidays as opportunities to celebrate - and there are so many ways and places to celebrate everything imaginable here, both religious and secular. I wrote of this in my posting Let's Have a Parade.
I joined the annual tree lighting ceremony last night in Washington Square Park. In its 82nd year, the ritual actually dates back earlier than the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center. The weather was balmy and drizzly with a small turnout huddled under the arch. Christmas Carol books were distributed for a sing along, guided by a small group of musicians.
Not to be insensitive to the needs of the have-nots, but for most of us there is much truth in Willy Wonka's assertion: "If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it."
New York City is a place of the driven and ambitious. Living here is costly. If you are interested in coasting through life, there are better places to do so. But work and purpose should not define acceptable behavior.
So if you find yourself concerned that perhaps some activity or indulgence is perhaps capricious or not worthy of your time, remember this other morsel of wisdom from Wonka: "A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men." To which I would add a little comfort and joy ...

Photo Note: Click on the photo to see the original green version.