Features

The Dreaded Doldrums

Posted on: January 09, 2007

By Kim Ward

As the holidays attempt to become a distant memory, the reality of the over indulgences that normally accompany the celebration sets in. The consequences which go hand-in-hand with the overspending and overeating must now be addressed. The issues of too much weight and too little money which plagues the lives of most Americans during these trying times (the holiday doldrums or post party) requires a sacrifice of energy in short supply to compensate for our holiday misdeeds. All of this due to having little if any impulse control. Because we live in a great country, it is easy to pass fault onto the more deserving thereby voiding all responsibility for the fruits of our labors. It could almost be considered the true meaning of freedom. The kind of freedom that allows us to blame big business for the follies of our mistakes, that’s right, you heard me, it is because of big business I am fat and broke, as any red blooded American would concur.

The evidence can be shown simply by looking at the mass amount of spending that has to be endured during the holidays which are brought on by an onslaught of media madness which begins in July or at least September. When the decorations for Halloween must be sorted out from the Christmas decorations something has gone awry. And then there is the issue of food, every holiday is based on some sort of high caloric intake that could end world hunger if only one celebration where overlooked and possibly save some endangered animal on the verge of extinction. Between the gifts and the food it is amazing if there is any money left over by the end of the year. Meanwhile our pocket books are getting thinner and our waistlines are getting larger. And if there is any money left over from the season of giving it will surely be given up as retribution to get over the aftermath of giving and receiving.

Television and the printed word is chocked-full of advertisement that offer the newest and latest way to lose weight by using the latest chemical or mechanical technological break through that is easily stored under the bed and illegal in parts of Europe. Or get out of debt by refinancing your ex’s house with an interest only third mortgage available to anyone alive or dead depending on your credit rating. It is often offered with a money-back guarantee, a payment program which doesn’t require any payments or four hundred easy payments which easily take the money from your bank account which is exactly the thing you are trying to avoid. The media has set us up to be puppets in their own little conspiracy of making us obese and giving all of our money to them and then giving them all of our money to be thin and get more money. The doldrums begin with the realization of being on the rollercoaster ride that never ends and unable to do anything about it except for dying.

There is one other way to break the cycle; self-discipline being the answer. With that in mind and being in a country where the majority of people believe an over priced pill or a $10,000 staple along with life threatening surgery is the best way to lose weight it may be best to go for having seat belts installed on the rollercoaster. It may help with the constant whip-lash. Self-discipline is overrated anyway, it would require being responsible for what we do. Now what good would that do you (putting aside the word “everything”)?!

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