This week’s quote comes from Writing coach Ann Kroeker:

If you’re on Pinterest, why not follow my Pinterest board for these weekly motivational posts? It will be updated weekly, so you can keep track of quotes and inspiration I have found uplifting.

The “War on Christmas” is exactly how privilege works.  Once society moves toward inclusion: Happy Holidays (which includes Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and Festivus).  Those in a privileged position, because they are the dominant group, experience this inclusion as persecution.

It’s not persecution, it’s simply acknowledging others as equally important in celebrating American traditions. Insisting only “your” holiday be acknowledged, as a matter of right, is an unacceptable demonstration of high-handed privilege.

Wishing America was more homogeneous, and that minorities were invisible or of no consequence, is not going to bring back the 1950’s.  We have moved on as a culture and the tide of minority demographics won’t abate.

Isn’t enough that the stores and streets and commercial buildings are flooded with images of Santa, reindeer, candy canes, elves, and Christmas Trees.  Can a small gesture like “Happy Holidays” give some acknowledgement that others celebrate in a variety of different ways.

The (usually) Angry White Male insisting on Merry Christmas is the frustrated cry of someone not willing to share the toys.  Which is antithetical to what Christmas is really about in the first place.

Here’s all you need to know about writing Mythic Heroes, Power of Imagination Heroes, like the ones described by Joseph Campbell.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer…
The Hero’s name is the first word of the story.

had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it you would even say it glows.
The Hero has a distinguishing flaw

All of the other reindeer…
The rest of the community

used to laugh and call him names.
The Hero is wounded

They never let poor Rudolf  join in any reindeer games.
The hero is rejected by the community

Then one foggy Christmas eve…
In a crisis situation, the “normal” characters are powerless

Santa came to say…
Aged, quasi-spiritual. mentor, recruits the reluctant Hero

Rudolph with your nose so bright…
The Hero’s weakness becomes his strength

‘Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight
The Hero leads the community out of danger

Then all the reindeer loved him, and they shouted out with glee…
The Hero is revered by the community on his return

Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history
The Hero lives in our memory

More insights in Howard Suber’s wonderful books.  Check them out HERE