This post is going to talk about the need for people to quit whining and start becoming professional human beings.
Lately it seems to be fashionable to write posts about how you can survive Thanksgiving with your family. These posts tend to talk about dealing with judgmental family members or kicking past conflicts under the dinner table. It’s no surprise that these uncomfortable situations come up on Thanksgiving. People are forced to have a meal, hold a conversation, and be generally courteous to our family members.
But while it is no surprise that people feel forced into difficult situations, shouldn’t we put this into perspective? Human beings are forced to have conversations and meals all the time with people they don’t like. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many business lunches I’ve been on where I having a dislike for the person sitting across the table from me. But you don’t see me whine about it. This isn’t because I am a professional and I am paid to be courteous. This is because I am a professional human being and being courteous despite differences is what pro human beings do.
I know I am not the only person in this world that recognizes that there are far worse things in this world than to share a meal with someone.
My family like every family is no stranger to baggage and conflict and bad blood. I disagree with some politically. I disagree with their stances on social issues. We’ve had intense debates on abortion, gun control, immigration, death penalty, public schools, vegetarianism, religion.
Sharing DNA
If I was single these people would not rank on my eHarmony matches. Not even on the last page. But I’m not single. These aren’t strangers. Some share my DNA! Some are loved by those that share my DNA. Some are even just real good friends of people that share my DNA. That makes them more than just strangers on the street. That makes them people that I respect. Every pro human being knows that is way more than enough to celebrate differences and have a good meal with conversation.
I know I know. You are going to tell horror stories of family members that are cruel, say hurtful things, disagree with your lifestyle, just plain mean. Well, boo hoo. Why are you going then? Typically the answer is “well my grandmother would want me there” or “I won’t see them again for awhile”. To which I would reply with, “Then put on your big boy pants (better make them elastic) and deal with it.”
An Alien Attack
You know in alien invasion movies you see people put aside their differences and fight side by side against aliens? They no longer care about their differences, they only care that they are mostly the same (human beings) and they fight together to defeat things that are different (Alien green blood and tentacle mouths). Think about that for a second. Would you not fight alongside your “dreadful” family members if aliens attacked us? That’s one common bond you share to get you started.
So in conclusion, stop being an amateur. Be a professional human being and quit whining about having Thanksgiving with your family. There are way worse things. Be thankful you have a place to go you whiners.
At least you have a meal to eat
Thanks for reading this entire post. I’m trying to help 10 families eat for a month this holiday season. You can donate to my campaign here!
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Gregory Ng
GOAL: Visit 100 National Parks as a family by 2020. Favorite Parks: Zion National Park, Mt Rainier National Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park
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