Normal

A brief passage from Affluenza (p. 36):

Writes columnist Ellen Goodman, "Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to the job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it."

Erich Fromm reminds us about the potential risk of settling for normal: "That millions share the same forms of mental pathology does not make those people sane."

Don't forget! A week from Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is Buy Nothing Day! Celebrate the start of a sane holiday season by NOT going to Wal-Mart or Sears-Kmart or the mall or any other American house of worshop. Think about what you can DO for your family and friends, rather than what you can BUY for them. Chances are they're already buying way more crap than they need--your gifts will only further burden them. Remember, any interest payments you make on your credit cards will likely go to elect even more Repuglicans or fund even more wars. Celebrate the holidays by spending time with, not money on, your family and friends. Get off to a great start by celebrating Buy Nothing Day! (Lots of ideas as to how on the web site)