Being Canadian is the greatest gift

Canadians celebrating Christmas should be grateful for the holidays. A time to spend with family and friends, while indulging in the finest treats and feasts. Gift giving and merriment prevail for those celebrating the Yuletide spirit. But, for many Canadians celebrating the festive time of year, there is also heartache with another Blue Christmas near and a sense of overall Bah, Humbug!
Christmas though, is a time to be thankful too. Many Canadians can sit and eat a bounty of a meal and any given time of day. They can go out about the town and come back to their homes. They can drive or use other forms of readily available transportation to travel to and fro. And they have the freedom to be, which is a freedom many Canadians take for granted, it seems. For those, not so fortunate, Canadians hope for the best, while helping those who need it most.
No matter what beliefs or religious affiliation a Canadian has — Canadians should be grateful to have the right and freedom to believe, even if you are a Canadian that doesn’t believe.
No matter if you are a Canadian pro-this or pro-that or against this or against that — Canadians need to be grateful they have the right and freedom to choose a stance, rather than be stifled or told how to think.
No matter if you are left-leaning, right-leaning, in the middle or on the fence with your political beliefs — be grateful you can be a part of a democratic process. Again, another one of Canada’s greatest gifts.
This Christmas, remember why it’s great to be Canadian. Canadians are truly remarkable, we just need to be aware of our ability to be open to the endless possibilities in the years to come.
There will be, what seems to be, chaos and turmoil at times but Canadians always persevere with open arms and a caring heart.
In other parts of the world, rights and freedoms are often trampled on or forced on its citizens from the powers that be.
Canada needs to be careful not to take away one of the country’s greatest strengths — allowing Canadians to be. Being Canadian means having the right and freedom to be this or that and be proud about it.
There is no generalization definition of a Canadian, other than a Canadian can move freely coast-to-coast, believe whatever or choose not to believe, choose a stance or hold a specific political view, have access to social programs including monetary assistance and health care, eat at all-you-can-eat buffets without being judged, be safe and secure in homes and at schools and at work.
Canadians also have the choice to wear toques, eat poutine, play hockey, drink beer, say ‘eh’ and be a role model to the rest of the world.
This holiday season, share the greatest gift, and just be Canadian to one another.