In Praise of Online Shopping

I decided, after the multiple shootings on innocent shoppers and churchgoers, to stay home during the busiest shopping days of the season. I opted to shop in my pjs and bunny slippers right from the comfort of my living room. What a total difference! I have retained my Christmas cheer! I haven't had to stand in line, look for parking, be elbowed by Bargain Marge trying to beat me to the register, have to wrestle with doors and a stroller, bags, coffee, sippy cup, diaper bag...ETC! And most importantly, I was at no risk of being shot by a crazy a-hole.

I have decided that Christmas time is a very dangerous time for the lonely souls. Loneliness increases in intensity at this time of year which is so centered around loving family gatherings and friends coming to call. But for those who don't have family or friends...well, some of them end up shooting shoppers. And if any of you lonely souls are reading this, let me encourage you to go out and do things for others. It's amazing how when we stop focusing on ourselves and our troubles how much happier we become. There are churches in every neighborhood running food drives and coat drives, soup kitchens in need of help, after school programs for kids, there are so many ways to help other people less fortunate than you.

I have a theory that people would be a lot less willing to commit such heinous crimes if they had any experience with serving other people. I believe such acts like the Columbine shooting and others, occur because of a selfishness so deep and so all-encompassing, the perpetrators cannot empathize with anyone.

I believe we are facing a generation coming up now who has a serious lack of empathy because they are extremely spoiled and not required to serve anyone but themselves and their own wants. I read an op-ed a long time ago in defense of mandatory public service for two years after high school before one can be admitted to college. The service would include, but not be limited to, the Armed Forces, Americorps, Freedom Corps, Peace Corps and the like. I think this is a terrific idea.

Perhaps selfish teens would get some real experience empathizing with the needs of others and become less able to pull the trigger on a neighbor.