The holiday season (encompassing all the holidays that occur between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, regardless of religion) can be a hectic and exhilarating time of year. A time of year when we can become too introspective, too outer-oriented, too off balance.

During dinner last night, there was a conversation about New Year resolutions and such.

So I’d like to propose a not altogether new concept. Let’s consider giving more than we get, let’s consider altruism over the presents we may receive. In this holiday season, let’s also remember the political times in which we live, how safe and secure we may feel as Americans, but also how beheading a human being has become a far too common sighting on You-Tube than it has ever been, or ever should be.

What insanity has made it okay to hack Sony, terrorize movie-goers, or shine the light of intolerance like a holy sun?

Where has our ‘normal’ gone? More importantly, what can be done to restore and foster the common courtesies of tolerance, compassion, and the not-so-simple act of caring about one another? Is our fear so great that we are willing to let go of what makes us a civilized nation? And if so, what does that mean for our future and the futures of our children and grandchildren?

We are a mighty nation, and a mighty people. Made all the more powerful by our commonalities and diversities.

I think, during the holiday season, Republicans and Democrats and Independents alike, might trash the rhetoric that has become so common and divisive, and find a way to stand united against a common enemy that seems hell-bent on eliminating our values and destroying our nation.

The United States has not stood as a united country in a long time. If we, as Americans, want the freedom to continue celebrating holidays and new years, perhaps the time has come to do exactly that!