How interesting that today is both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and "Blue Monday" aka, "The Most Depressing Day of the Year ". Interesting because Martin Luther King is lauded for his courage, honesty, and unwavering commitment to humanitarianism and social justice. Ostensibly, Americans get this federal holiday off in order to reflect on their own commitment to their community and participate in a do-gooder activity or two. Whether the majority of our American friends actually do that or not is of no consequence to me - it's the purpose for the holiday that I find uplifting, inspirational, and motivational, much like Reverend Dr. King himself.

In stark contrast we have Blue Monday. Accepted by many as the day of the year that has been scientifically proven to be experienced as the most depressing by our society as a whole. What a relief! We now have an excuse to openly say "life sucks" and know that we are not alone. Ah, but here's the thing...Blue Monday is a myth. Really!! I kid you not. Created as a clever little publicity stunt to pimp a travel portal, the myth of Blue Monday spread like wildfire with nary a thought to the validity of the research or the researcher (both incredibly suspect). Our instant acceptance of such a nonsensical declaration may be a result of our very human need to find external and universal factors upon which to blame our misery. While absolving us of any actual accountability for this status, it also robs us of our power and dominion over our own life. Dr. King would be so, so unimpressed.

Well, to each his own. Being the power hungry little Miss that I am, I prefer Mike Strobel's (Toronto Sun Columnist) approach, counting my blessings and making the most of what I've got.