I think what I'm most thankful for is that the older I get, the more the immature cynic in me dies. I used to be so angry about so much, but for what? It seems like the attitude of the Internet just breeds cynicism. I got sucked in for most of my teenage life, but at 25, at least I'm starting to see life for what it really is (and isn't.) If there's something to be cynical about, it's the negativity of everyone around us. "Let's not enjoy anything, because inevitably someone linked to myself butt****ed someone else." Great attitude that will a) leave me miserable, and b) not benefit anyone, both simultaneously. Seems more selfish than just enjoying yourself blissfully unaware. Self-loathing is so in these days.
Have you ever been to a third-world poverty-stricken area? It isn't pleasant. I've been to Puerto Vallarta twice, but never to vacation; I spent time in the surrounding mountains and poorer areas (i.e. everything that is one block removed from the coastal hotels), talking with and serving people there who literally have no identity, as they are born and abandoned in garbage dumps with no birth certificate of any kind. (Note: didn't type that to elate myself, just to make a point...read on!) Will you find that here when you visit a comparable vacation area? No, you will not. There's poverty here, but not remotely close to that scale. That's something to be thankful for. And while I feel horrible every time I remember the months of my life spent in areas like that, there's no reason to let it ruin my life, as I'm not the one responsible for creating those conditions and situations. I didn't build the Berlin Wall. I didn't enslave Africans. I didn't shoot students in Tiananmen Square. These are horrible, horrible tragedies that have occurred in the history of the world, as well as the USA. And I'm all for a real holiday that would serve as some sort of remembrance/action for undoing the evils others have committed/providing a better life for those in need. More importantly, I'm for more than just one day of this kind of thing. But the fact is, I'm one guy who is trying to make a difference in the world that I can, yet I refuse to let some sort of contrived-guilt ruin for me what others have worked so hard for. That is why I'll eat some turkey with no guilt, and celebrate with the family I get to see once or twice a year.
I don't want to put anyone down here, as most everyone has made valid points; I just want to say life is too short to spend pissing and moaning about things you aren't willing to change/are unable to change. The corruptions of this world are large, and our actions can definitely help change them. But self-protests where you struggle with your own conscience will not help the people in need. Don't serve because it makes you "feel" good; serve others because it is good.
...oh yeah, black friday sucks. Idealistically, I love Christmas. Realistically, meh. I try to find the happy medium.
My mains are 81 undead mage (arcane spec) and 80 tauren druid (dual spec resto/boomkin).
