I suppose there is some conflict when the best things in life are not things, yet your livelihood is based 9n selling people things. We are being told by the experts and authorities that the economy is fine, inflation is under control, and us stupid rubes just don't understand how good we have it. But here in the real world, things are hard. And the hyper-commercialization of Christmas seems even more out of touch than the politicians and pundits.