In the United States, the day after Thanksgiving is officially the first of the Christmas shopping season. More recently, we hear it called a holiday shopping season, as we strive to squeeze one another into a politically correct mold. Whatever year-end holiday one celebrates, however, the shopping season has begun. We have embarked on that journey where mall parking lots become vast oceans of cars ebbing and flowing. We have activated the count-down, and malls froth with weary shoppers, holiday music, and feverish activity.
So what about character at a time like this? Who cares, right?
Sadly, that seems to be the attitude, as many lay aside any pretense of character in the interest of grabbing the last one of those “must have” toys, or snatching a “must have” fashion statement out of another shopper’s reach.
Imagine yourself setting out very early on a day of holiday shopping. You drive to the nearest mall, and circle the parking lot looking for a vacant space. At last you see a spot, and see that you are the only car close to it. You accelerate, and are almost at the spot when another driver, throwing self-control and respect to the wind, lurches into the vacated space before you. “Put your character in action, friend,” you whisper.
You make three more circles. Finally settling for a spot at the far end of the huge lot, you hike to the mall. By the time you get there, you are already tired. You can’t rest yet, though. You have to get to the toy store before it opens. Bobby wants a robotic dinosaur, and they are among the year’s top toys. Jill wants a plush frog that sings – another top seller. You have to buy them while they last. You join the group at the toy store just as the doors open. Inside, you hurry to the robotic dinosaur aisle, and reach for a box. Two large, masculine hands wrest it from your grasp. You sigh and lift the last one from the shelf. As you turn, flurries of hands knock it from your grip, leaving you empty-handed. “What happened to consideration and fairness?” you mutter.
Character counts in Christmas shopping, just as it counts every other day of the year. Take a moment to look at our list of character traits, and you will see that many are vital to a peaceful shopping season. Peace, joy, and love might head your list. Appreciation to retailers would count. Cooperation is essential, too, as you make your way around slower shoppers, and wait your turn at a check-out counter. Decisiveness will save you time, as will efficiency and contentment. Generosity helps as you pass those who are collecting for the needy. Kindness, patience, self-control…. Where does it stop?
Character counts in Christmas shopping because character is, essentially, treating others as you would want to be treated. Exercising character as we interact with other shoppers and retailers will benefit us as well as those toward whom we exercise it.
The wonderful part of character is that, if you have built it strongly into your life before the seasonal shopping rush, it will be much easier to exercise when put to the test.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?