Robinson: How About a Little 'Generosity of Spirit?'

One of the most famous, over-quoted lines in motion picture history is from the 1992 Penny Marshall film A League of Their Own. The quote goes as follows: “Are you crying? There’s no crying in baseball.”

One character declares something to be true, whether it is or not, because it’s humorous. Comedy always trumps fact.

There is no such rule. The umps would have to throw fans out of the game who get misty eyed while singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”  

I bring up this quote today because I feel like I want to walk into the Robinson Township Market District Giant Eagle and scream something similar to the customers of the store: 

“Are you being mean? There is no mean in Christmas!”

Christmas used to bring out the best in people. As a kid you’re constantly being reminded to be nice so Santa will bring you presents. I just don’t understand why once people grow up and become Santa for their kids, they get so mean about the season.

Parents get grumpy and their kids follow. Older people feel ignored and get pushed aside in the hustle and bustle.  

The worst are young and single adults who turn this holiday into a depression session about being alone. If I read one more Facebook post about how people hate the holidays then I am shutting down FB for the remainder of the season.

Here’s a little clue about Christmas: If you hate it you’re doing it wrong. 

Christmas is a simple. It’s about being kind and being generous. People mistake the generous part with consumerism. You can be generous to someone without spending a dime. You can open the door for a stranger at the grocery store. You can clean snow off of your neighbor’s windshield before work one morning. You can make dinner for an elderly neighbor.

There is a holiday movie that I adore called The Family Stone. It’s a holiday must-see. While I’m quoting from movies, here’s my favorite line from that film: “Generosity! Generosity of spirit!”

I love that line. It’s not funny, it’s not original, but it’s simple and true. Christmas is about generosity of spirit and not about buying presents.

Of course, let’s see how I feel on Christmas morning if my stocking is empty. As my mom announces, “I was inspired by your anti-consumerism column so I cleaned snow off of your windshield as a stocking stuffer, rather than getting you a mini iPad."

There’s no crying in baseball, but there is a tad of hypocrisy in humanity.

Perhaps more than a tad. I’m just being generous.