Wesley S: I love that song!

Most of the stories about Diogenes (the legendary founder of the Cynics) are aprocryphal, but it's said that the foundation of his philosophy was: "We are all responsible for our own happiness; it comes from within, not our external circumstances."

In other words: "You can be happy if you've a mind to. All you gotta do is put your mind to it, knuckle down, buckle down. Do it, do it, do it!"

Ironically, this was also the philosophy of the fictional (and much derided) Pollyanna: That there is something to be glad about in everything, but you have to work to find it, and sometimes, you have to work very hard.

Who would have thought Pollyanna was a cynic? ;-)

If the mainstream Christmas traditions don't make you happy, then start your own traditions! Everything except the movie theaters are closed; telemarketers don't call; many people are inside watching t.v. and playing with their new electronics. December 25 can be a day dedicated to whatever it is that brings you joy. So have a merry that.