For many years, Christmas Eve found me assembling toys, inserting batteries, wrapping gifts, and filling stockings into the wee hours of the morning. A favorite holiday movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” would air on a local television station, keeping me company. There I’d be, hunched over a sea of wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape, eyes blurred with tears, nose running, quietly weeping so as not to wake those slumbering with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.
Lately, it’s felt as though I have been transported to an altered state of existence, reminiscent of the sequence in “It’s A Wonderful Life” when George Bailey wished that he’d never been born and finds himself trapped in Pottersville. He discovers the people he knew and loved have degenerated into the worst versions of themselves, becoming bitter, greedy, and cruel. Lining the streets of the once charming town are businesses catering to all manner of human vice.
In a world without George Bailey, Henry Potter managed to destroy every shred of decency and humanity that had characterized Bedford Falls. In the absence of George Bailey, Potter capitalized on people’s fears, distrust, ignorance, anger, and desperation, thereby establishing complete dependence on him. Without the conscience, integrity, courage, empathy, generosity, and loving kindness of George Bailey, Potter’s quest for power and control went unchecked.
Henry Potter had anything money could buy. But no matter how much financial success he achieved, it was never enough. No amount of money could fill the emptiness in his life. What galled him most was to see George Bailey, a hard-working man barely scraping by, yet surrounded by a loving family, loyal friends, as well as the admiration and respect of everyone who knew him. Rather than exert any effort to improve his own life, he set out to destroy George Bailey’s.
Whereas George looked for the best in people, Potter capitalized on the worst in people. While George appealed to their sense of charity and fortitude, inspiring them to discover these qualities in themselves, Potter preyed upon their insecurities, exploiting their weaknesses, which more readily served his selfish purposes. George discovered that in the presence of genuine caring and community, people strive to achieve high standards. Potter operated in the realm of self absorption and base desires counting on people to stoop to his lowest expectations.
These two opposing approaches to wielding personal influence have been observed in recent months. What is abundantly clear is that if we allow ourselves to become disillusioned, when faced with disappointment, it is easy to slip into self pity and despair. By doing so, we make ourselves vulnerable to those who would gladly lead us down a destructive path. When the Potters of the world spew their paranoid, hateful, divisive messages in their effort to convince us that what is easy is what is best, we must resist.
When I become overwhelmed by challenging situations, it is tempting to alleviate my anxiety by declaring, “I just don’t care!” It’s easier not to care. It relieves any sense of personal responsibility for improving the situation. But not caring creates a false sense of security that can be dangerous. Not caring leads us to do and fail to do things that may have devastating consequences. Indifference allows that which is inexcusable to become normalized. Therefore, it is necessary to care more and do more to make up for those who choose not to care.
Now’s the time to rise up, determined to stay alert, be smart, take action, and work harder to create the conditions necessary for the preservation of a healthy future for our children, ourselves, and our planet. We have reached a critical time in our history when we must choose between what is good and humane and what is easy. Choosing to do what is good and humane, challenges us to think globally while living locally. It calls us to live in a present that is informed by the past and mindful of the future.
George Bailey discovered he had a wonderful life, not because of what he had, but because of what he gave. In its purest form, giving expects nothing in return. Giving is its own reward. The care and love George unselfishly shared inspired hope, inviting others to find the courage to care and love as well. His greatness was the sum of his deeds. His wealth was measured in devoted family and friends. May we all find ourselves surrounded by such riches during the holidays and throughout the year ahead.
